By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Originally planned as an “ICE Out” rally in downtown Bowling Green, Friday’s protest grew into an outcry against the “daily onslaught” of President Donald Trump’s policies chipping away at democracy.
Holding a sign reading, “If you’re not angry you’re not paying attention,” Chris Haar, of Bowling Green, knew she needed to brave the cold to show her opposition to her rapidly changing country.
“I think we need to show everybody this is not OK,” she said.
Haar rattled off her concerns of the Trump administration’s lack of humanity, lying, narcissism, and lack of due process. Rising to the top this past week was Trump’s attempts at election interference with his plan to take over control of elections from states as is called for in the U.S. Constitution.
“With all the dumpster fires, that is rising to the top,” she said.
With approximately 90 protesters spread out over the four corners downtown, there were older citizens watching the country they have been proud of change under Trump, and young college students wanting to salvage what is left.
Many of them were regulars, compelled to show up to stand up for their country.
“I’m totally appalled at the corruption, the cruelty, the acts against democracy,” said Bob Midden, of Bowling Green.
Midden went on to list the damage being done to relationships with U.S. allies, and the decimation of federal agencies and their expertise.
“The list is almost limitless,” he said, adding in the threats to the Federal Reserve and “the havoc that can reap on our economy.”
Midden talked about the “relentless lying” from the administration that has destroyed Americans’ ability to agree on what is true.
“That makes our whole country much weaker,” he said.
Across the street stood Lee Hakel, of Bowling Green, who held a saying stating “Save Democracy.”
Dressed in a sweatshirt from University of Minnesota, her alma mater, Hakel said she wanted to show support for Minneapolis which is reeling under ICE sweeping through the community.
Hakel voiced her anger at Trump’s social media post earlier in the day, portraying the Obamas as apes.
“It’s just unbelievable. He’s gone too far,” she said. “Our president is insane.”
As she stood at the corner of North Main and West Wooster, Hakel noted a change in the response from motorists traveling through the downtown.
“There’s more honking, more waving,” she said. “Nobody’s giving me the finger.”
Hakel’s grandson, college student Damien Horvath said keeping up the pressure with protests is important – even if the Trump administration isn’t listening.
“I don’t want ICE to win. I think this helps,” Horvath said. “It shows them we won’t back down.”
Scott Stewart, of Bowling Green, another regular at the protests, also noticed the shift in responses from drivers – leading him to believe that perhaps people are realizing they can no longer be silent.
“I really do hope that’s true,” he said.
Holding a sign stating “Deport ICE,” Stewart said citizens need to voice their opposition to the mass deportations.
“We’ve got to change things. We’ve got to stop ICE dominating our country,” he said. “They’re not really doing what they were mandated to do.”
At the same corner stood BGSU student Sammy Davidson, with his sign stating “ICE Kills.”
“Killing people is really bad, and our president supports this,” he said.
Across the street, on the corner of East Wooster and North Main, was a group of BGSU students bundled up for the protest.
“It’s really important to make our voices heard,” said Luna Bernoski Gonya, who was holding a sign reading “We Have Eyes – No More Lies.”
“I feel like it’s important, especially in a small town. We still have a voice,” fellow student Juno Olah said.
