Orange County, Calif. — City residents along the ocean protested throughout the weekend following California Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) order to close down beaches in Orange County after a large showing of people going out and enjoying the ever-increasing warm weather.
Newsom ordered the closures because government officials are concerned people congregating will undo the weeks of lockdowns to slow the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus. Citizens have pushed back on the worry, saying they can maintain social distancing while on the beach, pointing to how COVID-19 does not survive long out in open hot climates.
Protests broke out on Friday and continued to occur on Saturday and Sunday, with the largest occurring in Huntington Beach on Friday.
WATCH: Large crowds gathered in Huntington Beach to protest the closure of Orange County beaches -- which Gov. Gavin Newsom closed because of large crowds at area beaches. https://t.co/FuksIg1cmJ pic.twitter.com/QInDR5Dt80
— NBC 7 San Diego (@nbcsandiego) May 1, 2020
On Saturday, protesters in Laguna Beach showed their ire toward Newsom for singling out Orange County. One person rented out a U-Haul truck and posted a large banner comparing Newsom to German dictator Adolf Hitler.
BREAKING: Laguna Beach protesters have gone through net barricades and are now demonstrating on the beach. Man on loudspeaker: “Open up the beaches or we will open them up ourselves!” Police are keeping an eye and letting them demonstrate on sand. All peaceful. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/ghrhjp09VR
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 2, 2020
Someone rented out a U-Haul here at the Laguna Beach protest to drive this anti-Newsom sign through the streets. Other signs read : “Remember in November!” @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/j1l47YilBk
— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 2, 2020
Sunday saw fewer, but still just as agitated, protesters in Huntington Beach. Signs held by the wannabe-beach goers read, "Shut down the shutdown" and "Not about Trump — It's about Nazi Newsom and the U.S. Constitution."
Townhall Media/Julio Rosas
Townhall Media/Julio Rosas
Police were using helicopters and loudspeakers to tell people on the beach they were violating the state order.
Helicopters patrolling Huntington Beach ordering people indoors. Is this America? pic.twitter.com/YxdSSfhqq3
— Michael Knowles (@michaeljknowles) May 3, 2020
To ensure people were complying with Newsom's order, police officers blocked the beach's parking lots and set up traffic cones in parking spots near the beach.
Townhall Media/Julio Rosas
The story was slightly different in nearby Newport Beach. While there were signs informing residents the beach was closed, people simply ignored it and went on to enjoy the sun. Police and lifeguards still had to ask people to leave, around 4,500 on Sunday, but some still stayed, according to The OC Register.
