Protesters are back at the Michigan Capitol to denounce Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's stay-home order and business restrictions.

They're try to put pressure on Republican lawmakers who are meeting to consider extending Whitmer's coronavirus emergency declaration hours before it expires Thursday evening.&nbsp;

Michigan governor proposes free college for front-line COVID-19 workers

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday proposed free college for health-care workers and others involved in the coronavirus fight, likening their service during the pandemic to soldiers who got a free education after returning home from the Second World War.

This photo provided by the Michigan Office of the Governor, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer addresses the state during a speech in Lansing, Mich., Friday, April 17, 2020. Whitmer said she hopes to gradually begin reopening the state's economy on May 1 after weeks of a strict stay-at-home order that has crippled businesses and caused more than 1 million unemployed people to seek aid during the coronavirus crisis.

Virus Outbreak Michigan

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer previously said she hopes to gradually begin reopening the state's economy on May 1.

U.S. auto factories likely to stay closed another 2 weeks

Fiat Chrysler is backing off a planned May 4 restart at its North American factories because some U.S. states still will have stay-home orders in place.

FILE - In this May 6, 2014, file photo, a vehicle moves past a sign outside Fiat Chrysler Automobiles world headquarters in Auburn Hills, Mich. Fiat Chrysler is backing off a planned May 4 restart at its North American factories because some U.S. states still will have stay-home orders in place. The move likely means that factories of all three Detroit automakers will be idled for at least another two weeks as they negotiate reopening terms with the United Auto Workers union. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Auto Plants Restart Delayed

The state reported&nbsp;40,399 cases of the disease on Thursday, with 8, 957 in the City of Detroit. Overall, 3,670 people have died in Michigan from COVID-19.&nbsp;

Whitmer's stay-home order and business restrictions due to COVID-19 while lawmakers met to consider extending her coronavirus emergency declaration hours before it expires.

At the capitol, drivers leaned on their horns as they travelled past, a repeat of what occurred on April 15&nbsp;but with fewer numbers. Speakers took turns addressing a crowd on the Capitol lawn.

A protester holds a sign at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, April 30, 2020. 

The signs said, "Shut down the lockdown" and "No work no freedom."

The "Don't Tread On Me" flag was worn by some people as a cape.

Directly above me, men with rifles yelling at us. Some of my colleagues who own bullet proof vests are wearing them. I have never appreciated our Sergeants-at-Arms more than today. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mileg?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mileg</a> <a href="https://t.co/voOZpPYWOs">pic.twitter.com/voOZpPYWOs</a>

In addition to protestors outside the legislature, Michigan Sen. Dayna&nbsp;Polehanki tweeted an image on Thursday showing "men with rifles" yelling inside the state assembly.&nbsp;

A protester carries his rifle at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, April 30, 2020. 

Protesters return to Michigan capitol as emergency decree winds down

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