Hundreds filled Courthouse Square in downtown Warren this weekend, as local labor groups hosted an "America Fights Back" rally.
Retirees, laid off workers, union leaders and even politicians were among those in attendance at Saturday's event. Jim Graham of UAW Local 1112 said the purpose of the rally was not self-serving, "Not for Jim Graham, not for the auto workers, not for the steel workers, not for the seniors. For America, that's what we're here for."
People held signs demanding jobs, and Warren Mayor Michael O'Brien responded, "The lawmakers in Washington need to hear what communities like Warren are struggling through. They've taken our jobs. They've taken our services. Now, enough is enough."
Some say one simple solution is to "Buy American," and they want to put pressure on politicians to deliver. Attorney Dave Betras, the newly appointed chair of the Mahoning County Democratic party, says his party is taking action. "We're going to start endorsing again in Mahoning County, and here are the first two questions: Do you support buy American? And two, you better not own a foreign car."
In general, those in attendance say they just want the government to know that middle class Americans have had enough. It appears that message got through to at least one person in Washington, Ohio Congressman Tim Ryan. "The only way we are going to get through this is by us sticking together as Americans, as Ohioans, as people who live in northeast Ohio, as union members, as church members. We get through these tough times by hanging together," Ryan said.
