Wisconsin governor’s “stay home” extension provokes protest Facebook “event” next week at Capitol

Schools are closed but the golf courses will re-open, and people could be protesting.

Not protesting that golf courses are open, but that Gov. Tony Evers extended Wisconsin’s stay-at-home order yesterday through May 26.

A Facebook event called “WISCONSIN FREEDOM RALLY #RE-OPEN WISCONSIN” has nearly 10,000 people “interested” in the “protest” that’s location is set for the State Capitol Grounds next at 1 p.m. April 24 — the day the stay-home order was to originally end.

Evers had no problem with the protest itself but was concerned with safety.

The Capitol and its grounds “have been part of exercising First Amendment rights as long as I’ve been alive,” Evers said, adding. “We’re encouraging people that do come that they use social distances so they can remain healthy.”

Meanwhile, the governors’ extension does make some changes. Restrictions were loosened starting, oddly enough, the same day as the protest, for nonessential businesses, allowing them to make deliveries and have curbside pickup available.

That includes arts and crafts stores making material available to produce face masks and other personal protective equipment.

Libraries will be able to make books available for curbside pickup.

Lawn care services are allowed, as long as the work is done by just one person.

Republicans, of course, were outraged by the extension and retaliation could ensue in an ongoing battle between the GOP-led legislature and the Democratic governor.

Rep. Barb Dittrich, of Oconomowoc, called Evers a “tyrant.”

There could be a possible firing of Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm, who still needs to be confirmed by the state Senate. The Senate already fired Evers’ agriculture secretary, Brad Pfaff, a La Crosse native.

“She must not be allowed to continually trample on the constitution or the state’s economy,” Republican Sen. David Craig said of Palm. “Enough is enough!”