A black lawmaker came to Michigan’s capitol with an escort of armed black citizens on Wednesday, days after white protesters with guns staged a volatile protest inside the state house, comparing the Democratic governor’s public health orders to “tyranny”.
One of Anthony’s constituents, a black firefighter, organized Wednesday’s capitol escort.
While early reports focused on three black men with large rifles escorting Anthony, there were six participants, including two women, and some of them were armed with handguns, Lynn said.
He said the escort was the first time he had ever chosen to openly carry his AR-15 rifle.
“Being a black and brown female Democrat in the capitol now is a dangerous job,” Lynn said.
Despite the armed escort, Anthony said she was “actively working to prohibit open carry” of firearms in the state capitol, which is currently legal.
Play Video 1:01 Armed protesters enter Michigan's state capitol demanding end to coronavirus lockdown – video. »
