News
People in Palestine have to endure a new hell every day and have faced life-threatening conditions in Gaza and even in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since October 7. That includes journalists, medics, and first responders, who are civilian heroes on the front lines and who face such danger every day.
Here are some examples:
Two days ago, on December 26, five journalists were murdered, and their bodies were burned after the Israeli Death Forces (IDF) targeted their broadcast vehicle near Al-Awda Hospital in Al-Nuseirat Camp, Central Gaza.
The martyred journalists were:
Once again, the Ohio legislature has gifted the oil and gas industry with an amendment stuffed into an unrelated bill during its last committee hearing of the lame duck session with no public notice or chance to comment -- this time extending leases to frack our public lands up to eight long years. And once again, Gov. Mike DeWine has signed such a bill against the wishes of Ohio citizens, of whom 98% commenting on fracking Salt Fork State Park were opposed.
Ohioans do not want to see our beloved state parks and wildlife areas turned into industrial zones by out-of-state corporations, ruining our beautiful natural spaces for oil and gas profits. We do not want to see our freshwater sold for one-third of one cent per gallon to the oil and gas industry, turned into toxic and radioactive waste by fracking, removed from the water cycle forever, and injected into wastewater wells where it can easily migrate.
leer en español
The Mayor’s Office has never officially called Columbus a sanctuary city, but unofficially since 2017 conservatives and MAGA have attacked it as such. This was the year of new immigrant friendly policies enacted by the Mayor’s Office, such as ordering Columbus police to never ask anyone whether they are undocumented.
Back then, police were instructed to “don’t ask, don’t tell” – and do not alert ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement), unless in response to a court order. No local tax dollars would be used to enforce federal immigration policy either, while services will be offered to all immigrants who are in need.
Touring German Village during the holidays at night has become a tradition for many, and just in time for this weekend’s German Village Lights the new mixed-used monstrosity “Jaeger Square” has opened for business – or at least started offering leases for its $1,000-a-month 350-square feet studios replete with Murphy beds.
Those German Village homeowners who spent years, a lot of money, and sweat equity building the character of Central Ohio’s most unique neighborhood have begun to speak out online. The five-story 261-unit apartment building (pictured above on left) with retail space is at the corner of Whittier and Jaeger Streets, a short walk to Schiller Park, and built by The Pizzuti Companies. And while Jaeger Square is actually in Schumacher Place and not German Village – a neighborhood that has stricter zoning codes and a historical commission that would have put up a tougher fight and more resistance – what’s done is done.
On Saturday, November 16, a small group of neo-Nazis marched through the Short North, near downtown Columbus, Ohio.
The group chanted vile expressions of racism and white supremacy, including the phrase “Bow down, [N-word]!” according to Rev. Derrick Holmes, senior pastor at Columbus’ Union Grove Baptist Church, speaking on behalf of members of his congregation who witnessed the vulgar display firsthand. The cowardly neo-Nazis spouted this hateful rhetoric while carrying black flags with red swastikas and spinelessly hiding distinguishing features behind black concealing outfits and red masks.
The presence of white supremacist groups, such as neo-Nazis marching in public spaces like the Short North will provoke strong reactions from various communities including African Americans and Jewish people, among others.
While some of our white allies may suggest to simply ignore attention-starved masked Nazis marching in our communities and dismiss them as “clowns,” this is easier said than done for African Americans and Jewish people. These events are viewed as deeply disturbing and threatening due to the symbols of hate and the ideologies these groups represent.
For African Americans: Fear, Anger and Historical Trauma
They may feel fear and anger, as these groups often promote ideologies that are explicitly racist and aim to intimidate minority communities. This can also trigger historical memories of racial violence (lynchings) and be a stark reminder of ongoing racial tensions and systemic racism.
For Jewish People: Distress, Alarm and Historical Trauma
This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame.
The Ohio Senate passed a bill on Wednesday prohibiting transgender students – kindergarten through college, at both private and public schools – from using multi-person restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity.
The vote on SB 104, which in a particularly dark turn occurred during Transgender Awareness Week, passed 24-7 along party lines and now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature.
The trans bathroom ban originated as HB 183, which its Republican sponsors named the “Protect All Students Act.” But on June 26, Ohio House Republicans tacked HB 183 onto SB 104 at the very end of a nearly 12-hour session. By amending a bill that originated in the Senate and had already been approved by that body, House Republicans circumvented the normal legislative process, in which HB 183 would have to be heard through Senate committee hearings.
This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame.
The Ohio Senate passed a bill on Wednesday prohibiting transgender students – kindergarten through college, at both private and public schools – from using multi-person restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their gender identity.
The vote on SB 104, which in a particularly dark turn occurred during Transgender Awareness Week, passed 24-7 along party lines and now heads to Gov. Mike DeWine for his signature.
The trans bathroom ban originated as HB 183, which its Republican sponsors named the “Protect All Students Act.” But on June 26, Ohio House Republicans tacked HB 183 onto SB 104 at the very end of a nearly 12-hour session. By amending a bill that originated in the Senate and had already been approved by that body, House Republicans circumvented the normal legislative process, in which HB 183 would have to be heard through Senate committee hearings.
This upcoming Saturday, November 16, we have a unique volunteer opportunity for you and the whole family! Join us in removing honeysuckle, an invasive species, from Deer Haven Park. We need lots of hands! There will be food trucks and various activities hosted during the day.