© 2024 Ideastream Public Media

1375 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 916-6100 | (877) 399-3307

WKSU is a public media service licensed to Kent State University and operated by Ideastream Public Media.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Armed Protesters Assemble at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus

Updated at 1:02pm
An Ohio State Highway patrolman is being transported by the Columbus Fire Department to a local hospital with an ankle injury. The patrolman was inside the Ohio Statehouse at the time of the injury, not with the crowd. More details on the injury are not available at this time.

Updated at 12:49pm
Armed protesters are rallying at the Ohio Statehouse in Columbus. The gathering has been, at times, loud, but so far peaceful. One member of the Boogaloo Bois who's going by the name, "Killdeer" talked about why they've come to Columbus today.

One protester on the Columbus rally, January 17, 2021

Updated at 12:30pm
The armed rally at the Ohio Statehouse and state capitals across the country are expected to begin getting underway at this hour. In Columbus, members of the Boogaloo Bois begin walking to the statehouse.

protesters on the move 210117

Throughout the march, they have been stating that they are not there to engage and that they are strictly on hand as peace mediators, working to ensure a peaceful coming together for unity on all sides.

Updated at 11:24am
Protesters are gathering near the statehouse in preparation for the rally. This protester who chose not to give his real name, posed for a portrait in a parking lot at the corner of State and 3rd. He's a member of the Boogaloo Bois, a decentralized group of armed protesters and demonstrators.

A protester gets ready for the rally in a parking lot near the statehouse.
Carter Adams
/
WKSU
A protester gets ready for the rally in a parking lot near the statehouse.

Protesters gather near the statehouse.

Protesters gather in a parking lot near the statehouse, January 17, 2021.

10:35am
Security is in place ahead of a planned noontime rally at the statehouse by supporters of President Donald Trump. A few small groups have gathered nearby, but there is a sizable presence of Ohio National Guard in the area. On Thursday, Governor Mike DeWine had indicated he was mobilizing 400 guardsman to be available to assist in Columbus and elsewhere in the state is needed.

Ohio National Guard on hand for rally at the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is on hand at the statehouse this morning. He says he wanted to make the rounds and shake the hands of state highway patrolmen who are helping to keep things safe.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost talks with state highway patrolmen guarding the statehouse.
Carter Adams
/
WKSU
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost talks with state highway patrolmen guarding the statehouse.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol which provides security at the statehouse is also on hand.

An Ohio National Guardsman moves barricades to assemble a gathering area for some of the television camera people who will be filming the protest.
Carter Adams
/
WKSU
An Ohio National Guardsman moves barricades to assemble a gathering area for some of the television camera people who will be filming the protest.
photo of the Ohio Statehouse
Carter Adams
/
WKSU
Two state highway patrolman stand guard on the steps of the Capitol before a planned rally by the Boogaloo Bois.

Updated: January 17, 2021 at 11:31 AM EST
This story will be updates as new information becomes available. This story was originally published at 10:35am on January 17, 2021.
Carter is an award winning multimedia journalist specializing in audio reporting and photojournalism. His work has appeared in NPR, The Washington Post and The Portager, where he works as a photo editor and reporter. His reporting centers around working class issues and the LGBTQIA+ community with a focus on voter disenfranchisement.
Andrew Meyer is the deputy editor of news at Ideastream Public Media.