Toms River Woman Violated Stay-At-Home Orders With Protest: OAG

TOMS RIVER – A Toms River woman was charged with violating coronavirus outbreak emergency orders on Friday when she organized a protest in Trenton, according to the Office of Attorney General.

Kim Pagan of Toms River was charged by the New Jersey State Police with violating the emergency orders by organizing a prohibited event on Friday in Trenton, the OAG said.

The protesters gathered outside the State House and at other locations in Trenton to demonstrate against the governor's executive orders.

Gov. Phil Murphy has ordered people to stay at home, with some exceptions, now that the number of cases has risen to 81,420, and 4,070 people have died in New Jersey. Read more: NJ Coronavirus Updates: Here's What You Need To Know

Murphy fired back at New Jersey critics on Saturday who called for reopening the economy during the new coronavirus pandemic, saying we'll have "blood on our hands" if the state reopens too quickly. Read more: Gov. Murphy Blasts 'Irresponsible' Critics Of Coronavirus Actions

A number of people have come to Pagan's defense on social media, saying it was her constitutional right to protest and to assemble.