COLUMBUS, Ohio – Even as a deal ending the government shutdown appears to be in the works, a rally is scheduled for this morning in downtown Columbus aimed at chastising Congress for inaction.
Representatives of labor unions, liberal activists and community leaders are holding a protest rally outside the John Bricker Federal Building at the corner of High and Spring Streets where organizers say they will try to send a message to Ohio Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill to “reopen the government and stop threatening to send us into a global meltdown if you don’t get your way,” according to a statement from Brian Rothenberg, executive director of the liberal activist group ProgressOhio
“Republicans in Congress are holding the country hostage unless they can stop the Affordable Care Act. Ohio’s GOP Congressional Delegation just doesn’t get it. You shouldn’t threaten to crash the economy to stop hard working Ohioans from getting health care,” Rothenberg said.
Rothenberg will be joined at the event by Patti Viers, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 1148; Teresa Poland, a volunteer with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; representatives of US Action; Organizing for Action, the organization built on the foundation of President Obama’s reelection campaign; the Alliance for Retired Americans and Fair Share.
They will be sending a ceremonial “cease and desist” letter to members of Ohio’s congressional delegation.