ReOpen Wake County distances itself from ReOpenNC

The protest on Tuesday will be the fourth in as many weeks near the North Carolina Legislative Building and the Executive Mansion.

Chelsea Le Chatelier, Rachel Mills and Lana Witt all spoke out against the civil disobedience displayed outside the Executive Mansion on April 28.

Four people, including ReOpenNC co-founder Ashley Smith, were arrested on charges that they violated the statewide stay-at-home order and resisted arrest. North Carolina State Capitol Police say the four ignored warnings and stepped on a closed sidewalk.

Shortly before her arrest, Smith encouraged the crowd to join her in resuming normal activities despite the stay-at-home order in effect.

“We all have a right to question authority. That’s as American as apple pie. However, not all of us think that’s where we are at yet," Mills said Monday.

“What we’re trying to do in our Facebook group and with our efforts is show the sugar and spice, Southern way to encourage our officials to do the right thing," Mills said. "We're doing this the nice way."

On Monday, the three organizers stood at an intersection in north Raleigh holding signs that read, "Honk if it's time to reopen." Dozens of cars honked in support.

“I’m a believer in personal freedom," Le Chatelier said. “Individually, we can make really smart decisions.”

Mills said she believes the number of coronavirus infections, which has surpassed 1 million, and deaths, which is approaching 70,000 nationwide, shows the virus has been a "false alarm."

“Outside is absolutely where everybody needs to be. We need as many people as possible at the beach, outside at the parks playing on the playground equipment," said Mills. "The children playing on playground equipment could be working on building up herd immunity so that our society as a whole is stronger with our own immune systems to fight this virus.”

Mills added that people who feel sick or have compromised immune systems should take extra precautions, but everyone should be able to make the choice for themselves.

State health officials continue to warn that social distancing and wearing masks will remain important even when the state enters the first of Gov. Roy Cooper's three phases to resume business and social activities during the pandemic. That could happen as soon as this weekend.

​Dr. Allen Mask said the people who have piled onto beaches and into parks during the recent warm weather are "irresponsible." Herd immunity will benefit the population down the road, but only after a successful vaccine is developed, he said.

"The fatality rate is about 1 percent with the coronavirus," Mask said. "If you are looking to intentionally infect a number of people, then the price you are going to pay is a number of fatalities, and in my mind, that makes no sense. Would you want one of those fatalities to be your child? Your mother? Your father?"

ReOpen groups, big and small, throughout the state continue to put pressure on the governor.

Mills said she fears the economic toll will surpass the Great Depression with the extended closure in place.

“We need to get back to normal life as soon as possible," Mills said. "Right away, all the way and stay that way.”