Protesters in Newport Beach demand reopening as coronavirus closures keep on
A small band of demonstrators gathered outside Newport Beach City Hall Monday morning to protest coronavirus-driven stay-at-home orders.
About 30 people took to the sidewalk for the protest, which lasted less than two hours. Police reported no issues.
The protest was one of several over the last few days, around the region and throughout the country, as people push back against restrictions that have been in place statewide for more than a month to stem the spread of the potentially deadly COVID-19. But the unprecedented, widespread closures of schools, “nonessential” businesses and leisure and tourist attractions have taken a deep gouge out of the economy.
Close to 200 people gathered in downtown H.B. Friday to protest the ongoing social and economic restrictions that are part of city, state and national efforts to suppress and control the COVID-19 pandemic.
At a 200-person gathering in Huntington Beach Friday, protesters decried the economic damage and chafed at restrictions on personal liberties. Others challenged the seriousness of the virus and called the efforts at control overkill — counter to California public health officials and many medical workers nationwide. A similar demonstration took place in San Clemente on Sunday.
Newport’s significant hospitality industry is largely shuttered and several coastal amenities are also off-limits or heavily restricted, including boardwalks, piers, beach parking and the famed Wedge surfing area.
As of Monday, Orange County had 1,676 known cases of the coronavirus and 33 related deaths among 31,715 cases and 1,179 deaths statewide.
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