KENT, Ohio — The Portage County chapter of the NAACP is set to host a community meeting Thursday following what it calls "concerning comments" from Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski.
Zuchowski made national headlines last weekend when he called for people to "write down all the addresses of the people" displaying yard signs for Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, while also referring to the vice president as a "Flip - Flopping, Laughing Hyena." On Tuesday, he doubled down on his stance, posting on Facebook that he has "a first amendment right as do all citizens."
But the sheriff's words are making some people uncomfortable.
"I was very disappointed, and for the first time that I've lived in Portage County, I felt a little intimidated," resident Janet Dannemiller said. "It got me wondering, 'What are they going to be doing with the addresses? ... Should an emergency arise, if we have to call 911, will they check the caller's political preference to see how to respond?'"
Dannemiller has lived here in what she calls a "friendly community" for over a decade, and worries the sheriff's comments could change that dynamic. Now, she wants answers, so she's planning to attend the NAACP's "emergency meeting."
"We're hoping, first of all, for people to be able to talk and to share and for their voices to be heard," Portage County NAACP Vice President Geraldine Nelson told 3News. "It's very important for people to be able to be heard, because there's some hurt, there's some concern."
Organization leaders will also be bringing in what they call "subject matter experts" so those in attendance know their rights.
"(We'll get) someone for the (county) board of elections to come if there's questions about their voting rights," Nelson shared, "and we will also have an attorney to give general counsel."
As for Dannemiller, she hopes the meeting will give people a sense of security.
"I hope that all the residents will have assurances that their vote doesn't matter as far as law enforcement goes and does not affect the care or protection that we are afforded," she said.
The meeting will take place at Kent United Church of Christ beginning at 7 p.m. WKYC has been told there will be extra security on hand.