BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) On a soggy, windy Monday morning, with the song "We're not going to take it" by Twister Sister playing in the background, hundreds of protestors gathered in Niagara Square in Buffalo, carrying flags and signs.
The event was the kick-off to a week long civil disobedience campaign in Erie County to protest mask and vaccine mandates in the county.
"We're standing up for our rights," said organizer Jina Gentry. "We are done with these mandates. No means no," she said.
The protesters marched about a block away to the Rath Building to deliver their message to Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, who imposed the mask mandate on November 23rd.
"We have representatives from the Constitutional Coalition, and Unmask Our Kids WNY," said Gentry. In addition, workers from Moog, teachers and healthcare workers are said to have participated in the event.
"We're not anti-mask and anti-vaccine. We believe it should be a personal choice. These mandates have been going on for 20 months. Nothing has changed. The government should not be responsible for a person's freedom," said Gentry.
Other events this week include "Twitter Tuesday" to have their voices heard on social media platforms.
Wednesday is a call to action for families to contact members of the New York State Assembly to oppose a bill that would require vaccinations for children to attend school.
Thursday encourages students to walk out of school, in protest of the mask mandate.
Friday's event is labeled "Free Your Face." It asks all county residents not to wear masks in indoor locations.
Organizers of the week long civil disobedience campaign say it is part of a statewide rally from Buffalo to New York City.
Some estimate as many as 500 attended the demonstration Monday morning while Poloncarz says it was closer to 300 according to his count.
"People have a right to protest. People have a right to peaceably assemble," said Poloncarz. "I do believe.....that it is a minority in our county."
