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STEUBENVILLE -- Free Ohio Now supporters rallied Saturday for freedoms they say have been eroded during Ohio's months-long coronavirus response.
About 30 adults and children turned out for the event, held in Eastern Gateway Community College's parking lot. The college itself was not affiliated with the rally.
Robert Greiner, a small business owner and Steubenville resident, said he scored the event a success.
"As a God-fearing man, I feel the event was a success because as scripture tells us, in Matthew 18:20, 'For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them,'" Greiner said. "I know that two or more gathered in his name today, and I intentionally opened the rally with prayer. I did so to first give praise to God because, let's face it, we are truly blessed. "However, if we don't preserve our freedoms and our rights that so many men and women have selflessly fought to preserve, we too will be in dire straits during our time here on earth."
Greiner said as a community, a state and a nation, Americans must "bind together" to protect democracy. He said the Ohio House passed an amended bill limiting health orders to 14 days before a review by the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (Sub Senate Bill 1), as well as another that would remove the penalties and reduce fines for violating Ohio Department of Health orders to $100 (SB 55).
"That would make it easier for businesses and individuals to decide their own risks and benefits," Greiner said, urging residents to contact their state senator to request support for both bills.