DAYTON, Ohio (WKEF) — The Miami Valley made its voice heard on Tuesday during the national “Free America Walkout” movement and a “Stop ICE” rally.
“Free America Walkout:”
This year, the national Women’s March chapter asked people to do a walkout at their workplaces and schools to show that they are concerned with things going on in the country.
The push was also to get local communities to host events.
A community member, Mel Rodriguez, helped organize an event with different activities, like sign-making and whistle-making stations, and organizations that could provide information.
Rodriguez said a big part was encouraging people to meet one another, connect and talk about their concerns.
“It’s a great community to bring people together. We’re just big enough to make an impact, as you see, and a lot of people like to get involved and find things to do,” said Rodriguez. “You have your voice. That’s the one thing we do have, right? No matter who you are, you can be the youngest of young, the oldest of old, you have your voice, and you should use it.”
Immigration was one of the most-discussed topics, and the Miami Valley Immigration Coalition was there with resources. Dayton 24/7 Now was told that ICE agents are out in the area, people are being detained and some community members have asked the coalition to be more visible.
“I’m hearing that they’re all scared to death, and it doesn’t matter if they have papers, if they are citizens, even. If they look like they might be a migrant or they speak another language, they feel very much at risk,” Janet Futrell, a member of the leadership team for Miami Valley Immigration Coalition said.
A diverse group of people attended the event.
A high school student said that young people are passionate about what is happening in the country.
“I know me and my friends talked a lot about, like, this is crazy. What are we gonna do? We all know it’s gonna go downhill from here. We have to do something,” Coraline Holquist, a student at Stivers School for the Arts said.
A local father said that he felt compelled to show up because his son is concerned for his immigrant classmates.
“They’re scared, you know, he’s a teenager. They wanna go to school. They wanna learn, and his friends are afraid that they’re gonna get hauled out of class by ICE,” Ron Beard said. “What is happening in this country right now is un-American. It is unpatriotic, and if you’re not standing up for it, you’re not paying attention.”
More events centered around immigration issues are expected to be planned in the near future.
“Stop ICE” Rally:
Not far away from where the “Free America Walkout” event was happening, a protest took place outside of Congressman Mike Turner’s office that was led by the Party for Socialism & Liberation.
One of the leaders said that they are trying to keep the momentum going after the protests calling for justice for Renee Good’s death in Minneapolis.
“We wanna draw attention to the fact that he’s also asleep at the wheel. If you go to his website and you look for press releases for 2026, you won’t find any,” Alec Johnson, the unit leader for the Party for Socialism & Liberation said. “I think there’s been a lot going on, so like silence from his office, it makes no sense whatsoever.”
People also held signs protesting what the United States is doing in Venezuela.
Dayton 24/7 Now reached out to Rep. Turner’s office, but did not hear back in time for this story.
