714,137 total signatures collected in two months
COLUMBUS – Today ,We Are Ohio announced at a press conference on the steps of the Ohio Statehouse that 714,137 total signatures have been collected in just two months. This surpasses the We Are Ohio goal of collecting 450,000 to 500,000 total signatures and represents more than three times the total amount of valid signatures needed to place the repeal of SB 5 on the November ballot.
“We are absolutely blown away at the overwhelming support shown by the more than 10,000 volunteers who have been working extremely hard to collect signatures thus far,” said Melissa Fazekas, spokeswoman for We Are Ohio. “Even with this incredible number, we know some Ohioans would still like to add their name to the list. We encourage them to visit one of our many signing events this weekend and for any petition circulators to return their books as soon as possible. We stood at the Statehouse today where thousands of hardworking Ohioans stood earlier this year protesting SB 5. While their voices were drowned out by the extreme politicians who decided to pass SB 5, today We Are Ohio wants thank our volunteers and let them know their voices will be heard.”
We Are Ohio was joined at the press conference by the following five supporters who want to repeal SB 5, the unfair attack on employee rights and worker safety:
• Jesse Vogel, Student at Oberlin
• Erin Doran Salzer, Special Education Teacher
• Nancy Greathouse, Nurse
• John Capretta, Firefighter
• Dan Wagner, Police Officer
“SB 5 will affect my family and my children,” said John Capretta, a Columbus firefighter. “This fight isn’t about being a democrat or a republican. This has become an attack on the middle class. I am proud to be part of the unprecedented support from public and private sector workers who have been out collecting signatures to support worker rights and the repeal of SB 5.”
We Are Ohio is confident that the 231,149 required valid signatures and the 44 county requirements will be met and the repeal of SB 5 will be on the ballot in November 2011.
The deadline to submit the signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State is June 30.
We Are Ohio is a citizen-driven, community-based, bipartisan coalition that has come together to repeal SB 5, the unfair attack on employee rights and worker safety. We Are Ohio includes public and private sector workers and employees, police officers, firefighters, teachers, nurses, pastors, small business owners, Republicans and Democrats, local elected officials and business leaders, students, Moms, Dads, family members, and your neighbors.
We Are Ohio website.
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