Sat 4/5
On Saturday April 5, millions of people around the world gathered in small towns and large cities to protest the destruction of democracy and the government of the United States, with reckless economic policies attempting to eliminate the social safety net and successfully ruining the world economy.
There were demonstrations across northeast Ohio, including Kent, Akron, Strongsville and Chagrin Falls. The biggest was in Cleveland, scheduled for Market Square Park across from the West Side Market but spilling out onto all four corners of West 25th Street and Lorain Avenue and extending at least a block in each direction, lining the sidewalks four or five deep. While Cleveland.com laughably said that “hundreds” of people turned out (adding to their long, historical record of undercounting protests), more accurate estimates said thousands — perhaps as many as 5-7 thousand.
The demonstrations across the country were loosely organized under the theme “Hands Off.” Most demonstrators made their own signs, which displayed creativity, human and artistry and gave photographers plenty to shoot. Local organizers the Cuyahoga Democratic Women’s Caucus and Mobile the Voter offers attendees the chance to sign up to volunteer for future actions and to write letters on the spot to Ohio Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Husted.
A program at Market Square Park featured speakers such as former U.S. Navy pilot and Democratic candidate for congression Ken Harbaugh and 11th district congresswoman Shontel Brown (In adjoining district 14 on that day, the Geauga County Democratic Party was hosting an “empty chair” townhall — their invited congressman David Joyce was a no-show.) There were speakers advocating for veterans’ health benefits, immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ concerns. Local folksinger Alex Bevan offered a couple of tunes, leading a crowd singalong of Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.” The diverse crowd was young and old, male and female (but mostly white.)
View the PHOTOSTREAM here.
