Join us on Saturday, September 27 —

People’s Rally against House Bill 1 (HB1) and Senate Bill 88 (SB88)

House Bill 1 (HB1) and Senate Bill 88 (SB88), currently under consideration in the Ohio General Assembly, would ban individuals and businesses from owning property within a 25-mile radius of “critical infrastructure” if their national origin is linked to countries whose governments are listed as foreign adversaries by the U.S. Secretary of State.  

These bills are discriminatory in their current form as they target immigrants solely based on national origin—without due process, in clear violation of the U.S. Constitution.  

The term “critical infrastructure” is overly broad - it includes everyday utilities such as water and sewage lines, telephone and electric lines, and cell towers. Imposing restrictions within a 25-mile radius of such structures would make it nearly impossible for affected individuals and businesses to own property anywhere in the state, threatening to drive immigrants and immigrant-owned businesses out of the state, harming Ohio’s economy.  

On September 27, concerned Ohioans will rally at Bicentennial Park and march to the Ohio State House to speak out against HB1 and SB88 in defense of our civil liberties, property rights, and constitutional protections. All are welcome to join this people's rally. 

Who:    Concerned Ohioans, public officials and community organizations

When:  September 27, 2025, 1 pm - 3:30 pm 

Where: Bicentennial Park (1-2 pm), 233 S Civic Center Dr, Columbus, OH 43215

              Ohio State House (2:30-3:30 pm), 1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215

Parking: See the list of parking facilities on the Scioto Mile website

Host organizations: Asian American Coalition of Ohio (AACO), Justice for Ohio, Ohio Chinese American Association (OCAA)

Co-sponsors: AWARE Ohio, Chinese Association of Greater Toledo (CAGT), Common Course, OCA-Asian American Advocates Greater Cleveland (OCAGC), Japanese American Citizens League Cicinnati Chapter (JACL Cincinnati), Japanese American Citizens League Dayton Chapter (JACL Dayton)

Flyers: English Flyer 中文海报

What’s Happening?

The United States has long been seen as a beacon of freedom and democracy. Yet today, rising economic uncertainty, polarized politics, and global tensions have left immigrants and marginalized groups stereotyped, targeted, and silenced. Across the country, we’ve seen innocent people interrogated at borders, researchers charged over paperwork errors—or simply their national origin—and international students stripped of visas after investing years of study here. Alarmingly, over 34 states are considering or have passed laws restricting property ownership based on national origin.

In Ohio, House Bill 1 (HB1) and Senate Bill 88 (SB88) would do just that.

The dangers:

  1. Overly broad definition of “persons.”
    These bills sweep in not just foreign governments, but also individuals, lawful permanent residents, refugees, and businesses—risking wrongful discrimination and likely violating the U.S. Constitution, federal civil rights laws, and Ohio’s own constitution.

    This mirrors the alien land laws of the past, echoing dark chapters like the Chinese Exclusion Act and the forced incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

  2. Overly broad definition of “protected property.”
    Beyond military bases, the bills cover “critical infrastructure” such as water, sewage, electricity, and cell towers. Their sweeping radius restrictions (25 miles) would make it nearly impossible for many immigrants and legal residents to own property anywhere in Ohio.

Read more about the dangers of House Bill 1 (HB1) and Senate Bill 88 (SB88) here or here (Chinese).

What Can We Do?

  • Contact your representatives to oppose HB1 and SB88

  • Attend committee hearings and make your voice heard

  • Join rallies and demonstrations to show public resistance

  • Donate to Justice Ohio to power advocacy efforts against these discriminatory bills