In photos: Protesters call for opening state in May 3 Asheville rally

Posted on by Brooke Randle
Protesters calling for restrictions on business operations to be lifted. The rally took place on May 3 in Asheville. Photo by Brooke Randle

Asheville native Tommy Forester organized the Ride to Open NC on May 3 in which dozens of cars, trucks and motorcycles converged at the River Ridge Marketplace on Fairview Road before caravanning through the streets of downtown Asheville to protest temporary business closures aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19.

“You can’t burn a house down to kill a spider,” Forester says. “[The rally is] just about people wanting to work and wanting to provide for their family.”

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18 thoughts on “In photos: Protesters call for opening state in May 3 Asheville rally”

  1. Rebecca groves

    I mean no harm but there are people who’s health is important I understand this is hard on someone but this virus is harder I am a essential worker who has asthma copd and chronic bronchitis and I see people everyday who do not seem to care or understand how serious this is

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  2. Lou

    Good grief MUST you give these entitled selfish Nazi party supporters more press? Don’t they get enough? I have never in my life seen a more ridiculous bunch of whiny Republican mouthpieces than those protesting orders by Democrat government ONLY, especially in other states with automatic rifles. Way to use a deadly pandemic as a political weapon, Trump has taught them everything they need to know about how to be really awful human beings.

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  3. Dopamina

    Well surely these reasonable people who want to re-open are following social distancing rules and wearing masks! What’s that? You can see from the pictures they are doing neither!? I guess their belief that the virus isn’t serious or wont get them sick trumps all these egghead experts and authorities with their facts and books and fancy degrees – check and mate protesters, ya got us! Tell us more about *how you feel*!

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  4. Ezra

    This article is extremely helpful in allowing us to identify which individuals we should avoid at all costs, going forward.

  6. bsummers

    My employer just called this morning to discuss how/when we might go back to work. He mentioned how he has been out shopping for supplies both for home & for work, and here’s his take on who is wearing masks and where:

    Whole Foods: 3/4+
    Costco: 2/3 – 3/4
    Lowes: 1/2 – 2/3
    WalMart: “Practically no one.”

  7. henry

    Theses alleged protests are simply outdoor Trump rallies, complete with Trump hats and banners, publicly encouraged by Trump. Total contradiction as he said states would have to meet declining new case trends, testing levels and tracking of new infections before re-opening.

  9. Roberto

    Let me guess: This bunch is part of the 13% of americans that believe the virus is a hoax.

    Too bad these “patriots” don’t know how to properly display the American flag. Yep, I’m calling out you two in front of the Nissan, the owner of the red Corvette and the owner of the white Ford truck.

    Ignorance is truly bliss.

    Maybe this virus will thin the herd a bit.

  10. DemMasterP.

    I agree! Those stupid healthy people wanting to go out and get back to work. Do Not let this happen.
    We aren’t doing enough enough to combat the virus. Fact: The 5 largest outbreak epicenters: Meat processing facilities, Amazon, Wall Mart, your local grocery store, and nursing homes. We should not be letting those people go to work there!! Shut them down! They are spreading the disease like wildfire.
    On the bright side, my attorney has over 100 Asheville business clients filing for bankruptcy. Thousands more are defaulting on rent. I am actively buying up property for pennies on the dollar in Buncombe county.
    I don’t want the lockdown to end …. this is great for me!
    I will own you.

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    • luther blissett

      That lump of RNA doesn’t care how you feel, because it’s a lump of RNA. The people who’ve shown actual courage over recent weeks? Many of them are dead now.

  12. Mark Yokley

    First in Fear needs to be on the license plate. The virus problems and deaths pale in comparison to the lives ruined forever by these idiots. We flattened the curve, hospitals were not overwhelmed and yet you are still under house arrest.

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