Ohio Statehouse protests remain peaceful as small, armed group rallies

There were people in tactical gear walking around with an assortment of large firearms, and baseball bats and sticks.

There was one guy, a listener of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, with a bullhorn yelling at other people, provoking heated interactions on topics ranging from Harry Potter to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Ohio Statehouse protest live updates:Protesters gather outside State Capitol

There also was a dancing trucker, at least one American colonial era-style wig, a couple of Joe Biden flags and a number of curious onlookers who stopped by the Ohio Statehouse on Sunday afternoon for what officials had feared could turn into a violent uprising.

But around 3 p.m., members of the Ohio National Guard, the State Highway Patrol, Columbus Police and other law enforcement personnel far outnumbered the armed protesters, who made no effort to storm Ohio’s Capitol or otherwise repeat the sort of mob violence that occurred in Washington, D.C. earlier this month.

No arrests or property damage at Ohio Statehouse

The State Highway Patrol said no arrests were made, nor was there property damage at the Statehouse, as of mid-afternoon.

Most of the self-proclaimed “Boogaloos” — they were careful to point out that they were not “Proud Boys” — said they were there to promote unity and peace, not destruction or armed support for outgoing President Donald Trump. 

What is a 'boogaloo?':Some protesting at Ohio Statehouse today

Most protesters declined to provide their full names, including “Henry,” a central Ohio man and one of the organizers of Sunday’s event.

“I do wish that the guy who’s being extremely disrespectful to a transgender female in the crowd would tone that down,” Henry said, referring to that aforementioned conspiracy theorist, who was shouting into a bullhorn nearby. “… Any message of hate or violence will not be tolerated.”

He added, “We’re trying to bring people together. If we fight each other forever, we’re never going to change.”

Why come to the Statehouse armed a week and a half after a violent mob stormed the U.S. Capitol as lawmakers attempted to certify the results of the presidential election?

“We, as Boogaloos, are strong advocates for the Second Amendment,” he said. “Whatever kind of event we go to, we are armed, as long as the law allows. … We do it out of not just protection for us but protection for the community if something crazy were to happen.

'Violence will not be tolerated':Ohio Statehouse closed, National Guard stationed Downtown for protests

"If it does get violent today, we have every intention of leaving so that we don’t be associated with that.”

Another man, dressed as George Washington and wearing a skeleton mask, offered, “When you carry firearms, you don’t get gassed.”

And “JC,” who said he works in private security in northern Ohio, said carrying firearms out in the open helps normalize them.

“They are a tool,” he said. “They are a conversation starter. The more familiar people are with guns, the more comfortable they are.”

Hundreds of law enforcement officers present, prepared

Hundreds of law enforcement officers, many seated in Humvees and other military vehicles, were out in force Sunday, with barricades blocking access to the Ohio Statehouse and monuments around Capitol Square. Personnel with binoculars could be seen on rooftops blocks away. A camera-mounted drone monitored from above.

Just after 11 a.m., a group of protesters, about 50 men in total, approached the west steps of the Statehouse to announce their arrival and their intent to remain peaceful. Some condemned the attack on the U.S. Capitol and said they were not aligned with any political party or office-holder or candidate.

“Everyone who has a message to speak today, as long as it is peaceful and nonviolent, will have the opportunity and platform to come up and speak their message,” the organizer identifying himself as “Henry” said. “We’re all liberty-minded individuals. … We are here for the people. We are not a pro-Trump group. We are not a Biden group.”

Others were supportive of Trump.

“Many of us from the heartland would like to be heard,” said a woman who wouldn’t provide her name because of her frequent work at the Statehouse. “The policies the incoming (Biden) leadership is bringing is frightening."

Kathy Sherman, an East Side resident and one of the first protesters to arrive outside the Statehouse Sunday, held a large sign supporting protesters' right to gather and lawfully and peacefully voice their opinions.

"It's my first demonstration ever," said Sherman, who sported a plastic face mask with Trump's name across the top.

The armed protesters came to the aid of Daniel Werts, a transgender resident from Logan County, during a heated exchange with a man in the crowd.

“I’m here to remind Trump supporters that what they did at the Capitol was wrong,” Werts said. “You have the audacity to try to re-write history and make yourselves look like the good guys. That's pathetic."

There were a few other Biden supporters in the crowd, one carrying a sign reading “Sore Losers Go Home,” and two others with flags for the president-elect.

John Drury, of Hamilton in Butler County, wore pink sneakers and a "Dancing Trucker" shirt, and he busted shuffles and other dance moves toward passing motorists along High Street during the protest.

"The old me is dead and gone," read a tattoo above his right ear.

"There's good in the world. That's what I stand for," he told a protester who approached with an assault-style gun. "I don't need to be a follower. I'm a leader."

Some people started heading home early Sunday afternoon, just before the start of the Cleveland Browns playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

mkovac@dispatch.com

@OhioCapitalBlog