On Sunday, Jan. 26, the Columbus branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and around 75 attendees gathered outside the Hamilton County Courthouse and marched downtown in protest against Donald Trump’s inauguration and his administration’s policies. PSL aimed to raise awareness for immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice and a “call for an end to the genocide in Gaza, the U.S. war machine and the rule of billionaires.” The protest, originally set for Inauguration Day along with four other PSL demonstrations across Ohio, was rescheduled due to freezing temperatures.
“We know this administration is going to embolden racists, zionists and transphobes,” said a PSL member at the start of the protest. “Now is the time to show our strength in numbers and band together to show the ruling class we’re here to support trans people, immigrants, people of color and all marginalized members of our community.”
PSL member Ian followed up: “In the short time since Trump’s inauguration, he has already moved to end a range of policies protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ citizens. He officially changed terminology of legal identification to specifically reflect biological sex, and this is a choice intended to take away the right to free gender expression.” Ian proceeded to say that this is endangering the safety of millions across the country, including in Ohio with the recent signing of House Bill 8 by Gov. Mike DeWine that requires teachers and counselors to out LGBTQ+ students to their parents.
Members of other organizations, such as the Cincinnati Tenants’ Union and the Coalition for Community Safety, were also in attendance and spoke at the event.
“We’re here on this chilly winter day to come together and organize ourselves against the increasingly rightward shift that the ruling class is imposing upon the people of our city, the working class people of this country and this planet — our people,” said PSL member Demetrius. “Make no mistake, the enemy is not your neighbor. The enemies are the lords that try to divide and conquer us, who force us to work for pennies while they make billions; who can’t even be bothered when they murder us by denying us health care, education and housing.”
Following the speeches, protestors took to the sidewalks and chanted through downtown with signs, megaphones and big banners saying, “Workers should have the power, not billionaires” and “Money for our needs, not the War Machine,” for passers-by to see until reaching Fountain Square and returning back to the Hamilton County Courthouse.
Keep scrolling to see photos from the protest.
Photos by Aidan Mahoney
