As many as 20,000 people filled and surrounded the Ohio Statehouse Feb. 22 to protest Senate Bill 5, a piece of anti-worker legislation that would ban collective bargaining and strikes for workers in Ohio. Activists from across the state joined labor unions, students and other workers to voice opposition to the bill. The AFL-CIO and major Ohio labor unions endorsed the action, including AFSCME, SEIU and Teamsters.
A limited number of workers were allowed into the building, excluding thousands from a public hearing on legislation that would have a direct impact on their lives. Thousands of workers were left outside in freezing temperatures.
The demonstration at the Statehouse echoed the sentiment of the protests in Wisconsin. Many signs showed support for the workers of Wisconsin struggling against a similar anti-union bill there. As legislative debate began inside the Statehouse, workers flooded the building and chanted “Kill the bill!” and “What’s disgusting? Union busting!”
Organizers from the ANSWER Coalition were in attendance at the demonstration. Volunteers passed out fliers for the upcoming March 19 protest at the Statehouse that will demand “Jobs and education, not war.” ANSWER activists tied the struggle for quality jobs and workers’ rights with the struggle against war and racism.
Some demonstrators also voiced their support for the growing people’s movement in the Arab world. One sign read “Egypt, Tunisia, Ohio?”
The labor movement in Ohio is standing against anti-worker legislation. The momentum from the demonstration must be channeled into the future to continue the fight-back movement.
