Hundreds of anti-lockdown protesters gather in North Carolina for a fifth week - days after gov Roy Cooper started relaxing Covid-19 restrictions

Anti-lockdown protesters gathered in North Carolina yesterday for the fifth week despite the governor already starting the reopening process.  

Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday pushed through a new executive order which eased North Carolina's stay-at-home order, but the ReOpenNC group returned to protest for a fifth week to demand lockdown is ended completely.   

Cases of the deadly virus are generally stable in North Carolina, and testing, tracing and health care supplies have improved enough to warrant increased commerce and movement, Cooper said. 

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ReOpen NC protesters demonstrate for pressure North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to reopen the State amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Raleigh, NC, United States yesterday  

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ReOpen NC protesters demonstrate for pressure North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to reopen the State amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Raleigh, NC, United States yesterday

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ReOpen NC protesters demonstrate for pressure North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper to reopen the State amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in Raleigh, NC, United States yesterday

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A woman holds a placard saying 'God Bless America' during a protest started by ReOpen NC demonstrators to pressure Gov. Roy Cooper to reopen the state, yesterday

North Carolinians gathered in their hundreds in Raleigh yesterday to march towards the Executive Mansion, clearly unhappy with the state's management of coming out of lockdown. 

One man dressed as the grim reaper held a sign with the movement's logo REOPEN NC painted on it while others flew American flags. 

From the placcards, many were concerned that Cooper's response was depriving them of their constitutional rights.  

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A man speaks on a megaphone during the ReOpen NC demonstrations in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday 

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A policeman speaks with a demonstrator during the ReOpen NC protests in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday

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Hundreds of people turned up for the fifth day of protests in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday 

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A woman wearing a Donald Trump T- shirt holds a Trump flag in the air during protests in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday 

Protesters continue to rage against lockdown in North Carolina

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Conservative-leaning groups have held weekly demonstrations near the Executive Mansion demanding Cooper cancel the stay-at-home order completely in the name of freedom and reopening the economy. 

The state has received more than one million unemployment benefit claims since mid-March. 

Under Friday's modified stay-at-home order, retail businesses previously considered non-essential will be allowed to open, but they must be capped at 50 per cent capacity and must direct customers to practice social distancing. 

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Pictured: Hundreds of protesters turned up for the protests in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday

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Pictured: A woman stands in front of the American flag speaking on a megaphone during the ReOpen NC protests in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday  

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Those at a higher risk of dying from complications related to the coronavirus were also seen at the rally in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday

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Pictured: A woman speaks through a megaphone at the protest in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday

Workers are urged to wear masks. Parks are encouraged to reopen and more child care centers can now open.

Bars, barbershops and hair salons, and gyms still have to stay closed, and restaurants still can offer only takeout and delivery options, as they have been limited to since mid-March. 

Gatherings of more than 10 people are still prohibited to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, but church services are allowed if outside and congregants remain at least 6ft apart.