ALBANY — A day before Gov. Andrew Cuomo said the Capital District can begin Phase I of reopening as soon as enough contact tracers are hired and trained, a third rally was held outside the state Capitol on Saturday, May 17.
The themes were largely the same with some expressing financial hardship and a desire to get back to work, some questioning why small businesses are shut down while large box stores remain open, some claiming the stay at home order violates Constitutional rights, some saying places of worship are outside governmental purview, others were against mandated vaccinations and many just disliked Cuomo.
About 250 protested at the bottom of the steps near the statute of Civil War General Philip Sheridan, and at times more than one speaker was screaming into a bullhorn vying for the attention of the sign-waving attendees.
While New York State on Pause is officially extended until June 13, all but three regions of the state, Mid-Hudson, Long Island and New York City, have met or will meet the seven parameters outlined to being Phase I, which includes construction, manufacturing and some retail with curbside pickup. The Capital District and Western New York just need to hire enough tracers, which could come as soon as this week.
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