Local

I love Chinese food, but I have standards. What if there was a Chinese restaurant a mile away and rated 2 stars? NOT A CHANCE. No matter how hungry I might be, it’s worth it to drive farther for better Chinese food.

Why then, do we KEEP SETTLING FOR LESS? Recently, Columbus City Schools were rated overall as a TWO-STAR SCHOOL DISTRICT by the State of Ohio.

The Columbus City School Board has three Board of Education positions open for election this November 4. Every election we keep voting for the approved Franklin County Democratic Party (FCDP) “endorsed candidates.” And for all of our loyalty, our schools earn TWO STARS. No, it’s not the fault of the teachers or the students. It’s a MONOPOLY OF FAILED LEADERSHIP.

Politicians and education don’t mix

Wednesdays, October 15 and 22, 7:00 – 8:15 PM
More information and registration for the zoom here
Across the country, immigrant communities are under attack and authoritarian forces are gaining ground. But there’s a growing movement of people ready to take action with clarity, courage, and discipline.

This training is for all of us who want to stand up in solidarity, especially those of us who are white who are ready to organize, respond, and show up with commitment and care.

A stark but unsurprising contrast in the philosophy of governance and civil rights enforcement is emerging between the proposals of Project 2025 and the grassroots efforts of the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity.

While Project 2025 seeks to curtail federal oversight and reshape the civil service, the Ohio initiative, much like the historic 1871 Ku Klux Klan Act, aims to intensify and reinforce the accountability of government officials who’ve committed civil rights violations. The Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights citizen-led ballot amendment initiative was cleared for signature gathering earlier this year. The initiative seeks to restore a fundamental check on government power by allowing Ohioans to hold public officials and entities accountable in civil court.

Wednesday, October 15, at 9 a.m.
We will meet at 8:45 a.m. in the Statehouse Rotunda to gather and distribute small signs.
Then we will walk together to the hearing in Room 116 of the Ohio Statehouse shortly before 9 a.m.

he House Natural Resources Committee will hear sponsor testimony on House Bill 399 – a two-page bill that would ban oil and gas extraction from under Lake Erie or any Ohio state park.

Released American hostage Tom Hayes received a hero's welcome at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio yesterday Sunday October 12, 2025. 

He was among the nearly 500 Sumud Flotilla crew who were taken hostage by the Israeli pirates on October 3 in internarial water about 100 miles away from Gaza shores. 

All Global Sumud 46 vessels were intercepted by Israel as it was sailing to break the siege in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged and starving people in the Strip. They carried food, water, baby formula, and toys for kids.

Several dozen people from Central Ohio and some from Athens in Ohio came to Columbus airport to give Tom Hayes the welcome he deserves: A hero's welcome! After all, he risked his life for the people of Gaza and for justice. 

When Hayes saw the well-wishers with signs and balloons, he screamed from the top of his lungs repeatedly "Free, Free Palestine!" One of the well-wishers gave him a plant of olive trees, which is more than just a tree in Palestine but rather a symbol of resilience, rootedness, and deep connection of the Palestinian people to their land.

The city of Columbus no longer celebrates "Columbus Day" and has removed all Christopher Columbus statues, however there's a movement to return one. Instead, as of 2020, the day is referred to as "indigenous People's Day" -- something the Free Press and many local activists had been demanding for decades. 

In honor of this day, here is a poem by longtime local activist Michael Eckhardt, from his recently published book, Navigation: In these uncertain times. You can purchase the book from the Free Press here. 

dance with destiny

tall ships danced

across the water

the course of history

about to change

fence rows appear

each post a stake

in mother earth's breast

church and state combine

to commit acts of genocide

manifest destiny continues

proud indigenous peoples

deceived and displaced

environmental harmony

replaced by greed

just a spark remains

steeped in tradition

a pride and respect

too strong to overcome

The situation in Gaza has been horrifying. Provoked by Hamas attack and killing of Israelis at a concert two years ago, Israel has launched a devasting attack on
Palestinians throughout Gaza and even encouraged actively and passively settler violence in the West Bank. More than 65,000 Palestinians have been killed and millions were dislocated in a way many experts and observers call genocide and see as war crimes committed by Israel. One headline described the reaction among both Palestinians and Israelis as “elation” in greeting the ceasefire and the coming release of the remaining prisoners. No matter the rationalizations on all sides about the justification and necessity of war, the people love peace, hopefully making it impossible for the ceasefire to not be permanent.

Fewer governments, including the one currently in the United States, seem to be advocates for peace, despite the news from Gaza. Trump, while covetous of a Nobel Peace

From Indivisible Central Ohio
Last week, Jordan McLaughlin gave a fascinating presentation to ICO members about private equity and the housing crisis in Columbus that shows how the purchase of property by private equity in our community is driving up prices and making home ownership unattainable for many in our community. Jordan has written an ordinance that he would like the City Council to consider.

Call Shannon Hardin at 614-645-6354 and urge him to introduce the ordinance!  

Trek Manifest is recording an entire album at Natalie’s with a live band October 11th.

Do I understand this correct?

Yep it’s a live album recording indeed! I’ve been doing these shows with the band so it only made sense and it’s honestly way overdue.

i’m gonna ask you about some live Hip Hop band’s songs for a fun history discussion. I don’t expect you to know these songs. I don’t expect a book report on each song, I just want reactions. Look them up from tidal, Spotify, apple music or YouTube. It’s kinda like an Beavis And Butthead informal live band hip hop discussion.

Just give me reactions:

KING Tim III and the Fatback Band - Personality Jock
Ok! This is some disco type vibes but a little rap feel to it!

Stetsasonic - Go Stetsa
Legendary right here! Heard a few producers sample these guys!

The Goats - Do The Dugs Dig
Ok never heard of these guys but you can never go wrong with this break beat!

This isn’t a live band b, it’s a live rap album. BDP My Philosophy live hardcore worldwide
Legend. God MC enough said with this one!

Armed federal agents violently attacked and assaulted the owner and some workers of Panchos Tacos restaurant in downtown Mount Vernon, Ohio on Thursday, October 9, 2025. The attackers were not ICE, but rather Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). They appear to be related, and their tactics were similar, as they violently assaulted and kidnapped brown-skinned people trying to come to work. When the owner drove up to his restaurant with one of his workers Thursday morning they were approached by HSI with guns drawn and were assaulted and detained.

The owner is a US citizen who was born in the country. Several workers fled the scene. Some were caught and taken away. Their conditions and whereabouts are unknown to the general community. Reports are that the location is known to some, but not being released because families of those kidnapped are fearful that if protesters turn up at the detention location, it might cause violence and harm to their loved ones being detained there.