'I stand with Whitmer': Armed medic counter-protests anti-lockdown rally in Michigan

An armed woman dressed in scrubs stood in silence in support of stay-at-home orders in Michigan, one of the strictest coronavirus lockdowns in the United States.

In an apparent counter-protest, the woman stood with a handgun holstered on her hip and arms crossed among 200 demonstrators at Michigan's State Capitol on Thursday.

She wore a mask and had "I stand with Whitmer" on her arm while standing next to a man carrying signs supporting measures to keep the vulnerable safe: "I stand in silence for them".

Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the order until at least 28 May, when she may begin allowing small social gatherings.

Organised by Michigan United for Liberty, the rally dubbed "Judgement Day" was the third major protest in recent weeks over what they say are Governor Whitmer's tyrannical lockdown measures.

Protesters held up signs at the rally saying "Make Michigan work again", "Reopen Schools", "Open the Damn Salons", and "Don't Tread on Me" flags.

Ms Whitmer on Wednesday said the protests made it more likely her orders would be extended beyond 28 May.

"The fact of the matter is, these protests -- in a perverse way -- make it likelier that we are going to have to stay in a stay-at-home posture," she on ABC's The View.