Thunder Roads Ohio and Reasons to Ride will be hosting a “Ride To Be Heard! Our vets should be honored — not Hanoi Jane” event for motorcyclists on May 3 in protest of Jane Fonda, who will speak that day at Kent State as part of the Presidential Speaker Series during the 50th Commemoration of May 4, 1970.

“We want to bring enough riders down to the campus and through the streets of Kent so that the sound they hear and everyone else watching remembers is that of patriotic riders honoring our Veterans,” the Reasons to Ride website stated.  

The ride was announced on Facebook Wednesday; more than 300 people indicated they will go as of Feb. 26 and 1700 others are interested in the event. 

Kent State is paying Jane Fonda $83,000 plus covering some expenses to speak, which has caused mixed reactions. During her speech, she will “discuss her life in social activism and reflect on the history and legacy of the events of May 4, 1970.”

The ride is free to register, but the shirt and flag cost $20, which will be donated to local veterans’ charities. 

The ride will start at the Kent American Legion Post 496 on Mogadore Rd at 1 p.m. on May 3, and will continue onto the streets of Kent during Fonda’s speech. 

Sara Crawford is an assigning editor. Contact her at [email protected].