protest
Right to protest important tenet in Ohio, America at large
By Randy Cunningham The rights to protest in Ohio have been under assault for the past three years as the state legislature has been on a major campaign to repeal those rights in bits and pieces. The campaign has been in reaction to high-profile national protests such as the pipeline protests at Standing Rock, and […]
Ohio House passes bills to stiffen ‘riot’ penalties; stop police from limiting guns on scene
The Ohio House passed two bills Wednesday that together would create new penalties and stiffen preexisting ones for people engaged in what the law considers to be “riots,” and another revoking a current police power to limit the transfer of guns and weapons during a “riot.” House Bill 109 creates new felony offenses of “riot […]
Hitting cops, roaming the Senate, smoking pot: DOJ says Ohioans were everywhere Jan. 6
In the big picture of the insurrection, the criminal charges against Alexander Sheppard are unremarkable. Federal prosecutors say Sheppard arrived in Washington D.C. from Powell, Ohio after posting on Facebook that the election was “RIGGED.” He faces five charges, including disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. He wasn’t accused of violence or destruction, but of […]
House passes bill creating new criminal charges for protesters
Ohio House Republicans passed legislation Friday that would expand the definition of “obstruction of justice” broadly enough to capture protest activity, according to social justice activists and civil rights advocates who testified against the bill. The legislation would qualify failing to follow a “lawful order from a law enforcement officer” as the obstruction of justice. […]
Senate passes bill making new penalties for crimes against police
The Ohio Senate unanimously passed legislation Wednesday that would increase penalties on protesters and others for alleged offenses against police. Senate Bill 16 would create a new criminal offense: “unlawfully impeding public passage of an Emergency Service Responder (ESR).” It prohibits people from “recklessly obstructing” a highway, street, or sidewalk in such a manner as […]
Columbus stayed peaceful because it prepared for war
Armed law enforcement officers stood watch at the foot of a statue in memory of President McKinley, each as still as the monument. Behind them, these words are etched into Vermont granite: “Let us remember that our interest is in concord, not conflict, and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not […]
Non-violent, heavily armed demonstration forms at Statehouse
A cohort of armed men stood at the Statehouse steps calling for unity. A conspiracy theorist with a megaphone yelled about dangerous vaccines, 9/11 and the 2020 election. A Black Lives Matter activist simply waved a flag in celebration of the looming inauguration of a new president. The entire Sunday crowd of roughly 100 stood, […]
Despite brawls, no OSHP arrests at clashing protests at Ohio Statehouse
A pugilistic day of political demonstrations that included two brawls between far-right demonstrators insisting the presidential election was stolen and Black Lives Matter activists ended with no arrests Wednesday. At least two rounds of fisticuffed rumbles with an array of participants broke out at different points through the afternoon along with some more minor spats. […]
COVID-19 protesters gather outside Ohio GOP Senate leader’s home, seeking veto override
Protesters gathered outside GOP Senate President Larry Obhof’s personal home Sunday seeking to pressure him to override a gubernatorial veto of legislation to weaken the health department. Although Senate Bill 311 passed with a veto-proof majority, the activists accused Obhof of stalling an effort to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of the bill. The legislation […]
Demonstrations, marches and clashes in Columbus in photos and video
Ohio Capital Journal staff have been out on the streets of Columbus over the weekend and into Monday, covering the protests and marches in Ohio’s capital city. Demonstrations across Ohio come in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed during a stop from the Minneapolis police this week. Video […]