Nearly 100 Bowling Green residents and BGSU students marched through Bowling Green Friday chanting “No Trump, No KKK, We must protect the USA” and “No justice, No peace” in protest of the 55 executive orders signed by President Donald Trump during his first month in office.
Trump’s recent executive orders and legislation changes crack down on LGBTQ+ rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and the closing of federal agencies including the Department of Education and the USAID.
The group gathered on the southwest corner of West Wooster Street and South Church Street before walking up and down South Main Street while chanting and carrying handmade signs.
The poster’s messages ranged from saying “Fascists don’t belong” to “Trans rights are human rights” and had different signs addressing Trump directly, saying things like “Elect Clowns and expect a circus” and directly opposing Elon Musk.
The protest was held by Bowling Green Persists, an organization that exists to create support during “troubling political climates”. Additionally, the protest fell days after the 50501 initiative; a grassroots organization that held 50 protests in 50 states for one day that fell on Feb. 5.
A student organizer that asked to remain nameless said the protest signified the importance of making your voice heard.
“We wanted to make an opportunity for people to get together and see that we are stronger together,” they said. “There’s power in community.”
The student organizer also expressed the need to continue to work for change, and said that the new policies introduced by the Trump administration will begin to affect more and more people.
“I feel like there’s something happening every day that affects somebody new. And if it doesn’t affect you personally, it might affect somebody that you care about,” they said.
“I know there’s a lot of people I care about in my life that are being affected by this, and that makes me angry.”
Taylor Elison, a UAW worker and Bowling Green community member said being a part of the protest served as an active stance against the Trump administration.
“(We’re) wanting to fight, show presence and (we’re) not going to be silenced,” Elison said.
Protestors saw support from honking cars, but also experienced opposition from Trump supporters with MAGA stickers and flags who drove by while revving their engines.
Jordan Musgave, a Bowling Green City councilperson, said there was power in numbers at the protest and wasn’t bothered by the disruption.
“I want them to really think as to why they want to show up… You can keep trying to throw things, but it won’t take us down,” Musgrave said.
Rachel, a Bowling Green resident who asked her last name not be used, said her stance on human rights motivated her to show up.
“(There’s) not just one reason (I’m here)… pro-LGBTQ+, anti-climate change, pro-women’s rights…. It’s important to the community in times like these,” Rachel said.
Despite the cold, the crowd continued to grow as the protest progressed, creating what Rachel said felt like a safe community.
“It feels good to be here with everyone… sad and happy at the same time,” Rachel explained.
Beyond the community base built at the protest, both community members and organizers alike were pleasantly surprised by the turnout.
To people interested in getting involved with Bowling Green Persists community, you can reach out to them on their Facebook page at Bowling Green Persists.
