On Labor Day, about 100 rally at Capitol arguing threat from COVID-19 pandemic is over

About 100 people gathered at the Arizona Capitol for a pair of rallies on Labor Day, both calling to end COVID-19 restrictions on businesses and arguing that the pandemic is no longer a threat.

Multiple Republican lawmakers and candidates for public office gathered at the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza, where not a mask was in sight as they criticized Gov. Doug Ducey's executive orders, protested the use of masks, and lamented the economic fallout of the pandemic, to applause from the crowd.

"We are here to defend our freedom, we're here to speak and advocate for workers on Labor Day who can't work because of regressive, overreaching emergency orders," said Bill Crawford, a Scottsdale gym owner who organized the "Labor Day Freedom Rally."

The latest of these executive orders mandated the closure of bars, gyms and other establishments. However, the Arizona Department of Health Services issued guidelines for these businesses to partially reopen, and many did on August 27. Some businesses are still at limited capacity, however, and others with certain liquor licenses must remain closed if they don't serve food.

Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich recently challenged the order, saying the restrictions "arbitrarily discriminate" against some businesses. Multiple lawsuits have also been launched against the governor's orders.

State representative compares masks to tattooing of Holocaust victims

Speakers expanded these criticisms of the orders Monday morning. Republican State Rep. John Fillmore, for example, compared mask mandates to the tattooing of victims of the Holocaust.

"It's reminiscent of the 1930s in Germany, when people on their own bodies were tattooed," Fillmore said to a crowd outside the House of Representatives Building before the main rally began. 

The practice of tattooing Jewish people and others began in 1941, and only occurred in the Auschwitz concentration camp, which is in Poland. Additionally, tattoos were used in part to dehumanize victims of the Holocaust, while mask mandates are public health measures intended to keep people healthy.

Fillmore was joined by Republican State Reps. Michelle Ugenti-Rita and Kelly Townsend and other politicians, who all shared the message that governor's executive measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 have hurt the economy and should be discarded as infections and deaths continue to decline — suggesting to them that the pandemic is no longer an issue.

"We were okay (with) two weeks, slow the spread, flatten the curve," said Ugenti-Rita, who represents parts of Scottsdale and Fountain Hills. "Now we're flattening the economy."

"We all know this COVID issue is over," said Townsend. "It's time to set down our fears. ... Enough is enough."

Arizona COVID-19 hospitalizations declining

The state has turned its COVID-19 numbers around after experiencing one of the worst outbreaks in the world in June.

Arizona has had over 205,000 identified cases of COVID-19 and over 5,000 deaths associated with the disease since the new coronavirus emerged, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The state’s COVID-19 containment measures have been working, as metrics including daily case counts and infection and hospitalization rates are moving in the right direction.

But it’s too soon for Arizonans to let their guard down and take a “victory lap," Ducey said last month.

“Returning our kids to the classroom, reuniting with our loved ones —  all of these depend on continued responsible behavior,” Ducey said. “I urge everyone to stay the course.”

The COVID-19 mortality rate is approximately 0.05% across the country. This is among the highest in the world and greater than the annual seasonal flu mortality rate, which is about 0.01%, according to the latest data.

Attendee calls pandemic 'a big hoax'

Some in attendance agreed wholeheartedly with the message that COVID-19 is a non-issue.

"It's a big hoax, and the big tactic is to scare people, and they're doing a good job of that," said Ralph Ruggiero, a retiree who has attended many of these gatherings since they began.

Others were far more ambivalent, but showed up because they believed the consequences of continuing restrictions would be far more detrimental than the potential impacts of the virus.

For Shawn Laderoot, father of six, these consequences include social isolation, depression, and financial struggles as some industries are restricted and many Arizonans remain unemployed. It also affects his children, who have transitioned to online school.

"We need to open our state back up, despite a second wave, third wave," Laderoot said. "There's consequences to every action. ... By far the consequences are less opening back up."

Other speakers included Jerry Sheridan, the Republican candidate for Maricopa County sheriff. Sheridan used the event to speak mostly about what he wants to do if he wins the election, only mentioning COVID-19 to say the virus is rampant among Maricopa County jail populations and staff.

Republic reporters Chloe Jones and Maria Polletta contributed to this story. 

Reach the reporter at emily.wilder@arizonarepublic.com or on Twitter @vv1lder.