Nonpartisan Group Aims to Unite Belmont County
Belmont County republicans, democrats and independents are joining forces to speak up, spread the truth and unite residents.
Belmont County Unify is a nonpartisan political organization established to protect and defend democracy.
The group formed in the spring after hearing Wheeling activist Martha Polinski at group sessions in Wheeling. Many attendees were from Belmont County inspiring Belmont County resident Marie Compston to launch Belmont County Unify.
About 80 people are currently signed up on the group’s listserv. It continues to grow as the group addresses issues Americans are currently facing.
The group participates in protests when something bad happens in America, Compston said.
Belmont County Unify members protest along Pancoast Rd. over Interstate 70. (Photo provided)
Belmont County Unify participated in the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival Parade, which Compston described as the group’s “initial membership drive,” introducing thousands of people to the group’s mission and work.
The organization is registered with National Indivisible, a movement of local groups with a mission to elect progressive leaders, rebuild democracy and defeat the Donald Trump Agenda. Although the group is registered with the national organization, Belmont County Unify operates locally, Compston said.
Group members travel outside the local area when there is a big demonstration on a particular day, such as Oct. 18 when some of the group’s members participated in the Columbus “No Kings” protest at the statehouse, a demonstration against what organizers describe as the authoritarian policies of the Trump Administration.
Member Jean Cooper said the group stands for “liberty and justice for all.” The group tries to reach concerned Americans.
“Just know if you’re upset about the stuff that’s going on, that’s what we are upset about, too,” Compston said.
She added the group serves another purpose, which wasn’t initially part of the plan, as a community for people who feel isolated and feel like they can’t speak out.
“They were afraid of their neighbors, of what people might think if they found out that they really weren’t happy with what’s going on,” Compston said. “And so it’s just been a relief for a lot of us to get together and be able to talk freely.”
“Freedom of speech is an important one that we’re standing for, and that’s getting limited,” Compston said.
Belmont County Unify members want to keep speaking out, moving forward and uniting people of Belmont County.
With the upcoming November election, Cooper and Compston want every citizen’s vote to count.
Belmont County Unify can be found on Facebook. Information may also be accessed with the QR Code that follows:
“We’re going to keep informing people of the truth,” Compston said. “We’re trying to provide a safe place for like minded people to get together. We’re going to keep doing protests. We’re just going to keep pushing forward until something happens.”
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