Residents gather at Cleveland Heights City Hall for the city's 13th annual Democracy Day hearing, sharing perspectives on voting rights, campaign finance, environmental protections and the future of democratic institutions.
Updated: Jun. 15, 2026, Published: Jun. 09, 2026
By Chris Pugh, cleveland.com | Advance Local Express Desk
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17f4J1S2NdJ3pLHzO6Dwhu-lHfEGZXNQj9XVVwtg_zAM/edit?tab=t.0
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio - Residents voiced concerns about corporate influence in politics, environmental protections, voting rights, and the future of democratic institutions during Cleveland Heights’ 13th annual Democracy Day hearing.
The hearing, held Monday as part of the city’s longstanding observance of Democracy Day, invited residents to share their views on the state of American democracy and discuss reforms they believe are needed to strengthen democratic participation.
The event traces its roots to Issue 32, a ballot measure approved by Cleveland Heights voters in 2013 that established the annual public hearing.
Organizers noted that the discussion comes as the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
Many speakers connected contemporary political issues to the principles outlined in the nation’s founding documents.
Greg Coleridge, a longtime Democracy Day organizer, urged residents to support efforts aimed at reducing the influence of corporations in politics.
“We must declare our independence from corporate rule, which is inextricably connected to plutocratic rule by the super-rich, and autocratic rule by the Trump regime,” Coleridge said.
Coleridge advocated for the proposed We the People Amendment, a constitutional amendment that would establish that constitutional rights belong only to human beings. The amendment would also declare that money is not equivalent to speech.
Concerns about large-scale development projects also surfaced during the hearing.
A resident raised concerns about the growth of hyperscale data centers across Ohio, raising questions about energy use, water consumption and environmental impacts.
The speaker also expressed concerns about the use of non-disclosure agreements during project negotiations and referenced efforts to place restrictions on large data center developments before voters.
Environmental issues emerged repeatedly throughout the evening.
Catalina Wagers said recent court decisions affecting the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency could have long-term consequences for communities across Ohio.
She cited concerns about water quality, climate change and the ability of federal agencies to rely on scientific expertise when enforcing environmental regulations.
“These developments could make existing protections more limited or more vulnerable over time,” Wagers said.
Several speakers focused on voting rights and campaign finance reform.
Kathy Flora, speaking as a member of the League of Women Voters, described the nation as facing a constitutional crisis and argued that large political contributions have diminished the influence of individual voters.
Linda Striefsky encouraged residents to remain engaged in the electoral process despite political frustrations.
“If you want our democracy to continue into the future, as I do, please exercise your right to vote in every election,” Strasski said. “It is the foundation for all of your other rights.”
While speakers addressed a wide range of issues and perspectives, a common theme emerged throughout the hearing: civic participation remains essential to the health of democratic institutions.
