SALT LAKE CITY — Approximately 100 people stood on the steps of the Utah State Capitol building to rally against COVID-19 restrictions Thursday night.
They argue that masks and business mandates do more harm than good.
Rebuffing public health requests to wear masks and socially distance, the group argues the real danger is the decisions coming from the state capitol.
“Nothing more important than this, standing up for our rights and our freedoms,” said Russell Alley.
Protestors took issue with Governor Herbert’s mask mandate in Summit and Salt Lake Counties.
“I feel like that should be a choice,” said Alley.
“If there is less than 1% chance dying from this, give me my freedom and give me my life,” said Jeena, who declined to give her last name.
"We are probably in a lot more risk of dying in a car accident and driving here instead of getting COVID-19 here and dying,” said Robyn Openshaw who organized the event in two days.
Several speakers argue that it’s an individual’s personal liberty to wear a mask or not.
As daily COVID-19 cases continue to climb, the group did not want to see small businesses close again to slow the spread of the virus.
“I care about small businesses in utah. They are the backbone of our state,” said Openshaw.
“I really believe that the tyrannical, fascist shutdowns are hurting our economy and it terrifies me,” said “Miss MAGA.”
Similar rallies are being planned in the coming weeks.