Hundreds of Ohioans gathered in near-freezing temperatures to protest at the Ohio Statehouse on Wednesday. It was part of a national movement known as “50 states, 50 protests, one day.”
The event, also known as the “50501 movement,” had one main theme: criticizing President Trump’s first few days in office.
Connie Gilhooley traveled from Englewood, near Dayton, to participate in the protest.
She, like many others present, expressed her dissatisfaction with Elon Musk, an unelected businessman and Trump confidant who she believes wields excessive power.
“Elon is just a bull going through everything, and he’s in places he shouldn’t be. Congress has not authorized the dismantling of the items he is dismantling. “I’m really afraid of losing our democracy,” Gilhooley said.
Mona Bailey, a public school teacher from Farmersville, near Dayton, expressed her displeasure with Trump’s cuts to agencies and federal efforts.
She expressed concern that Trump will abolish the US Department of Education and withhold federal funds required to educate her special needs children.
“It hurts all of us, but I work with the children who suffer the most. Bailey said, “And I’m tired of watching this.” “Our government should be run by and for the people.
And it isn’t for us right now. It is not for the children, and I am their voice. And I’m saying, “Stop, do your job, and do the right thing for the children.”
According to Bryan Curtiss of Columbus, many voters sat out while others were misled, and everyone will pay the consequences.
“Do your homework before going to the polls,” is the lesson we’re learning here. This was a rude awakening. We shouldn’t be doing this.
We should have learned about Project 2025 last July, not now. “It’s too late now,” Curtiss stated. “We are stuck with these changes and it’s going to get much, much worse over the next four years of Trump.”
Protesters held signs criticizing Trump’s positions on women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion, immigration, and human rights.
Many people said they hoped the protests would inspire others to take action and persuade federal lawmakers to change course.
Musk, the man Trump appointed to lead a government efficiency initiative, has been chastised for accessing sensitive documents.
Trump has faced criticism for firing federal employees and dismantling federal programs, all with seemingly little opposition from other elected officials.
