Protesters In Commack Demand Economy Reopens

COMMACK, NY — People gathered in Commack Friday afternoon and rallied that New York State reopen its economy, which has been effectively halted since mid-March as Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed an executive order in a bid to prevent the new coronavirus from continuing to spread. Restaurants, bars, casinos, gyms and racetracks all closed to in-store service per the order. On Friday, Cuomo announced all state schools will be closed for the rest of the academic year.

A crowd gathered at the intersection of Jericho Turnpike and Veterans Memorial Highway, News 12 Long Island reported.

Protesters waved American flags, chanted "U.S.A!" and held signs calling for the state's economic shutdown to end. One sign read, "Everyone is at risk in lock down. Don't 'kill' the economy." Another protester held a sign that said, "This is America. Not Nazi Germany. Open up now. Trump 2020." Car horns blared in the background.

Most protesters were not standing at least six feet apart and many were not wearing masks or face coverings.

Protesters said they're fighting to survive while the economy continues to remain closed, and business owners said they won't be able to survive much longer unless things get moving, CBS NY reported.

"There are more people being hurt by this shutdown than the virus could ever hurt," George Pritchard, a North Shirley resident told CBS.

No summonses have been issued, Suffolk police told Patch at 5:10 p.m. Friday.

"Suffolk County police officers are at the protest reminding and educating residents about the importance of social distancing guidelines," police said.

More than 2,900 Long Islanders have died due to the coronavirus as of Friday afternoon; 1,720 in Nassau and 1,203 in Suffolk.