"We're going to set up the stage, and we're not going to play because we have been silenced."

Tuesday won't be the concert date Jen Carey and the rest of her band Blue Siren had in mind.

"When people show up and say 'why aren't you playing?' I say 'call the governor,'" Carey said.

Instead of taking to the stage, she's looking to gather fellow musicians and others in protest.
After someone complained to the Mahoning County Commissioners and Mahoning County Public Health Officials, the state unplugged upcoming outdoor concerts in Austintown, Beaver Township, and Campbell.

"It's unfortunate because a lot of them are doing a great job at social distancing," said Public Health commissioner Ryan Tekac. "Something we didn't want to do, but we had to do because the state said they're not allowed to go on."

Tekac says it's because the concerts violate the state's ban on mass gatherings, put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus.
But Carey is among those who say Columbus is overstepping into smaller communities and parks.

"They've done everything right and to pick on them and us and all local musicians included, is kind of what upsets everybody the most," she said. 

Austintown Township officials are hoping there can be a compromise, and Tekac says musicians and concertgoers shouldn't give up hope.

"I also reached out to Lance Himes, interim director of the Ohio Department of Health, they are working on guidance to potentially allow these events in the near future," said Tekac.

"We're here to put a smile on people's faces and bring entertainment and spread love, and that's pretty much it," Carey said Monday. She's hoping Tuesday's demonstration of solidarity will give her and her bandmates the chance to continue doing just that.

"Let us play," she said.

The protest is set for 7 p.m.