Resist + Persist hosts community rally
TROY- A crowd of approximately 50-100 demonstrators gathered on the sidewalks surrounding the Miami County Courthouse on Saturday, June 27, during the All of US: Truth, Equality & Freedom Community Rally organized by Resist + Persist.
Demonstrators chanted and displayed signs for passing vehicles during the event, which was part of a nationwide day of action ahead of the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations.
“The theme is Truth, Equality and Freedom,” event organizer Megan Kuchan said. “We’re also collecting donations for the Haitian Community in Springfield.”
“This is a national movement day,” another organizer, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “Ahead of the 250th, we’re coming together to reflect on the past and fight for a future that works for everybody, not just a select few.”
Demonstrators at the rally represented several causes, including the No Kings movement and anti-data-center groups.
Ohio House of Representatives candidate (and Resist + Persist founder) Katie Koehler Wagner also attended the rally.
“This rally is for the 250th anniversary and birthday of the U.S.,” Wagner said. “We’re just getting out and fighting for equality and freedom for everyone, no matter who you are or the color of your skin, and making sure that everybody knows freedoms are protected.”
The rally was the latest in a series of demonstrations at the Miami County Courthouse, beginning with a Hands-Off Rally in April of 2025. Other demonstrations have focused on the Epstein files and the U.S. bombing of Venezuela.
“Each of those was about 100-150 people,” Wagner said. “Our biggest one was the No Kings last year (approximately 450 people). That was amazing.”
Many demonstrators said they were concerned about the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision regarding temporary protective status for Haitians currently living in Springfield.
“It’s just really sad and disappointing,” the organizer who wished to remain anonymous said. “The Haitian community has contributed a lot in Springfield. I just think it’s been spurred on by the administration spreading misinformation and drumming up hate against them.”
“They deserve to be somewhere safe, too,” Kuchan said. “Haiti is not a safe place to be right now, and that’s why the temporary protective status existed in the first place.”
“I grew up in Springfield, so my heart is there,” Wagner said. “I was there on Thursday when they held the vigil.”
“Everybody should feel safe where they live,” she said. “It should be everybody’s right.”
Resist + Persist Miami County is a non-profit organization founded in Troy, with a mission of challenging misinformation, confronting injustice and protecting the rights and dignity of all by engaging and educating our local citizens. More information can be found online, through the Resist + Persist Miami County Facebook page.
“Basically, it’s just encouraging civic engagement,” Wagner said. “Our next event is the Fourth of July; we will be walking in the Troy parade and the West Milton parade.”
“We need to show everybody that we do have a presence here,” she said. “We are not backing down; we are not going away.”
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