AUSTIN SOURS

Crowd of lockdown protesters chant ‘Fire Fauci’ in Texas as governors feel heat from fed-up locals and Trump

Patrick Knox

Published: 19:18, 18 Apr 2020
Updated: 12:12, 19 Apr 2020

A protest against coronavirus stay-at-home orders was held outside the Texas Capitol building Saturday, a day after Donald Trump urged supporters to “liberate” states from their lockdowns.

Waving placards and flags, some demonstrators chanted "Fire Fauci,"; calling for Trump to remove the man leading the White House task force against the virus.

Infowars' conspiracy theorist Alex Jones leads protesters calling for and end to the lockdownCredit: Reuters

claiming he is part of a "deep state" conspiracy against Trump racking up 6million views.

The viral footage is rife with misinformation about Fauci and .

Austin was one of several cities that saw protests on Saturday.

The exact reopening date will be at governors' discretion

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The FDA chief saying the

About two dozen Austin police and Texas Department of Public Safety officers were deployed.

Protesters say the lockdown, which curbs the spread of coronavirus, is hurting citizens by stifling economic activity.

The US is currently the coronavirus outbreak epicenter, with 709,202 cases and 37,135 deaths.

Globally, some 2.2million people have tested positive and nearly 157,000 have died.

People attending the rally ignored social distancing measuresCredit: AFP

Some protesters wore full burkas to make their pointCredit: Heather Chambers

At least this protester had a protective headgear onCredit: Reuters

The rally was held a day after Trump encouraged lockdown protesters in a series of tweetsCredit: AFP or licensors

Protesters hold up a sign in front of the Texas State Capitol buildingCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Infowars founder Alex Jones interacts with supportersCredit: Getty Images - Getty

This demonstrator makes his point against the social distancing ruleCredit: AFP

Gov Abbott has already said that restrictions will begin easing next week, while Indiana Gov Eric Holcomb who signed an agreement with six other Midwestern states to coordinate reopening said he would extend his stay-at-home order until May 1.

Meanwhile, infections kept surging in the Northeast.

Rhode Island, sandwiched between the hot spots of Massachusetts and New York, has seen a steady daily increase in the number of infections and deaths, with nursing home residents accounting for more than 90 of the state's 118 deaths.

One protester offered "free hugs" and said she didn't need a mask because she had "an immune system"Credit: Heather Chambers

Vehicles of supporters of the group 'Reopen Maryland' fill Church Circle to protest the state's on-going stay-at-home order due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic in Annapolis, MarylandCredit: EPA

Its death rate of around 10 people per 100,000 population is among the highest per capita in the nation, according to data compiled by the COVID Tracking Project.

Massachusetts had its highest number of deaths in a single day yesterday with 159.

Republican Gov Charlie Baker said it would be premature for states to begin lifting restrictions when deaths are still climbing.

Citing the advice of health experts, he said states should look for infection rates and hospitalizations to be on the decline for about two weeks before acting.

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