Hundreds of protesters gathered in Huntington Beach on Friday to protest Governor Gavin Newsom’s current approach to coronavirus policies, particularly his executive order to close all state beaches and parks in Orange County only. Many see it as an act of retribution for several municipalities voting to begin reopening procedures as well as the growing number of residents in Orange County who are rejecting the governor’s timeline for reopening.

The Orange County Sheriff indicated on Thursday he had no intention of enforcing Newsom’s orders on those peacefully resisting. Additionally, the cities of Dana Point, Huntington Beach and Newport Beach have made plans to meet over the weekend to launch a legal challenge to Newsom’s draconian orders.

Reports from the Huntington protest say participants were vocal but not rowdy. Police left them largely alone, only using officers on horses and bikes to keep protesters from crowding into the streets.

Huntington Beach CA Pier @jenvanlaar @RedState pic.twitter.com/VQTT2MOi3u

— DDW (@califdronelaw) May 1, 2020

Civil Disobedience!!! pic.twitter.com/kSM0mk1XQ7

— Nick Carbonaro 🇺🇸 (@njcarbonaro) May 1, 2020

Hundreds have gathered in Huntington Beach to protest Governor Newsom’s order to close all OC beaches. The city is planning to sue Newsom, and Newport Beach will discuss doing the same this weekend. We have SkyFox over the protest and will be keeping an eye on it. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/w2sIEKdaCG

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 1, 2020

https://twitter.com/JoeySalads/status/1256339125927460864?s=20

Even though Orange County flattened it’s COVID curve back in March and has a current COVID mortality rate of .000012%, some people on Twitter were less than impressed with the pro-science and data crowd. There are no mass infection rates in Orange County and there are plenty of indications the virus is on its second wave in the county, not the first. Despite lowering trends and a mere 72 patients in ICU across the county, Newsom has insisted on keeping “non essential” business closed across the state even as unemployment skyrockets.

They're not protesting so they can go to the beach. This is why we can't have a serious conversation about this. The "quarantine for life" crowd can't even agree to the terms of the debate. They're protesting for YOUR RIGHTS https://t.co/OqaU6a7sxh

— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) May 1, 2020

Huntington Beach has become the Florida of California 🤦🏻‍♀️ we don’t claim them. pic.twitter.com/IKRjIg55f6

— Curtis (@yarsitruc) May 1, 2020

since Huntington Beach wants to act up and make California look ugly 🥴 pic.twitter.com/5BJVhRr0ac

— aubrie. (@aubrieaddine) May 1, 2020

I really want those protestors in Huntington Beach to catch corona

pic.twitter.com/t4JRKTN2aE

— L (@rose4prez) May 1, 2020

Reporter Bill Melugin has been monitoring the legal arguments from Huntington Beach, which tried to get an emergency injunction against Newsom’s executive orders.

Still listening in on the Huntington Beach vs Newsom hearing…final arguments being made right now by both sides.

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 1, 2020

Attorney for Huntington Beach says CHP and state law enforcement were called to Huntington Beach, "they're walking around with guns, this is Orwellian, I can't believe we're even having this conversation right now,". City is asking for an immediate temporary restraining order

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 1, 2020

BREAKING: OC beaches will REMAIN CLOSED. Judge Nathan Scott DECLINES to issue a temporary restraining order to halt Governor Newsom's ordered closure of Orange County beaches, but issues an order to show cause to Newsom's attorneys. Next hearing set for Monday. @FOXLA

— Bill Melugin (@BillFOXLA) May 1, 2020

Redstate will continue to update the story as details become available.