Thousands mark Fourth of July protesting Trump policies and "Big, Beautiful Bill"
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Thousands of protesters marked Independence Day by gathering outside the Ohio Statehouse to fight back against Trump Administration policies.
Organizers coined it the 'Ohio Protest' as it drew participants from across the state including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Akron. The protest was part of a nationwide series of rallies organized by ‘Ohio 50501,’ symbolizing 50 protests, 50 states, and one movement.
The heat and the holiday did not stop close to 3,700 protesters from speaking up to protect their freedoms. They said they don't like the direction our country is heading.
"We are not happy with how this country is being run. Not just present level but all the way down through," protester Staci Hoalcraft said.
Chants of "When your rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand, up fight back." filled the air as demonstrators carried signs with messages reading 'equal rights for everyone' and 'hands off our democracy'.
"Independence Day, it's all about freedom," 50501 lead organizer Madison Tracy said. "It's all about liberty and justice for all. And we are seeing some of those freedoms and some of those liberties being taken away right now."
The protest comes on the heels of the House passing President Trump's signature tax cut and spending bill Thursday. Trump said after the bill was narrowly passed, he believes he has 'more power' now than in his first term.
"This week's been crazy with the bill passing and Alligator Alcatraz," protester Kimberly Eble said. "It makes you want to come out and just make your voice heard and take action and do what you can to change things. Its been a really crazy five to six months."
Demonstrators voiced concerns over various issues including the protection of Social Security and Medicaid.
"It's just the injustice," protester Jason Hoalcraft said. "We feel like there's just too many things going on that Trump is trying to do and trying to put in play that just needs to be stopped. It's just too much. We've had enough."
Protesters said while this is not the America they know and love, seeing people stand united gives them hope that things can change down the line.
"It just restores your faith in humanity to be around people that are also saying that they want equality. They want immigrants to be taken care of and not deported in heinous ways and everyone deserves due process so it's just important for us to support each other," protester Leslie Augst said.
The next 50501 protest in Columbus is Thursday, July 17. It's being coined the 'Good Trouble' protest because it will mark five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis. Protesters plant to take the streets to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights and dignity for all.