Andrews – For the past two Friday nights, a group of protesters gathered to condemn Gov. Roy Cooper’s modified Stay-at-Home order, which imposed a nightly curfew in hopes of stemming the spread of COVID-19.
On each night, protestors drove more than 60 cars up and down Main Street starting around 7 p.m. past the 10 p.m. curfew set by Cooper. Some local businesses supported the protest and offered dining specials to participants.
“Frank at Granieri’s had $2 slices of pizza and Ronnie’s said they will come up with a special for us too. Every week, we’re going to patron a different business,” 69-year-old Gayland Trull said on the evening of Dec. 18.
“This has definitely brought this little town alive on Friday night. When I was a teenager, we did this every Friday and Saturday. We’d cruise through town, wave and try to start up a conversation with a girl.”
The cool temperature didn’t prevent some protesters from dropping the top of their car or opening their sunroof. Clear skies allowed Trull to show off his silver 1970 Ford Mustang Boss 302, which was rebuilt 18 years ago and has never been touched by water.
“I just wipe it off,” Trull said. “I don’t take it out unless the weather is pretty.”
Mayor James Reid and Aldermen Jonathan Ellison and Steve Jordan participated in the first protest as well. Conversation brought up the possibility of organizing a regular cruise night to kick off weekends regardless of a protest or special event.
“I might bring the band out,” Jordan said, while expressing how much fun he was having. “It would be good to sit up on the corner and play music.”
Alderman Scott Stalcup joined the fun Friday. Stalcup hadn’t participated in a cruise night since at least 1998.
“Anytime you can get people together, it’s a great thing,” he said. “I know we’re in a pandemic, but people still want to get out.”
At 10 p.m. Dec. 11, a crowd of more than 100 people gathered for a photo and chanted, “U.S.A.!”
“I want to thank y’all for coming out and supporting America,” Reid told the crowd. “It’s time that we step up and keep our rights. People are so willing to allow their rights to be chiseled away, and we can’t do it anymore. We have to stand up, pull together and realize this is America.”