Crowd gathers in Sidney for silent protest against mandatory COVID-19 vaccines

SIDNEY — A crowd of people gathered outside of the Courthouse Square in Sidney for a silent protest against mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations at workplaces.

The silent protest, organized by Dayton area nurses, began at 10 a.m. and was planned to run until 2 p.m.

Allison, a local nurse who did not release her last name, told News Center 7 that those who gathered today are just asking for “freedom of choice.”

Last week, the Ohio Hospital Association issued a recommendation to local hospitals to adopt policies requiring employees and staff to require the COVID-19 vaccine.

>> Ohio Hospital Association encourages local hospitals to require COVID-19 vaccine for workers

“OHA recommends hospitals independently adopt policies requiring COVID-19 vaccination for employees and staff, with local factors determining whether, how and when such policies are implemented,” the association said in a statement.

Following the recommendation, Premier Health, Kettering Health, and Dayton Children’s announced they will require all staff to get the COVID 19 vaccine.

>> Premier Health, Kettering Health, Dayton Children’s to require COVID-19 vaccines for all employees

“This decision is made with a great deal of research, analysis and discussion, putting the safety of our children at the forefront,” Dayton Children’s said in an announcement.

During today’s protest, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people showed up, including people from the community and healthcare personnel, Allison said.

“Some of us have being doing this for 20, 30, 40 years, and we were good enough then on the frontlines on an unknown virus with no vaccine. Why are we not good enough now?” Allison said.

Around 50 people gathered at the Courthouse Square. Allison said she believes this is just the start of more protests to come regarding mandatory vaccinations.

While the OHA recommends implementing the requirement of vaccines at local hospitals, it said it “recognizes the unique circumstances of each hospital and community in Ohio and understands that vaccine requirements are embraced by some people and rejected by others.”

“We’re just hoping these corporations can at least hear our voice and just know we want our freedom. That’s what we want,” Allison said.

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