Latest news with #MadisonTracy
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands mark Fourth of July protesting Trump policies and 'Big, Beautiful Bill'
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Thousands of protesters marked Independence Day by gathering outside the Ohio Statehouse to fight back against Trump Administration policies. Organizers coined it the 'Ohio Protest' as it drew participants from across the state including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo and Akron. The protest was part of a nationwide series of rallies organized by 'Ohio 50501,' symbolizing 50 protests, 50 states, and one movement. The heat and the holiday did not stop close to 3,700 protesters from speaking up to protect their freedoms. They said they don't like the direction our country is heading. Trump signs 'big, beautiful bill' into law 'We are not happy with how this country is being run. Not just present level but all the way down through,' protester Staci Hoalcraft said. Chants of 'When your rights are under attack, what do we do? Stand, up fight back.' filled the air as demonstrators carried signs with messages reading 'equal rights for everyone' and 'hands off our democracy'. 'Independence Day, it's all about freedom,' 50501 lead organizer Madison Tracy said. 'It's all about liberty and justice for all. And we are seeing some of those freedoms and some of those liberties being taken away right now.' The protest comes on the heels of the House passing President Trump's signature tax cut and spending bill Thursday. Trump said after the bill was narrowly passed, he believes he has 'more power' now than in his first term. 'This week's been crazy with the bill passing and Alligator Alcatraz,' protester Kimberly Eble said. 'It makes you want to come out and just make your voice heard and take action and do what you can to change things. Its been a really crazy five to six months.' Demonstrators voiced concerns over various issues including the protection of Social Security and Medicaid. 'It's just the injustice,' protester Jason Hoalcraft said. 'We feel like there's just too many things going on that Trump is trying to do and trying to put in play that just needs to be stopped. It's just too much. We've had enough.' Protesters said while this is not the America they know and love, seeing people stand united gives them hope that things can change down the line. 'It just restores your faith in humanity to be around people that are also saying that they want equality. They want immigrants to be taken care of and not deported in heinous ways and everyone deserves due process so it's just important for us to support each other,' protester Leslie Augst said. The next 50501 protest in Columbus is Thursday, July 17. It's being coined the 'Good Trouble' protest because it will mark five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis. Protesters plant to take the streets to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights and dignity for all. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘No Kings' protest in Columbus highlights national concerns
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A 'No Kings' protest took place at the Ohio Statehouse Friday as part of the latest national crusade organized by '50501,' symbolizing 50 protests, 50 states, and one movement. 'I'm not proud right now to call myself an American,' protestor Marina Aveni said. 'It's almost embarrassing when we see people that are from other countries, and they're saying like, gosh, what's going on over there. We don't feel like we have our rights anymore.' A crowd of around 4,000 gathered to voice their concerns over Trump Administration policies. 'I don't recognize this country,' protestor, Brittani Caddel, said. 'I don't want to cry. As a woman, I don't feel protected by my country. As a woman of color, I don't feel safe in my country.' Organizers said with all the chaos happening at the federal level, they're staying laser-focused on where they know they can have the most impact: right here at home. 1970s fish and chips chain to make central ohio return 'Our whole goal is, you know, no kings,' 50501 lead organizer, Madison Tracy, said. 'We have no kings in America. We've done that once. We've got rid of a king almost 200 years ago. And, you know, we're not doing that again.' Protestors spoke out against what they call fascism, dictatorship, and oligarchy being displayed right now. The peaceful movement has been taking place across the entire state. 'What's really magical is that a lot of these towns are in red rural counties,' Tracy said. 'So, it's showing something. It's sending a message that this current administration is not, you know, living up to the ideals of what most people want.' The 'No Kings' protest follows several days of nationwide protests against federal immigration raids, including in Los Angeles. 'I never thought in my lifetime that I would see this,' protestor, Lindsay Ronneberg, said. 'It's like World War II. People need to get a history lesson because it's all happening again. I have immigrant friends. I have relatives with green cards. We're scared for everyone.' 'I couldn't imagine what this city would be like without the immigrant population,' Caddel said. 'They keep this city moving literally from transportation to restaurants.' The president said he's trying to preserve law and order while going after criminals. 'Donald Trump wants to see violence. Donald Trump wants to see antagonists,' Tracy said. 'That's part of the reason why he sent in the National Guard to L.A. He wants to antagonize protesters. He wants protesters to react.' 'People come here for opportunity,' Caddel said. 'That's what we're taught. America was built on the land of the free and the home of the brave, and people are terrified in their own homes right now that their door might get kicked in. That's not Ohio. That's not America.' Columbus protestors rallied Friday, so they didn't interfere with the Pride march Saturday. Nationwide protests are planned for Saturday during the Trump-backed military parade in Washington, which coincides with the president's 79th birthday. '2026 coming, 2028's coming,' protestor Richard Lee said. 'Thank god this is his last time, and maybe we'll get someone in there to listen to the people. Why are you taking away money? The parade that he's going to have Saturday is taking supposedly forty-two million dollars away, could be going to welfare, Medicaid, or my brother's veterans. You know, that's not right.' Protest organizers said protestors from Cincinnati and Cleveland will be coming to Columbus for a 50501 protest on July 4 from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Ohio Statehouse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
