PHOTOS: Dozens demonstrate during drive-in protest against Ohio U layoff announcement

Ohio University union members, students, professors and other supporters protested at a car rally Wednesday against the university’s recent announcement that more than 140 employees will be laid off at the end of May.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) unions gathered in their cars at the Peden Stadium parking lot. Organizers gave a speech to the crowd before forming a caravan and driving around Athens with their protest signs displayed.

Of the employees who will be laid off, 140 are members of the AFSCME and work in culinary, custodian and maintenance services. 

Two protesters secured their sign to a truck in Peden Stadium parking lot. The sign read “OU OH NO. AFSCME Strong.” Photo by Bo Kuhn.

The parking lot of Peden, Ohio University’s football stadium, quickly filled with protesters and their vehicles. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

A sign taped to one protester’s car read “Support Local 1699,” referencing the local chapter of the AFSCME. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

A marquee sign in the bed of a pickup truck read “$ave our jobs.” Photo by Bo Kuhn.

The Peden Stadium parking lot continued to fill with protesters and their vehicles. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

One organizer gave a speech to the protesters before they departed from the parking lot. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

A protester’s car with a sign that read “You don’t build a business you build people and then people build the business!” The car also had the local AFSCME chapter number written on the window. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

An organizer and a student gave a speech to the protesters before they departed. Photo by Bo Kuhn.

Photo by Bo Kuhn.