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Rally organizers look for answers

Current events dictate topics for discussion

PEYTON NEELY The Marietta Times Cory Sampson, 23, of Lowell, and Ben Ekelman, 24, of Little Hocking, make posters at the Washington County Democratic Headquarters on Thursday morning to prepare for Saturday’s rally.

In the wake of President Donald Trump and a Republican Congress making changes in the nation, area residents have organized a rally for Saturday to ask for answers about health care, the environment and other issues.

The Next Wave Democrats of the Mid-Ohio Valley have organized the “Rally for Answers” that will begin at 10:30 a.m. Those participating will congregate at the Washington County Democratic Headquarters, at 227 Putnam St. in Marietta, to create signs and network. At 12:15 p.m. the group will then collectively walk peacefully through Marietta and pass the office of Congressman Bill Johnson, R-Ohio. They will then continue on to Muskingum Park where several speakers will share knowledge on some of the largest issues at hand including the Affordable Care Act, Stream Protection Act repeal and several others.

“This is an interesting time in our country and there are questions we’d like to have answered,” said Cory Sampson, 23, of Lowell. “This is a non-partisan event because we want people to know we aren’t just a party protesting the

Republicans.”

Sampson along with Little Hocking resident Ben Ekelman, 24, have worked together to coordinate this event. Sampson said he got the idea from a Bernie Sanders rally he attended in West Virginia a couple weeks ago.

“He mentioned that a lot of people around the country were rallying together on Saturday Feb. 25,” he said. “I brought up the idea at one of our Next Wave meetings and everyone was excited about it.”

Ekelman said he hopes to bring together the many activist groups that have emerged since the election and to have strength in numbers to accomplish their goals.

“We hope to make a difference with things involving the Affordable Care Act and others that help people,” said Ekelman. “It’s not about Republican or Democrat, it’s about doing what’s best for the American people. We want to get away from the idea of it just being parties.”

Sampson delivered a letter to Johnson’s Marietta office inviting him to the event to hear the people voice their concerns.

“It’s his job as an elected person to hear our opinions and concerns,” he said. “If we could hear his side, that would help.”

However, Johnson will not be attending the event due to prior obligations. According to Ben Keeler, communications director for Johnson, he will be at an event in Guernsey County speaking to veterans about changes that may affect them with a new administration.

“Congressman Johnson was previously scheduled to attend the veteran’s event,” said Keeler. “We already had this event previously scheduled and we aren’t going to cancel on them.”

According to Keeler, Johnson has heard the concerns of the people through letters, emails, phone calls and more.

“We are planning a tele-town hall for Monday evening which is like a town hall on a much bigger scale,” he said. “We do recommend if anyone wishes to be called for this to call our Marietta office and we can put their name on the ‘Do Call’ list.”

The office number is 740-376-0868.

Saturday’s rally is free to the public and both Sampson and Ekelman encourage anyone to attend.

“This is open to whoever and there are no any restrictions,” said Ekelman. “My speech will be talking to Congressman Johnson as if he’s there.”

Ekelman also mentioned that during the public speakers portion of the rally, anyone is allowed to talk.

“We hope for a good turnout to try and make a difference,” he said. “It’ll be very peaceful and we hope to get away from the bad image of Democrats.”

If you go

¯What: The Rally for Answers.

¯When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

¯Where: Meeting at the Democratic Headquarters, 227 Putnam St., Marietta, and marching down Front Street.

¯Who: Open to the public.

Source: Cory Sampson.

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