The signs read “Pursuit of Happiness,” “Reopen the Commonwealth” and “Honk for Freedom.”

There were American flags and “Don't Tread on Me” and “Trump 2020” banners.

The nearly 100 people in Diamond Park on Saturday afternoon were rallying against what they say is government overreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They were cheered on by the honking horns of passing motorists and the revving engines of motorcyclists.

Butler school board member and business owner Bill Halle called for the protest in a Facebook post last week.

Saturday in the park he reiterated his contention that Gov. Tom Wolf's measures to combat the pandemic were unconstitutional and illegal.

He said, “We have to challenge the governor who has overstepped his authority certainly in opting to close the schools. He does not have the authority to tell churches they would be sued if they didn't close.”

Jack Sirkoch of Renfrew turned up to show his support.

“I'm out for the same reason. I'm out to support the First Amendment,” Sirkoch said.

“It all stems from my right to freely assemble and free speech.

“We as Americans and Pennsylvanians listened to what our elected representatives told us,” said Sirkoch.

“Now we find out that they lied,” he said. “The pandemic is not as deadly and debilitating as we've been told. There's a 99 percent recovery rate.”

Sirkoch said that while he is in a high-risk group himself, it was important to demonstrate.

“The freedoms we surrendered have to be restored,” he said.

Ryan Covert of Butler a restaurant owner who plans to run for state representative, also said the numbers don't justify the measures imposed by Wolf.

Covert said, “In a community of 180,000 we have 200 sick.

“I don't see sick people. I see people who are depressed, uncertain of the future, trapped in their house in front of the TV.”

“When did Americans lay down and do what they are told to do?” he asked.

He added Wolf's response shouldn't have been to quarantine healthy people but to guarantee the safety of senior citizens in senior living centers and nursing homes.

Ayla Miller, 15 of Cabot was at the rally with her three siblings and her father, Paul Miller.

She said, “I'm here to get America back to normal and get Americans back to work.”

Her father said, “We're out protesting the overreach of Gov. Wolf.”

Halle encouraged people to sign up to join his formal legal action against the governor.

“I'm filing a lawsuit as a formal legal challenge to the governor,” said Halle.

He added he was happy with Saturday's turnout and hoped it would provide pressure on the county commissioners to push the state to allow businesses in the county to reopen.