Protests continue against stay-at-home orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Saturday, a large crowd gathered at the Massachusetts state capitol in Boston to protest the shutdown order by Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA) and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh.

Matt Stout, state house reporter for the Boston Globe, documented the protest from inside the capitol.

He reported protesters saying “this is communism” and “we don’t want your shutdown anymore.”

“It’s not a pandemic!” a speaker falsely claimed. “The reason why they’re doing this … to turn the United States of America into the United Socialist States of America.”

He said the crowd chanted “It’s a hoax! It’s a hoax!” and “It’s time to make America great again.

In last 30 minutes, the rally has grown considerably. Cars passing with Trump signs passing with horns beeping. One lane of Beacon Street blocked off with police and protestors pic.twitter.com/emqPkEeksg

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

The crowd of what appears to be hundreds of people now has spilled completely into Beacon Street outside the State House as man takes to microphone, warning that media will try to say a “couple hundred of people showed up.” pic.twitter.com/PUq8NQQVNS

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

“Please raise your hand. How many of you have raised your hand or have been furloughed?” Much of the crowd appeared to raise hand. “This is what they have done to us.” pic.twitter.com/dHsrduucP0

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

Crowd now chanting “It’s a hoax! It’s a hoax!” followed by speaker saying this is all an effort to crash economy and hurt President Trump’s reelection chances pic.twitter.com/vp1yfTZiNF

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

Before the protest, @CharlieBakerMA was asked about the objections to the restrictions and order he's put in place. "Look, I think all of us believe, collectively here, that the decisions that we’ve made were the ones we felt were the best among bad choices, OK."

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

A few dozen protesters continue to linger, including one with a Ron Paul sign across the street pic.twitter.com/o4wD6snXez

— Matt Stout (@MattPStout) May 4, 2020

Enjoy good journalism?

… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has slashed advertising rates, and we need your help. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and legal efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. And unlike other news outlets, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click to donate by check.

Value Raw Story?

… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has cut advertising rates in half, and we need your help. Like you, we believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We need your support to do what we do.

Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.