Ohio Activism in 2024: A Year of Resilience, Resistance, and Reform

Ohio's landscape in 2024 has become a vivid battleground for immigrant rights, law enforcement accountability, and community safety, marked by relentless grassroots activism and significant policy developments. From student-led protests to statewide strikes, the state's communities are demonstrating unparalleled resilience and strategic mobilization in confronting systemic injustices and federal enforcement overreach.

A Rising Tide of Grassroots Mobilization

The momentum for change has been palpable across Ohio, with ongoing campus and community protests galvanizing support and visibility.

• Student-led sit-ins and marches at Ohio State University (OSU) and other colleges continue to target Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recruiters and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Despite arrests—three recent protests saw law enforcement intervene—these actions energize youth and advocate voices fighting against deportation and systemic repression.
• In Cleveland, school walkouts at Garrett Morgan High School voiced strong opposition to upcoming ICE raids, with banners proclaiming “I don’t want to see my people get taken away”—a grassroots message emphasizing community solidarity.
• The Akron ‘ICE OUT’ Day of Action drew thousands, featuring marches and cultural events that reinforced community bonds and mutual aid networks, asserting that resistance is both moral and strategic.

A historic milestone was achieved on January 30, with Ohio's first statewide general strike in recent memory. Organized by coalitions of community groups and labor activists, hundreds gathered outside the Ohio State House, declaring, “This is a moment of collective resistance.” Participants demanded comprehensive immigration reform and called attention to federal overreach. This strike not only signaled Ohio’s emergence as a leader in national movements challenging enforcement oversteps but also energized ongoing activism and community organizing across the state.

Personal Stories and Digital Mobilization

Personal narratives have played a crucial role in amplifying resistance efforts. The story of Salvador Herna, an Ohio immigrant forced to seek asylum in Michigan after ICE raids fractured his household, highlights the human toll of federal enforcement. Civil rights organizations report a decline in patronage at local businesses and increasing mental health challenges among immigrant families, illustrating pervasive fear and trauma.

Digital campaigns, using hashtags like #OhioResistsICE and #StopICE, continue to mobilize support, raising awareness and demanding accountability from federal agencies. These online efforts complement on-the-ground protests, creating a broad-based movement that spans geographic and social boundaries.

Enforcement Incidents and Policy Controversies

Tensions have escalated due to recent enforcement incidents and controversial policies:

• An ICE detention inside a Columbus courthouse during a routine case triggered protests and eroded public trust in federal agencies.
• The opening of a new ICE enforcement office in Westerville has stoked fears of increased deportations, sparking community resistance.
• Debates over stationing armed ICE agents at voting sites have intensified, with critics warning that such measures could intimidate voters and undermine electoral integrity.

Viral footage from Springfield depicting an ICE raid targeting Haitian immigrants—where a woman was shot during the operation—has deepened mistrust in federal enforcement. Her lawyer’s statement, “We cannot trust our federal government,” has become a rallying cry highlighting concerns over excessive force and accountability deficits.

Law Enforcement Under Scrutiny

Ohio law enforcement agencies face mounting pressure for transparency and reform:

• Officer-involved shootings in Elyria and Hamden have provoked demands for independent investigations and police accountability.
• Videos from Ohio State University showing militarized police responses during protests reveal tactics critics say escalate tensions rather than de-escalate.
• Systemic misconduct continues to surface, including the conviction of a Toledo officer for theft and ongoing investigations into correctional facility abuses.

Community advocates are pushing for mandatory body-camera use, stricter pursuit protocols, and the establishment of independent oversight bodies to rebuild trust and ensure accountability within police departments.

Systemic Failures and Community Impact

Beyond enforcement issues, systemic neglect manifests in various ways:

• A grand jury indictment uncovered a Columbus apartment manager exploiting approximately 1,300 Haitian tenants through unsafe housing conditions, exposing ongoing racial and systemic neglect.
• Infrastructure crises, such as Youngstown’s water loss due to aging systems and boil advisories in Bellefontaine, underscore the urgent need for investment in public health and safety infrastructure.

Personal stories continue to highlight the human toll of these failures. Recently, a child abducted out of Madison County was recovered in west Columbus near Hilliard, a case that underscores ongoing safety concerns. Additionally, a fatal crash in Erie County resulted in two deaths on US 6 near Vermilion, emphasizing the critical importance of road safety and emergency response.

Community-Led Responses and Policy Innovations

In response to these challenges, Ohio cities have enacted measures to protect vulnerable populations and improve safety:

• Cities like Cincinnati and Columbus have limited ICE’s access to surveillance systems and property, aiming to shield immigrant residents from federal enforcement overreach.
• Legal victories include a federal injunction temporarily halting the termination of Haitian Temporary Protected Status (TPS), providing critical relief amid ongoing legal battles.
• Mutual aid organizations have expanded legal and mental health services, fostering community resilience and solidarity.

Recent law enforcement operations, such as Akron’s crackdown on gang-related gun violence, have resulted in the seizure of 42 firearms and the indictment of nine individuals, aiming to curb violence while sparking debate over policing strategies.

City leaders in Cincinnati are also contemplating legislation to restrict public records requests, which could impact citizens’ ability to scrutinize government actions—a move critics argue may undermine transparency.

Priorities Moving Forward

Despite ongoing challenges, Ohio communities remain actively engaged:

• Advocates are pushing for mandatory body-camera policies, independent oversight commissions, and greater investments in infrastructure to address water, transportation, and housing crises.
• Civic initiatives include local restrictions on ICE cooperation, community safety programs, and cultural events like Cleveland’s Kurentovanje and Youngstown’s Black Excellence Expo, which celebrate resilience and cultural identity.

Looking Ahead

Recent developments, including successful legal wins, community protests, and policy reforms, suggest a sustained push for systemic change across Ohio. The state’s grassroots movements are demonstrating that collective action can challenge injustices, hold institutions accountable, and advocate for equitable policies.

As Ohio navigates 2024, the energy and determination of marginalized populations continue to shape the state's future. The recent recovery of a child abducted in Madison County and the fatal crash in Erie County serve as stark reminders of the ongoing need for community safety and systemic reform.

Ohio’s active civic engagement signals a robust push toward justice, transparency, and safety—highlighting that grassroots activism remains a powerful force for meaningful change in the Heartland.