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Several large anti-lockdown rallies took place across the country Friday
Protests were held in New York City, Chicago, Raleigh and Sacramento
Thousands of protesters turned out demanding an end to stay-at-home orders implemented to stem the spread of COVID-19
Many held American flags and signs supportive of Donald Trump; some protesters brandished semiautomatic weapons
Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

Published: 15:22 EDT, 1 May 2020 | Updated: 17:02 EDT, 1 May 2020

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Thousands of protesters have again taken to the streets calling for an end to stay-at-home orders issued amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Anti-lockdown rallies took place across the country Friday in places as far flung as Raleigh, North Carolina; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Huntington Beach, California.

While lockdown protesters have been framed as pro-Trump conservatives, large, passionate rallies were also held in large, liberal cities across the U.S. Friday.

Hundreds turned out for a rowdy march in Chicago, while demonstrators also assembled in New York City and Los Angeles.

Attendees defied social distancing protocols and brandishing, guns, flags and signs calling for 'freedom'.

Anti-lockdown rallies have increased in size and intensity over the past week, as many Americans revolt against order to stay home to stem the spread of COVID-19.

As of Friday, more than one million Americans have contracted the contagious virus, and more than 63,000 have died.

Still, anti-lockdown protesters claim the long-term effects of shutting down the economy will be more damaging than the actual virus itself - and are demanding state governments reopen businesses.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets at demonstrations across the country ordering an end of to government mandated lockdowns issued amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: A group of young men held semiautomatic weapons as they marched towards the city's Old Capitol Building

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Protesters from 'ReOpen California' are removed from the steps of the Capitol by California Highway Patrol officers as they demonstrate outside the State Capitol despite being refused a permit

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Hundred turned up to a 'We Have Rights' rally in Los Angeles, where demonstrators appeared to tussle with police

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: L.A. lockdown protesters descended upon City Hall, and unfurled graphic banners that took aim at Governor Gavin Newsom

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: One protester shielded his face with an American flag bandanna

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Despite being the US epicenter of the coronavirus, a noisy demonstration was held in Downtown Manhattan Friday

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS: There was a large turnout at an anti-lockdown rally in Chicago, with many ignoring advice to wear face masks in public

HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA: One man clad in a camouflage stood at the steps of the Pennsylvania State Capitol waving an American flag

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI: Don Hartness, organizer of Reopen Mississippi, addresses people gathered at the Capitol in Jackson Friday

COMMACK, NEW YORK: One elaborately dressed protester turned out to a rowdy rally in upstate New York

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Protesters are pictured at a rally in Huntington Beach, which has long been a Republican enclave in largely liberal Southern California

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Many protesters believe the economic impacts caused by the lockdowns will be more devastating than the COVID-19 virus itself

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Protesters from 'ReOpen California' demonstrate outside the State Capitol

Raleigh, North Carolina

Several rallies have been held in Raleigh in recent days, with protesters urging North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to lift lockdown orders which have been extended until May 8.

But on Friday, nearly a dozen armed men marched towards the Old Capitol Building in defiance of social distancing recommendations and pleas to stay home.

Several members of the group openly brandished semi-automatic weapons as they made their way to the building.

According to the News & Observer, the men were told they cannot protest while openly carrying their firearms.

'We were told we can't use our 1st Amendment and our 2nd Amendment at the same time. We'll be back on Tuesday to do the 1st,' one told the publication.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: Several protesters openly brandished semi-automatic weapons as they made their way to the building

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: The group were told by officers they were unable to protest while simultaneously openly carrying their guns

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA: 'We were told we can't use our 1st Amendment and our 2nd Amendment at the same time. We'll be back on Tuesday to do the 1st,' one protester stated

New York City, New York

A crowd of protesters gathered in Downtown Manhattan flying American flags and loudly chanting for the state to reopen - despite the fact hundred of residents are still dying from COVID-19 each day.

New York City is the nation's coronavirus epicenter, with more than 170,000 confirmed infections and more than 13,000 deaths.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has extended lockdown through May 15, with New York City likely to stay closed for weeks longer.

The angry protesters ignored mandated rules to wear masks in public as they marched down to city's eerily empty streets on Friday morning.

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A crowd of protesters gathered in Downtown Manhattan flying American flags and loudly chanting for the state to reopen - despite the fact hundred of residents are still dying from COVID-19 each day

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: One Trump supporter brandished a sign which ordered her fellow NYC residents to 'Wake Up'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A handful of protesters marched down the eerily empty streets of Downtown Manhattan Friday

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A masked police officer makes his way through a crowd of 'MAGA May Day' anti-lockdown protesters

Sacramento, California

Around 400 people turned out in Sacramento for a 'ReOpen California rally, with many protester creating posters and placards that criticized Governor Gavin Newsom who has ordered state residents to stay home as coronavirus cases continue to increase.

One woman even held up a sign which featured a swastika and read 'Welcome to NaziFornia'.

Several demonstrators clashed with police officers outside the California Capitol Building on Friday, after they were refused a permit to protest.

Uniformed officers were seen holding back several loud angry attendees on the steps of the building.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA: Several demonstrators clashed with police officers outside the California Capitol Building on Friday, after they were refused a permit to protest