Photos: Operation Gridlock Protest
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Flying an American flag upside-down, a protester joins others at the state capitol in Albany on Wednesday afternoon. Similar protests have been held across the country by conservatives and right-wing groups wanting to end the measures taken to control the spread of coronavirus.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“Stop Ruining My Senior Year,” says a sign held aloft by Ali from Long Island while her mother, Janice, holds her own sign. They declined to give their last names but were among protesters from across the state who gathered in Albany Wednesday as part of an “Operation Gridlock” movement promoted through social media.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
“Quarantine the Sick, Not the Healthy!” says a sign held by a youngster joining in the protest at the state capitol on Wednesday. New Yorkers have been told to stay home because the coronavirus is often spread by people who are asymptomatic; they can feel fine as they pass along the disease without knowing they have it. COVID-19 is most lethal for the elderly and those with underlying health issues.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Social distancing — as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — was not observed Wednesday afternoon as protesters crowded in front of the state capitol. They demanded an end to the “pause,” declared by the governor, which shut down schools and nonessential businesses until May 15 to flatten the curve of coronavirus infections, which had the potential to overwhelm the health-care system.
The Enterprise — Michael Koff
Many of the signs, like this one — “Cuomo is the Virus” — were directed at New York’s governor as a group dubbed “Operation Gridlock” protested in front of the state capitol on Wednesday afternoon. No one from inside the capitol responded.