A group of anti-lockdown protesters armed with rocket launchers and rifles were seen purchasing Subway sandwiches as they demonstrated against North Carolina’s stay-at-home order this weekend.
Shocking images snapped by News & Observer photojournalist Travis Long shows a group of 11 armed protesters taking a break from their walk out to order Subway in Raleigh, with their massive guns slung over their shoulders.
One man was seen with an AT4 rocket launcher strapped onto his back and pistols strapped to his sides in holsters.
Another image shows a woman in army garb with her mouth covered carrying a heavy gun in her arms while wearing an army vest.
One man was photographed sitting eating his sandwich with his camouflage print rifle placed next to him.
Another man was pictured holding a massive weapon over his shoulder as he takes a selfie.
Long shared the photographs on Twitter on Saturday with the hashtag #MealTeamSix, a play on United States Navy unit SEAL Team Six, where they went viral with over 20,000 likes and 7,000 retweets.
A man carrying an AT4 rocket launcher strapped onto his back and pistols strapped to his sides in holsters as he ordered a sandwich during the walk out.
On Saturday a few dozen demonstrators gathered in Raleigh in an effort organized by a group called Blue Igloo, where the armed protesters were seen walking through the desolate downtown area.
‘The walk on Saturday wasn’t a protest, it was a gathering to support our God given freedoms as Americans. We headed out for a walk to get some fresh air, sunshine, and some much needed exercise,’ the group said Sunday to NBC News.
The group described the walk out on Facebook as an ‘opportunity for First and Second Amendment supporters to get together, meet people with commonalities and get some exercise while we’re all wasting away at home.’
Blue Igloo posted video of the walk on Facebook where members are seen entering the Subway sandwich shop and ordering meals.
‘Do you guys mind if we eat here?’ the person recording the video is heard asking. ‘We don’t want to make it look like we’re threatening or intimidating anyone, which is why I ask.’
One man was photographed sitting down eating his sandwich – defying the state’s rules that do not yet allow for in-person dining.
There were no arrests at Saturday’s small protest where the demonstrators were tailed by Raleigh and State Capitol Police as they traveled through downtown, many of them ignoring orders to wear masks.
North Carolina is an open-carry state, but is one of at least six states that bans firearms from rallies.
Phase one of reopening North Carolina started on Friday at 5pm and will last through May 22.
Phase one will allow retail businesses to open at 50 percent capacity, limit gatherings to 10 people and outdoors, open up child care centers, but bars and restaurants will be limited to take out only and salons, gyms, and music venues will continue to be closed.
As of Sunday evening there were 14,764 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 547 fatalities.
