Saturday, April 10, 12 noon
Ohio Statehouse

The Ohio Legislature is proposing bills that are so broad, peacefully protesting would be fair game for Felony convictions and exorbitant fines. One such bill (SB 33) goes into effect April 12.   Protests across Ohio and Virtual Story Circle (on Zoom) will be happening on April 10 around noon, to speak out against anti-protest bills that have been proposed in Ohio. See below for links to each event. Multiple bills have been introduced that are an unconstitutional threat to our fundamental First Amendment rights. One bill (SB 33) passed in Dec. 2020 is in direct response to environmental protests like Standing Rock. Other legislation was crafted in response to the tremendous outcry in the streets for democracy and justice after the killing of George Floyd. These bills would punish protestors with Felony offenses and high fines for simple acts like chalking a pipeline, blocking a street or just for being part of a protest that turns violent (even if not involved in the violence). Police officers would be able to sue individuals and organizations for participating in or supporting peaceful public witness. These bills do not represent the interests of Ohioans. They must never become law. Learn more and protest while you can at an event in Ohio on April 10. Some are happening in person, locally and we have an online option. All events will be COVID safe. See below for listings including the Virtual Story Circle. Click through for local events. More links will be added, so RSVP that you are "Going" to get updates as we add information. Chillicothe - http://bit.ly/pwycchillicothe Cincinnati - http://bit.ly/pwyccincinnati Cleveland - http://bit.ly/pwyccleveland Columbus - http://bit.ly/pwyccolumbus Dayton - http://bit.ly/pwycdayton Oberlin College - http://bit.ly/pwycoberlin Southeast Ohio - http://bit.ly/pwycseohio Toledo - http://bit.ly/pwyctoledo Online Story Circle (Statewide) - http://bit.ly/pwyconline We will share our stories about how we feel about the 4 anti protest bills taking away our freedom of speech. This Zoom meeting will be facebook lived and made public. Wear Your Masks!
In Columbus, we are going to do a safely distant in-person action at the Ohio Statehouse by the McKinley Statue. BRING AN UMBRELLA in case of some short showers while we hear some great speakers like Rev Dr Susan Smith and then Honk and Wave our signs. BRING SIGNS!
"Honk for Freedom to Assemble"
"Honk for the Right to Protest"
"Protect Our Right to Protest"
"Public Protest = Social Change"
"Protest is as American as Apple Pie"
"Peaceful Protest is Our Right"
"Protest is Free Speech"
"Make Our Voices Heard - Protest"
"Anti-Protest Bills Silence Ohioans"
"We Will not be Silent"
"Stop Ohio Anti-Protest Bills"
"Our Voices Together"
"Speak Truth to Power - Our Right" Bring MASKS, umbrellas and rain gear if it looks like rain.
And your camera to take pictures and post.
#OurVoicesTogether #StopOhAntiProtestBills Folk are also welcome to drive around the Statehouse in their cars with signs taped or use Spray Chalk on car windows (we will have spray chalk for windows) Questions?: info@uujo.org And folk are very welcome to be part of the online statewide Story Circle. ( https://www.facebook.com/events/352691476115262/ ) https://www.facebook.com/events/925833758230492 Let's protest while we still can and shed some light on detrimental effect they will have on our First Amendment rights to free speech. Don your mask, keep your distance and meet at the Mckinley Statue at the Capitol building. More information on the bills can be found at https://uujo.org/.../our-voices-together-pro-democracy.../ Don't want to leave your home to participate? Join the statewide Virtual Story Circle:  https://www.facebook.com/events/352691476115262 Please RSVP for updates as details are being finalized and the only way to get updates is through RSVP.