AUGUSTA (WGME) — Hundreds of people gathered to protest Gov. Mills’ extended state of civil emergency.

Amber Herzog, owner of an electrolysis business in Maine, said she won’t be able to open for at least another month and a half when phase three to reopen the state begins in July and August.

“There’s no reason my business should be closed. There’s no reason any of our businesses should be closed. Our families are suffering and countless businesses are closing permanently due to this and we need to open,” said Herzog.

Until there is change, protesters like Shirley McLaren said she will continue to show up.

“The lobstermen down in my area — the midcoast area — are suffering. They just have no market anymore because the restaurants are closed. So they’re all just their boats are up — their traps are up. It’s really really bad,” said McLaren.

Former state governor Paul LePage spoke via phone against Gov. Mills’ stay at home order.

Because we depend on small business and we depend on tourism and 14 day quarantine is unconstitutional.” keep pushing back and maybe, maybe they will learn something from this and we’ll open up before the end of the summer,” said LePage.

The state of civil emergency continues through June 11.