Protesters gather in Spokane to oppose COVID-19 restrictions

Nationwide protests occured on Sunday to demonstrate against local, state and federal guidelines meant to suppress the spread of COVID-19. Spokane's protest occured peacefully at the county courthouse with approximately 20 citizens who heard about the gathering via posters in the city and through word of mouth.

Section:Gallery

Sun., April 19, 2020

Local citizens mingle while protesting COVID-19 closures and restrictions currently upheld by local and state officials on April 19, 2020 at the Spokane County Courthouse. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Brian Forrilla speaks to local news stations on behalf of the group of citizens that gathered to protest COVID-19 closures and restrictions on April 19, 2020 at the Spokane County Courthouse. Forrilla was the only member of the group willing to speak to the media and provide his name, while approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Brian Forrilla speaks to local news stations on behalf of the group of citizens that gathered to protest COVID-19 closures and restrictions on April 19, 2020 at the Spokane County Courthouse. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
A man who declined to share his name affixes a sign to the Spokane County Courthouse on April 19, 2020, while local citizens gathered to protest COVID-19 closures and restrictions currently upheld by local and state officials. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Signs propped against a pickup truck are seen outside of the Spokane County Courthouse while local citizens gathered to protest COVID-19 closures on April 19, 2020. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Local citizens mingle while protesting COVID-19 closures and restrictions currently upheld by local and state officials on April 19, 2020 at the Spokane County Courthouse. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review
Brian Forrilla speaks to The Spokesman-Review's Emma Epperly while local citizens gather to protest COVID-19 closures and restrictions currently upheld by local and state officials on April 19, 2020 at the Spokane County Courthouse. Approximately 20 individuals assembled to peacefully protest, citing the economy, individual losses and government overreach as reasons to gather. The group mobilized through posters hung around Spokane and the Facebook group Open Washington State, and will meet again next Sunday at 2 p.m.

Libby Kamrowski The Spokesman-Review