Action Alerts

Thursday, July 12, 7pm
St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 30 W. Woodruff
July 5-8, the Columbus ISO helped organize a nearly 50 person contingent to go to the Socialism Conference in Chicago. At this meeting, we will discuss the lessons on the Conference and how we can apply those lessons long-term to the building of revolutionary organization and social movements in Columbus. We will also discuss some of the developments in the fight against deportation locally and nationally and how we intend to orient towards it.

Wednesday, July 11; Wednesday, September 12; and Wednesday, November 14; 6:30-8:30pm, Bexley Public Library, 2411 E. Main St.

Why does the mere mention of the term “white privilege” seem to shut down meaningful dialogue? Why is it so scary? Is it real? Why bother? Join Suzanne Roberts, co-founder of Safe Conversations About Race, Dr. Maurice Stevens, Professor, Department of Comparative Studies, The Ohio State University, and Mary Lou Langenhop, as they facilitate a dialogue exploring the world we want to see and discovering what more is possible.

It is more and more undeniable that we live in a world where injustice is pervasive and tolerated. The host committee believes that we have to find another way beyond what we have inherited. They believe that the answers lie within us, collectively. Together, we will debunk myths and misunderstandings about white privilege and build conversation and community. This series will allow us to learn along the way, remembering that, no matter where each may be on the journey, we all can deepen our growth and understanding. You will leave with greater choice, skill, and new actions to create a more equitable society.

Monday, July 9, 9-11am, Ohio Statehouse

ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] is not just tearing apart families of undocumented people at the border. Here in Ohio, that agency is actively working to target, harass, and criminalize immigrants, directly furthering the Trump regime’s cruel white nationalist agenda.

On Monday, July 9, at 9am, we will rally to #aboliceICE outside the Ohio Statehouse.

Bring signs, bring friends, bring family.

Saturday, July 7, 2-6pm
1021 E. Broad St - backyard
WCRS is hosting a live afternoon of reggae music with live DJs interviews, food and drinks (beer sales to benefit the station) and a charity auction. It is an excellent opportunity to meet people from the local reggae scene, tour the WCRS studios and kick back and enjoy the weekend following the 4th of July.
Admission is free, so come down July 7th and support community radio. The studio is located behind 1021 E. Broad St and the parking lot behind the station is free to use. If you can't make it in person you can tune in to the event via radio at 92.7 & 98.3 or on-line via WCRSfm.org

Friday, July 6, 7-9:30pm
Gateway Film Center, 1550 N High St
Based on the bestselling book by Jonathan Safran Foer (Everything is Illuminated) and narrated by co-producer Natalie Portman, Eating Animals is an urgent, eye-opening look at the environmental, economic, and public health consequences of factory farming.

Tracing the history of food production in the United States, the film charts how farming has gone from local and sustainable to a corporate Frankenstein monster that offers cheap eggs, meat, and dairy at a steep cost: the exploitation of animals; the risky use of antibiotics and hormones; and the pollution of our air, soil, and water.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Y-z4Mpql6Ls

Join us for a special panel discussion with Columbus Vegan Meetup immediately following the screening.

Thursday, July 5, 11am-1pm
Ohio Statehouse, Broad and High Street
Hosted by Church and Community Development For All People and Ohio Hispanic Coalition - Coalición Hispana de Ohio
The rally will be held on the west plaza of the Statehouse at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 5. The speakers will be children from multiple CDF Freedom School sites throughout Ohio. RSVP at http://bit.ly/WhereAreTheKids

Wednesday, July 4, 1pm, beginning at Goodale Park [Park St. side], 120 W. Goodale St.

Celebrate Liberty and Lunacy and the freedom of speech, through humor with a range of off-the-wall mischiefs, grounded super-heroes, political debacles, homegrown satirists, and the other bohemian frolickers winding through the Short North. Political Satire at Its Worst!

See you on July 4. The Parade will start immediately after everyone stands and belts out the National Anthem at 1pm. Set your clock’s reminders now.

Parade route: north on Park St. to Buttles Ave.; west on Buttles Ave. to Dennison Ave.; south on Dennison Ave. to Collins Ave.; west on Collins Ave. to Neil Ave.; north on Neil Ave. to W. Second Ave.; east on W. Second Ave. to N. High St.; south on N. High St. to Russell St. Parade ends at N. High St. and Russell St.

Line-up begins somewhere around 12noon.

Rain date: July 3.

Block Party: 10am-7pm, Buttles Ave. between N. High St. and Park St.

Tuesday, July 3, 7-9pm
485 E Livingston Ave
Calling all musicians, comedians, dancers and poets! No matter your craft come and show it off at Inclusive. 
Art will be for sale in the studio store which is all handmade by local artists with disabilities.
Live DJ, coloring activities and play-dough will be on deck to keep you in good spirits throughout the night.

Monday, July 2, 2018, 9:00 AM 
First English Lutheran Church, 1015 E Main Street, Columbus, OH 43205
Miriam Vargas, originally from Honduras, is a long-term resident of Columbus, OH, and mother of two U.S. citizen daughters. Her decision comes as she has received an order of deportation which would separate her from her children forever. This happens as President Trump has increased the cruel and inhumane policies of immigrant detainments and separation of mothers from their children. Through sanctuary at First English Lutheran Church, she hopes to find the legal and community support she needs to keep her family together. In Miriam's words, “I have no other choice but to enter sanctuary. I am doing this to keep my family together. My two children are what matters. I need to be with them”. It will be a rough road ahead with an uncertain timeline, but she will not be alone. In Columbus, she will join Edith Espinal who has been in sanctuary for over 9 months at the Columbus Mennonite Church and will become the 5th person in Ohio to be in sanctuary publicly. 

Sunday, July 1, 3-5pm
North Congregational United Church of Christ, 2040 Henderson Rd.
Music that makes a difference – top Columbus songwriters present The Concert for Children at the Border. The event, hosted by North Congregational Church, is raising funds for Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES), providing legal counsel for children incarcerated by Homeland Security on the border with Mexico.

Among the scheduled performers are:
- Shaun Booker and Sean Carney, winner, Memphis International Blues Challenge
- Rj Cowdery, winner, Kerrville New Folk Festival
- Arkadiy Gips, violinist on two world tours with Madonna
- TJ George, winner, Columbus Music Awards
- Eric Gnezda - Songwriter and Speaker, creator and host of Songs at the Center, the American Public Television Series