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THEPOSTATHENS.COM
APRIL 8, 2025
VOLUME 115, ISSUE 27
Ohio protests against Trump administration draw 47,000 participants Ohio 50501 staged mass protests across Ohio against the Trump administration and executive overreach. MAGGIE AMACHER & DREW HOFFMASTER | FOR THE POST Ohio 50501, a political organization named for its mission of “50 protests, 50 states, 1 movement,” held 57 Hands Off! protests across Ohio on Saturday in opposition to President Donald Trump’s administration. The Ohio chapter is part of a broader national movement aimed at defending the Constitution and ending executive overreach, according to the group’s website. The April 5 “People’s Veto Day” marked the fourth day of protest organized by 50501, following previous demonstrations Feb. 5, Feb. 17 and March 4. According to the Associated Press, Hands Off! demonstrations were organized for over 1,200 locations in all 50 states. An estimated 46,980 people participated in the demonstrations statewide Saturday. Among the 57 Ohio protests planned, two were held in Kent and Athens, reflecting the movement’s reach within college towns across the state. ATHENS The Athens Hands Off! protest took place at the Athens Community Center at 701 E. State St. from 1-2:30 p.m. Protesters began gathering in front of the center as early as noon, and approximately 500 people attended. At 1 p.m., protesters moved to stand around the fountain to listen to speakers and picketed along East State Street. As vehicles passed the picketing line, many honked their horns and revved their engines in support. Audrey Ansel, a junior studying communication studies, said there was more opportunity for Athens residents to attend because the protest’s location was off campus. “Obviously, you can hear how loud State Street is,” Ansel said. “I think it helps that there’s more traffic right now because of Mom’s Weekend. People are aware of what’s going on even if they’re not physically standing here.” Most protesters held signs criticizing Elon Musk, head of the new Department of Government Efficiency, and the Trump cabinet, calling them “Nazis.” Other issues represented at the protest included the Russia-Ukraine War, fracking and mining operations and the resurgence of illnesses. Warren Haydon, a retired Athens County job and family services administrator, had been researching how many people in Athens County relied on social programs over the past month. He said he initially did not plan to speak out, but by not speaking about the changes people agree with, representatives will think people agree with them. “Since ordinary people don’t know how many people are on various programs, I don’t want to assume that my represen-
A man yells at protesters along East State Street during the nationwide ‘HandsOff’ protests, April 5, 2025. (ALAINA DACKERMANN | DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY)
Top. A man holds an American flag while wearing a clow noes while protesting with others on East State Street in Athens, during the nationwide ‘Hands-Off’ protests against the Donald Trump administration, Elon Musk, and Project 2025, April 5, 2025. Middle. A man holds his middle finger up in response to the many protester along East State Street in Athens, April 5, 2025. Bottom. People gather around in front of the Community Center on East State Street in Athens
tatives know this,” Haydon said. “I know from talking to their staff people at times they don’t have a clue.” Edie Dale, an Ohio University alumna, attended because she had always wanted to participate in such a protest, and Athens felt like a safe place to do so. “Democracy dies in darkness and silence,” Dale said. “It’s finding those people to help, so that’s why I’m standing up.” Musk claimed on X the protesters at these events are paid. Ansel and Dale said they wish they were paid. “The fact that they have to say that there are paid protesters is just them being worried,” Dale said. “We all know that anything they say is probably what they’re doing.” Some protesters compared the times Americans are living in to dystopian novels. Mindy Cisneros, a local educator, spoke out against the current state of the world while wearing an outfit inspired by “The Handmaid’s Tale.” “(My outfit) represents all things of the direction we’re headed if we do not stand up, speak loudly, and take back our country,” Cisneros said. Cisneros said she is sad college students have fewer rights than she had. Cisneros fears student loans will have high interest rates and grants will disappear. “What makes our country the country it is is the diversity that we have here,” Cisneros said. “What makes our country what it is, is that we not only accept but follow the differences that make us continued on pg. 2