Gatherers in Fort Myers rally for reopening state so all can return to work

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Community members gather for a rally to reopen the state’s economy at the corner of Colonial Boulevard and Six Mile Cypress Parkway in Fort Myers Saturday, April 25, 2020. Credit: WINK News.

A group of local ralliers say Florida should not wait to reopen and they took their message to the streets of Southwest Florida this weekend to be heard. Their goal is to get everyone back to work.

About a dozen people gathered in Fort Myers on Saturday to rally for the state to reopen amid the governor’s safer-at-home order due to the coronavirus pandemic. Many held signs, some reading “Freedom is essential” and “All jobs are essential.”

Gatherers were dressed in red, white and blue at the corner of Colonial Boulevard and Six Mile Cypress Parkway to let their opinion be seen and heard. They are ready to see Florida and the economy get back to normal.

“I think that we should reopen and not in phases,” said Danielle Dye.

They said it’s time for everyone, not just essential workers, to get back to their jobs so that everyone can provide for their families.

“I’m for the people like my friends who have lost everything who aren’t eligible for the stimulus check or unemployment and things like that,” said Renee Williams. “That’s who I’m standing for. Their jobs are essential too. They need to feed their families too.”

Ralliers said too much has been taken from too many. The group plans to hold another rally on Wednesday in front of the Edison Mall in Fort Myers.

People at the rally believe those who are at risk should protect themselves and stay home. But many of those gathered believe everyone else should be allowed to do as they please.

“I think that everybody should have a choice,” Dye said. “I think that if you feel safer at home, you should stay home. And, if you feel like you can go to the store and you can take the precautions that are best for their family, I think that everybody has the ability to make a choice and make that choice to do that.”

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