MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin’s chamber of commerce on Friday urged the governor to allow businesses to reopen starting May 4, three weeks sooner than is called for under his stay-at-home order, while protesters converged on the Capitol in defiance of public health orders designed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce released its plan hours before the rally, the largest in the state to date and similar to others that have popped up across the country. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ current order closing most nonessential businesses runs until May 26, but Republicans are asking the state Supreme Court to block it and force the Department of Health Services to propose a new rule.

The state chamber said its plan is designed to allow for a safe opening of businesses, taking into account those operating in more rural or suburban areas that have been less affected by COVID-19. As of Thursday, there were more than 5,000 confirmed cases statewide and nearly 260 deaths.