Scores of protests will take place across Ohio on Saturday as Donald Trump’s second administration moves into its second year.
A coalition of groups is coordinating under the No Kings banner as part of thousands of protests across the country.
Oct. 18 was the last national day of protest. In Ohio, more than 10,000 turned out at the Statehouse after thousands turned out earlier in other towns — many deep in Trump country — to demonstrate against the administration.
Organizers said that more than 7 million turned out to protest nationally.
In January, masked immigration officers killed two protestors in Minneapolis. Video shot at the scenes raised serious questions about the propriety of both killings. But administration officials called both victims “domestic terrorists” before investigating.
The slain citizens were protesting mass deportations that have led to 68,000 people being jailed, according to data from Syracuse University.
Trump claims his administration is deporting violent criminals, but 73% of detainees have no convictions and those for the vast majority of the rest were for minor offenses.
That prompted huge rallies against Trump on the coldest day in Minneapolis in seven years.
Then, on Feb. 28, Trump launched a surprise war against Iran based on a shifting set of rationales and with an unclear goal.
Iran is hitting back and throttling global energy. The theocratic government appears to be intent on inflicting economic pain as Trump tries to find a way out.
These and a host of other factors have organizers expecting crowds on Saturday that will be at least as big as those on Oct. 18.
“In the face of unprecedented attacks by the Trump Regime on our civil liberties and democracy, millions of Americans will join in protest for the third No Kings national day of action on March 28,” an announcement of the Central Ohio protests said.
“There will be 24 No Kings events in communities across the Central Ohio region as part of the national day of protest against the unlawful Trump Regime… Interested residents can find their closest protest location at https://www.nokings.org/.”
As was the case on Oct. 18, protests will be held across Columbus and communities across Ohio. Some of those will start as early as 10 a.m. with others starting later.
Then at 4 p.m., the final rally will be held at the Ohio Statehouse. Organizers expect at least 15,000 there.
To bolster turnout, the group Home of the Brave announced a $1 million ad campaign.
It features Michael Fanone, a former Washington, D.C., police officer who was severely injured on Jan. 6, 2021 by a mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol incited by Trump.
“Public office is about serving the people, not dominating them,” Fanone said in the video.
“The moment someone in uniform starts acting like a ruler instead of a servant, that oath is broken. Most officers are still honoring that oath. The people commanding them are not. So we the people will march peacefully again.”
Fanone added, “The answer to unchecked power is not more violence. It’s more people in public refusing to be silent.”
This story is republished from the Ohio Capital Journal. View the original article.
