Protest
"The music we sing is rebellious!"
It’s the kind of rebellion that grows out of discontentment and leads to an Affirmation of life, and the belief in change for a better condition, a better world. It is a rebellion against mediocrity and a callousness which can only come from greed and fear. We believe this kind of rebellion, this kind of music, is the most positive sort of music that can be sung. Much of it is born out of a kind of enlightenment that comes about when people struggle to improve their lot; when they get so excited, so moved, so downright pissed-off, that they make up songs without hardly thinking about it. -- container notes for Daniel Shays Highway, sung by Shays Rebellion
The following series of photographs are illustrative of demonstrations undertaken by OCOPE on Oberlin's campus. The sounds of music and chanting filled the air and brought attention to the union's struggle during difficult contract negotiations in 2002, 2010, and 2016.
In response to the elimination of several bargaining unit positions and the displacement of our members, OCOPE organized a rally to bring attention to the college’s actions. The rally took the form of a New Orleans style funeral, complete with music. The marchers dressed in black walking behind a coffin of lost jobs and being accompanied by a trumpeter playing "Taps." The crowd of students, staff and faculty gathered on the square for a few words and then the funeral procession proceeded to the foot of the administration building. -- Julie Weir, former OCOPE President
In the photograph on the left we wanted to make sure the college knew we were serious about a fair contract and that we had strong student support. It was very loud with bells, beating on drums and even a guitar! The photograph on the right shows me speaking to the crowd prior to marching over to the Science Bldg., where the Trustees had gathered for a dinner. This particular protest was in response to the college drawing a line in the sand -- telling OCOPE their prior offer was the best and last. We were prepared to request the college return to the bargaining table. -- Suzanne Overstreet, former OCOPE President
The photograph on the left is during Commencement exercises May 23, 2016. Our members gathered during their lunch hour. Parents and Alums stopped to speak with us and give support. The photograph on the right is after a day of negotiations, the OCOPE Board was pleased to join in the show of Solidarity from members, students and alums when the College was leaving for the day -- Sandy Kanuch, former OCOPE President