{"id":91088,"date":"2020-05-23T03:33:39","date_gmt":"2020-05-23T03:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/protest-over-public-health-orders-sweeps-through-downtown-durango\/"},"modified":"2020-05-23T03:33:39","modified_gmt":"2020-05-23T03:33:39","slug":"protest-over-public-health-orders-sweeps-through-downtown-durango","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/protest-over-public-health-orders-sweeps-through-downtown-durango\/","title":{"rendered":"Protest over public health orders sweeps through downtown Durango"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"About
About 200 people gathered Friday evening in downtown Durango to protest public health orders aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

About 200 people gathered Friday evening in downtown Durango to protest public health orders aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

What was originally said to be a peaceful walk down Main Avenue to promote local businesses turned into a rambunctious rally that paraded through downtown Durango around 6 p.m.<\/p>\n

The organizer, La Plata County rancher John Avery, said this week the event was not a protest to the public health orders. During a speech Friday, however, Avery decried actions by the government as a violation to the constitution.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have we become, to let ourselves be governed and treated like cowards?\u201d Avery asked the crowd. \u201cThis is our time to be strong. Take a stand. Don\u2019t be afraid. Don\u2019t let fear rule your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The rally started at the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad\u2019s parking lot near McDonald\u2019s, with groups of people gathered without masks and not social distancing. Many people had \u201cDon\u2019t Tread on Me\u201d flags and Trump 2020 swag.<\/p>\n

The Durango Police Department had a strong presence in the parking lot. Authorities said this week they would take an educational approach, not an enforcement-minded stance.<\/p>\n

Brice Current, deputy chief of DPD, said there was only one flare up when a counter-protester coughed on a person attending the rally. The man was not ticketed and told to leave, though Current said he could be ticketed at a later time.<\/p>\n

Other than that one incident, Current said the rally went relatively smooth.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe always prepare for the worst, and hope for the best,\u201d he said. \u201cIt went pretty well, and everyone seemed super respectful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A
A walking rally that started near McDonald&#x2019;s on Friday evening included about 200 people going north on both sides of Main Avenue.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

After Avery\u2019s speech, the crowd walked north on Main Avenue. Cars honked horns, people shouted at the protesters, both in support and opposition.<\/p>\n

Misti Witt, who lives in southeast La Plata County, said she participated in Friday\u2019s event, in part, to protest the city of Durango\u2019s requirement to wear face coverings in businesses and places that can\u2019t maintain social distancing, which went intro effect Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s not just about face masks,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s about taking away an individual\u2019s right to chose what is best for themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heath Rowe, a La Plata County resident, said he doesn\u2019t have an issue with wearing a mask. But, he said it\u2019s not the government\u2019s place to make it a requirement. And, he added people have been taking issue with a range of orders that have shut down the economy.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople are feeling frustrated about everything,\u201d he said. \u201cThe masks have just been the tipping point.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"About
About 200 people gathered Friday evening in downtown Durango to protest public health orders aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"John
John Avery speaks to about 200 people who gathered Friday evening in downtown Durango to protest public health orders aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus.<\/span>Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Clark McKay, also a La Plata County resident, reiterated much of the same.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are they taking healthy people and restricting them from living a normal life?\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s frustrating because I think the government is pushing us and pushing us. We\u2019re definitely getting away from a free country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Local health officials say previous public health orders that asked people to stay at home and closed businesses deemed nonessential were effective in flattening the curve of the coronavirus.<\/p>\n

As of Friday, La Plata County was reporting 76 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and zero deaths because of the virus. One person who died had tested positive for the disease, but died of congestive heart failure.<\/p>\n

But now that those regulations are being relaxed, with more businesses opening and tourism picking up, officials have voiced concern cases could increase. As a result, face coverings are seen as an effective way to help slow the spread as the economy reopens.<\/p>\n

A recent survey of 355 or so Durango businesses found that 65% of store owners supported a face-covering mandate.<\/p>\n

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