“Power to the people, no one is illegal!”
Just one of the chants that could be heard on Wooster Green from the line of protestors that gathered.
The BG socialists, an on campus progressive community organization, held a peaceful protest in collaboration with the Bowling Green DSA downtown.
The DSA, Democratic Socialists of America, are “the nation’s largest socialists organization” and have an established chapter in Northwest Ohio. There are no established leadership roles within the chapter as they look to avoid anything that resembles a hierarchy.
Jacob Fowler, a local member of the chapter, discussed what the protest establishes for the community.
“The big thing is helping the voice, it continues to show we don’t want to just lay down and take it, we’re here we’re vocal about it.”
The outcome of the protest was meant to be more than just merely showing up with signs, but continuing to engage with socialists and spread awareness about the issues that they may be facing.
“We’re out here giving information, trying to help people, it’s more than just standing with a sign. It’s like actually trying to do something to change what’s going on.” Fowler said.
Orion Emrick, another chapter member, talked about reaching those in the community who may be continuing to seek support.
“There are people that disagree with what’s going on and there are people that are trying to fight to make it right and we’re not alone right now in these terrifying times,” Emrick said.
There have been other protests proceeding this but Sam Merda, first year International Studies major, discussed how the BG Socialists wanted to continue getting involved along with collaboration in the community.
“We wanted to get involved more with the community as socialists, we wanted more not radical but more socialist oriented [protest],” Merda said.
“We didn’t wanna turn off any other people who wanted to come too, so there was a bit of a mix of everything, so like get everyone in the community involved with a focus in socialism” he said.
The protestors lined the street where they were met with a number of supportive honks and cheers from community members along with a brief “Trump!” from a supporter who drove by.
