More than 100 people, ranging from elementary schoolers to retired community members, gathered in Oxford Memorial Park Sunday afternoon. The event was designed to protest various grievances under the current government administration, from cuts to healthcare initiatives to tariffs.
Oxford Citizens for Peace and Justice planned this event as part of the mass protests against the current government administration that swept the nation over the weekend.
Protesters held homemade signs that read “Trust science,” “Hands off our democracy,” “Deport Elon,” “What Cory said” and “Does this a** make my country look small.” People lined the sidewalks around the entire park and waved their signs as cars drove by and honked. One woman rolled down the window of her car to say “thank you” to the protesters.
The topics protesters were concerned about were far-reaching, although many of the older community members were particularly concerned about cuts to social security and how tariffs might impact 401(k)s. Ellen Price, an Oxford community member, said she was concerned about the increasing partisanship the Trump administration was initiating.
“The point of a democracy is that we have two parties that work out compromises in a civil and intelligent way,” Price said, “and that’s just not what has happened.”
Jaimie Pribble, a former teacher at Maude Marshall Elementary School, said she was particularly concerned about how Trump’s policies would impact schools in the Talawanda School District.
The event also featured multiple speakers who spoke about issues such as veterans’ initiatives, LGBTQ+ rights and environmental and deportation issues.
Cars honked as they drove by the protest in Oxford Memorial Park.
Veterans’ affairs
Tom Cooke, who served in the army and spent an additional two decades as a military intelligence officer, addressed cuts to programs veterans rely on, as well as the mass firing of thousands of veterans.
“Forty-five years serving this country, and I never thought I had to look over my own shoulder because of my own government,” Cooke said. “That’s just wrong.”
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Education
Emily Greenberg, a professor of computer science and software engineering at Miami University, spoke about the dismantling of the Department of Education under the current administration. Specifically, Greenberg said that federal funding is responsible for programs like Title I grants, which ensure all students have access to a quality education.
In 2024, $651.1 million in Title I grants were distributed to public schools across Ohio, according to the Legislative Budget Office for the Ohio General Assembly.
Federal funding also supports the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These grants are the second largest source of federal funding for public schools. In 2024, $490.5 million in IDEA funds were given to public schools in Ohio, according to the Legislative Budget Office for the Ohio General Assembly.
Many protesters said they were concerned about how government policies would affect Oxford.
Environment
James (Jim) Vinch, an adjunct professor at Miami and former attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), spoke about his experience at the EPA under Trump’s first presidency.
Vinch left his remote work role at the EPA in March 2025 after being told he would have to move to Washington, D.C., and return to the office. The government has already begun to impact the EPA, and Vinch said Trump “completely neutered” the agency’s enforcement abilities.
Vinch ended his speech with a call to action.
“I certainly believe that the average citizen in this country is the most powerful political actor in the entire system,” Vinch said, “but we need to make our voices heard.”
LGBTQ+ issues
Megan Kuykendoll, Oxford community member and the treasurer of Oxford’s PFLAG chapter, spoke about policy attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and increasing restrictions on medical procedures for transgender people.
“When trans people and trans bodies are policed, all of our bodies are policed,” Kuykendoll said.
Kuykendoll also urged the community to make their voices heard by contacting public officials.
Community members queued up to receive information on how to contact their elected officials.
Agriculture
William (Bill) Miller, vice-president of the Ohio farmers’ union and former chairperson of the Department of Agriculture’s Minority Farmers Advisory Committee, talked about Trump’s tariffs and the impact his economic policy would have on farmers.
“The recently announced tariffs, along with the funding cuts and staff layoffs at the United States Department of Agriculture, appeared to benefit no one,” Miller said, “except perhaps those government officials who want to create more chaos and confusion.”
Ukraine response
Oxford Mayor William Snavely spoke about the Trump administration’s response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which includes rescinding humanitarian aid from the area. He said the U.S. needs to stand by Ukraine as its citizens face continued problems from the ongoing conflict.
Snavely also encouraged community members to donate money for an ambulance in Oxford’s sister city in Ukraine, Dubno.
Citizens of Oxford and students from Miami University attended the protest.
Student perspectives
Patrick Houlihan, a senior political science major and president of the College Democrats of Ohio, talked about the impacts of Trump’s policies on students. Specifically, he discussed international students who have been detained by immigration enforcement after engaging in political activism.
“When [students] use their First Amendment right to speak, they shouldn’t be scared that they’re going to be kicked out of this country,” Houlihan said. “This fascist behavior cannot be excused.”
The next protest is scheduled to happen on April 19 in Oxford Memorial Park.
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