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Ohio University students and Athens residents gathered at the Athens County Courthouse on Friday to mourn the death of democracy.

Students and locals mourn death of democracy on courthouse steps

Correction appended.

“We are gathered here today in what is probably the last legal gathering of its kind to mourn the passing of our beloved friend, democracy,” Jake McClelland, a junior studying history and political science, read into a megaphone.

Ohio University students and Athens residents gathered on the Athens County Courthouse steps in a “candlelight vigil” for democracy at about 4 p.m. Friday. Some wore veils or held signs. One sign read, “is this reality, or just a really sad Onion article?” Another only read “F---” in block letters.

A Facebook page for the event suggested there would be a casket, but it turned out to be too expensive. McClelland, who organized the event, also failed to provide candles.

“I couldn’t find candles, so this isn’t really a vigil,” he said to the gathering. “I guess I lied to you twice on Facebook.”

The demonstrators held a moment of silence, then took turns addressing the group. Some gave speeches about national issues. Others spoke about local topics.

“I would like to give a eulogy to pretending to giving a f--- about women on this campus,” Claire Seid, a member of F--kRapeCulture, said.

An OU English professor is facing losing his job after several female students reported that he sexually touched and harassed them. The earliest report dates back to 2003. Seid said the university protected the accused professor, Andrew Escobedo.

“This has been a 14-year cover-up by the university,” she said. “People knew, professors knew, the department knew, and only now, finally, has there been any kind of justice.”

Hannah Borowski, a junior studying political science, said recent events have driven her trust in both the national government and campus administration “deep into the ground.”

“I lost my faith in the administration because I saw my best friend … being arrested and dragged away from a protest, and not one word was spoken by the administration,” Borowski said, referring to a Feb. 1 demonstration where 70 students were arrested in Baker Center on trespassing charges.

Other speakers also criticized university administration, and some celebrated McDavis’s departure.

Adar Matzuba-Ehrlich, an OU junior studying history, described his experiences with racism and ignorance growing up in Athens. He said Appalachian residents can be backwards, but deserve compassion because they live in “the most f---ed-over part of the country.”

“Realize who your enemy is,” he said. “It’s not Joe down the street who says ‘f--- the refugees’ and makes $9,000 a year.”

He told those assembled to direct their anger to the people at the top instead.

Reaction to the demonstration was mixed. One man driving by in a Jeep yelled •“He’s our president,” but some people cheered or gave thumbs-up.

McClelland wrapped up the demonstration at 4:45 p.m. He told everyone present to go see that night’s performance of "The Vagina Monologues."

@baileygallion

bg272614@ohio.edu

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated Hannah Borowski's views on working for the government. The article has been updated to reflect the most accurate information. 

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