Washington, May 1 (IANS): Armed protesters demonstrating against Michigan's coronavirus lockdown entered the US state's capitol building, where lawmakers were debating, it was reported.

Thursday's protest, dubbed the "American Patriot Rally", was organised by Michigan United for Liberty, the BBC reported.

It called for state businesses to reopen on May 1 in violation of the state's stay-at-home order imposed earlier this month by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, until May 15.

Hundreds of demonstrators, a few of them armed gathered in Lansing and many did not wear masks or socially distance.

It is legal to bear firearms inside the Michigan statehouse, and several demonstrators were openly carrying guns in the Senate gallery.

Police checked their temperatures before few of the protesters were allowed into the capitol.

But some others, who were armed, reportedly tried to enter the floor of the chamber, and blocked by state police and sergeants-at-arms.

Michigan has been hard hit by the coronavirus, with 3,788 deaths, and more than 41,000 infections, mostly in the Detroit metro area.

Also on Thursday, the Republican-controlled state legislature refused Governor Whitmer's request to extend her emergency orders, the BBC reported.

They also cleared the way for her to be sued over her handling of the pandemic.

She hit back that she does not need legislative authorisation for the extension.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump threw his support behind demonstrators at the time, tweeting "LIBERATE MICHIGAN".