Dressed in tri-corner American Revolutionary-era hats, blow-up raccoon, frog, and dinosaur costumes, and Ohio State Buckeye gear, more than 1,000 people marched in circles around the Licking County Courthouse in downtown Newark on Saturday afternoon.
The protest on Oct. 18 was one of more than 2,500 “No Kings” events across the United States that drew nearly 7 million people, as well as protests abroad in London and Barcelona, and as many as 20 other countries. Saturday’s protests were held across Ohio, from Cleveland to Cincinnati, from Ashland to Sunbury.
In a news conference last week, House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said that the protests would be a “hate America rally,” but in Newark, many attendees said they marched because they love the country, and are proud of its roots. The event in Newark was peaceful as people marched around the square carrying signs and American flags.
Many people who spoke with The Reporting Project on Saturday struck a serious tone.
Tracey from Buckeye Lake, who preferred to not give her last name, marched while carrying a Betsy Ross flag, with a circle of 13 stars in a field of navy blue.
“It shows what we stood for back at the time when we had that flag,” Tracey said. “We need that back now.”
She is worried about the direction the country is heading and spoke specifically about economic issues.
“I know people who are on Social Security,” Tracey said. “I know people that are on Medicare. I know people that are on Medicaid. And scared to death to lose all that.”
Joan Torres, of Newark, said she was surprised by the size of the crowd.
“I’m really proud that so many people showed up for this because I think it’s very important,” she said.
“I have my flag upside down today to show distress and the upside-downness in this country,” Torres said. “I just think it’s important for everybody to do this today if you want to defend democracy.”
“I don’t know how this is going to affect the big picture,” Torres said, “but I feel like I have to do something.”
Steve Wheeler, of Pataskala, came to the protest decked out in Revolution-era Minuteman gear.
“I’ve been in historical enactments for quite a while,” Wheeler said. “I just saw the opportunity to represent the sentiments of how we founded this country and how we protect the Constitution.”
Wheeler said he was specifically concerned about the general decline in civility among his friends and neighbors, as well as the need to retain a balance of power at the federal level.
“Unless Congress stands up and takes their rightful place as the checks and balances, I think the Constitution is really at threat,” Wheeler said.
A few counterprotesters drove around the square and stood on a sidewalk nearby, including two men in black who stood across from the Wendy’s. A truck with a large Trump flag circled Courthouse Square while a man with a megaphone tried to drown out protesters. Two men sat in the shade next to the County Administration Building with a flag that read, “Trump won. Get over it.”
Two friends, Maria Titko and Kay McGough, played the song “This Land is Your Land” while people marched.
“I just think people need to start letting their guards down and listening and talking to each other, accepting each other’s opinions and not being mean about it,” Titko said.
George Washington, also known as Jeff Christiansen from Newark, told The Reporting Project that this was his first protest.
He carried with him a handout, a broadsheet titled, “Declaration of Independence from Donald Trump Administration.”
Christiansen said that many of the early Americans’ grievances against King George apply today. In particular, he said that the president does not honor the concept of habeas corpus, a foundational constitutional principle ensuring that people are not detained without valid legal grounds.
”I’m more hopeful,” Christiansen said. “I know this is a very Republican county, but I know there are Republicans that are part of this group today, and that’s encouraging. I can see the hope and the absence of hate here today.”
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