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Photos: A Few Dozen Protest Mask Requirements In Madison

Protest Comes As State Continues To Report Record Levels Of COVID-19 Cases

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A woman's sign says "no mask mandates!"
A woman holds up a sign with a message against mandated mask wearing on Thursday, July 23, 2020, in downtown Madison. The group of protesters later marched to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Angela Major/WPR

A group of about 40 people marched in downtown Madison on Thursday to protest mask requirements, claiming they infringe on individual liberty.

Several cities in Wisconsin have passed ordinances to require masks in businesses and other public places. Speakers encouraged the crowd to resist following these orders, despite a rising number of positive COVID-19 cases in the state.

As protesters marched, Gov. Tony Evers spoke to reporters during a Department of Health Services conference, saying that he was still considering a statewide mask mandate in Wisconsin. Implementing such a mandate could prove difficult, given that the state Supreme Court struck down the governor’s former stay-at-home order and has limited his administration’s ability to implement a state-level response to COVID-19.

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Check out photos from Thursday’s march below:

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A person holds a sign at an anti-mask mandate protest
A protester holds a sign up in front of a woman wearing a mask on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Angela Major/WPR

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protesters hold signs and an American flag
A group of about 40 protesters gathered at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Thursday, July 23, 2020, to speak out against mask requirements. Angela Major/WPR

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a woman holds up a sign that says
A madison resident holds a sign advocating for wearing masks to counter the message of the rally at the Wisconsin State Capitol. “We need to protect those in our community and ourselves,” she said. Angela Major/WPR

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A Madison resident in a mask engages with a protester at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Angela Major/WPR

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A man holds a sign that compares Gov. Evers to Mao
A group of protesters carry signs as they march to the Wisconsin State Capitol on Thursday, July 23, 2020. Angela Major/WPR

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an American flag flies in the crowd as a speaker takes the microphone
A speaker encourages rally attendees to “resist” mask requirements on Thursday, July 23, 2020, at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Angela Major/WPR

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A model of the coronavirus is on the ground in front of anti-mask protesters
A remote control model of the Coronavirus is controlled by Tim Bailey on Thursday, July 23, 2020, during a protest of mask requirements at the Wisconsin State Capitol. Angela Major/WPR

Editor’s Note: Erik Lorenzsonn contributed reporting to this story.

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