By Wendy DiAlesandro
The Summiteer

About 200 people packed the lawn in front of Stow City Hall on the evening of March 4, many of them chanting slogans, holding signs supporting a number of causes, and cheering when motorists passing by honked their horns in support.

The gathering was sponsored by the Stow-Munroe Falls Democratic Club. Demonstrators held signs indicating support for Ukraine, inclusive equality, and scientific truth. Other signs read, “The DOGE ate my country,” “Congress, Do your Job: Defend Democracy,” “Think while it is still legal,” and “This sign has more courage than the House and Senate.”

“Stop the Coup,” read another. And “I believe in Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.” “Don’t let Public Lands Go Extinct.” “When it comes to human rights, there is no compromise.” “Yes to Equality. No to Racism, Bigotry, Fascism, Nationalism. Speak Up!”

The crowd erupted into periodic chants, shouting “This is what democracy looks like!” “This is what democracy sounds like!” and “Hey, Hey” Ho, Ho! Elon Musk has got to go!”

During the hour this reporter spent at the rally, there were no confrontations of any kind. One man shouted at demonstrators to wake up and read the Bible as he drove past, and a youth who seemed to be in his early teens yelled, “Yeah, 2025,” possibly in reference to Project 2025, a political initiative designed to weaken checks and balances at the federal level.

The organizer of the event, a woman identified only as Carla, said the Stow-Munroe Falls Democratic Club will focus on phone banking in the coming weeks as no additional demonstrations are planned.