Protests in Alabama

Protests in Alabama

I'm dan shaffer.

We have team coverage this afternoon on the health and economic impacts of the coronavirus.

Today - huntsville mayor tommy battle shared some insight into what the re-opening process looks like.

During today's briefing -- battle said it will be a team effort between healthcare providers, business owners, and the community.

He also warned us it won't be a quick process.

He's focused on making sure everyone stays healthy as alabamians go back to work.

There's not an non-essential business in the state in my opinion.

Every business is essential.

And trying to get them back to work as we can as responsibly as we can do it."

At the same time as battle was addressing the media - there was a demonstration calling for businesses to open now!

It wrapped up just hours ago outside the courthouse.

Waay 31's casey albritton was there - and joins us live now with how people on both sides of the issue are responding to the rally.

About 20 people gathered here on these steps in front of the madison county courthouse-- chanting things like "open alabama" and "we dare to defend our rights."

Others who passed by told me they disagree with these messages.

Donny letson/ protestor "we want to have our freedoms back and to make our own choices about how we live our lives."

Karen lower/ protestor "it's time that we reopen the economy and get people back to work.

They want their jobs.

They're hurting right now."

People from across north alabama gathered in front of the madison county courthouse on monday- arguing that the state should re-open.

Donny letson/ protestor "we know the virus is bad but we do take precautions.

We have and we didn't need the governor to tell us to lock us down."

Rally organizer, justin armstrong, told me he worked at a gym in athens that's shut down during the stay at home order.

He told me he filed for unemployment recently.

But - he says he was denied and is now struggling to take care of his family.

Justin armstrong/ rally organizer "that's my job as working there is to make sure my clients are safe.

Give me that opportunity or make sure i and my clients are paid and taken care of so we aren't struggling for food."

But others walking by, told me they were shocked to see the rally.

Andrew piper/ huntsville resident "a lot of people are being harmed and they're dying from this virus and the idea that people want to re-open and put people at risk...why would you want to do that?"

And said that medical professionals should be the ones making decisions for the state.

Ray sivley/ huntsville resident "it's massively arrogant for me to assume that i know more than medical experts about the actions and how the human body contracts and deals with disease."

Protestors say they want local representatives here in huntsville to respond to their actions-- and for the state to open up completely by may first.

Live in huntsville, casey albritton, waay