Gov. Tim Walz announced a four-week dial back order to last until December 18 but ReOpen Minnesota, a coalition of business owners, has launched a two phased plan for business owners to start opening their doors before then.

The organization is calling for rural businesses to reopen on Wednesday, December 16 and metropolitan businesses to reopen on Friday, December 18, regardless of whether Gov. Walz’s order is extended or not.

According to local media outlets, between 150 and 200 businesses have signed up to the coalition while more than $2,340 had been donated to its GoFundMe page raising money for legal support for businesses as of 4.20 a.m. on Monday.

The organization wrote on the fundraising site: “As small businesses boldly join the coalition to bring an end to the unfair and arbitrary lockdown of their livelihoods, they know there is a potential that some of them will face legal backlash from the tyrannical leadership of the state.

“It would encourage them greatly and strengthen their fortitude knowing that the rest of us have their back in this fight and will support them with a legal fund as needed.”

A spokesman for the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office told Kare 11 that businesses choosing to violate the executive order could be fined up to $25,000 and even face criminal penalties if prosecuted locally by a city or county.

But ReOpen Minnesota organizer Darius Teichroew told the broadcaster: “People are desperate and they are coming up with a solution now that they’re stuck in a tight corner with no other place to turn.

He added: “We know COVID is real and COVID is deadly in certain cases, but we also know that the COVID lockdown is deadly in certain cases, so can we find a middle ground?”

Lisa Monet Zarza, owner of Froggy Bottoms in Lakeville—one of the business taking part—told Kare 11: “We’re not saying that COVID isn’t real, we’re not saying that, but the implications of everything involved with COVID are so much more than just what’s being reported.

She added: “We’re not demanding that you come into our restaurants. We’re not demanding that you go into the gyms. We’re asking for the right for you to be able to come in.”

Meanwhile, Reid Peterson, owner of Training for Warriors Apple Valley said they will reopen on December 19 regardless of whether the executive order expires.

He said in a Facebook video shared on the ReOpen Minnesota page: “My wife and I own this place. We have poured more blood, sweat and tears than I can explain/ We are unwilling to let it go down.”

But not all businesses are on board with Zachery Suddath, general manager at the Mallard’s Restaurant and Charley Cat Chicken, telling Kare 11 that they could not afford the consequences of completely reopening.

He said: “We haven’t decided 100 percent what’s gonna happen yet, we’re kind of waiting to see what’s going on.”

Minnesota suspended the liquor license of the Boardwalk Bar & Grill in East Grand Forks for refusing to close during the shutdown. The establishment is located on the border with North Dakota—where bars and restaurants are allowed to serve customers indoors.

But it has still remained open and the owner has not been arrested, according to the ReOpen Minnesota. The organization posted: “We got an update from Jane in EGF… still not arrested, and having a fantastic weekend of business with big tippers! Way to go, friends. Her employees appreciate it so much as they were desperate for income.”

In a press conference on Friday, Gov. Walz said businesses reopening too soon “adds the potential for more people into the emergency room.”

He said: “I had National Guard, firefighters and police say “make our jobs a little easier, don’t do these things.”

Walz continued: “I do just want to say I certainly can understand their frustrations, but like so many things in a society that’s ruled by the rule of law, you follow the procedures that are out there.”

Newsweek has contacted the Minnesota Attorney General and the Governor’s office for comment.