People
The first vote I ever cast was for a Democrat. I believed in the Democratic Party, and I want to believe in them again. But most of them aren’t listening, and they’re not meeting this moment with the bold ferocity it requires. Until they do, I’ll remain skeptical, critical, and vocal.
Indivisible Central Ohio recently hosted an empty-chair town hall meeting for Ohio’s 15th Congressional District. Here’s how they described the event after it ended:
Navigation – in these uncertain times, A Book of Poetry by Michael Eckhardt Sr., just released by the Free Press/CICJ Books, is a compilation of free verse and haiku that will move and inspire the Free Press reader. Many of Michael’s poems frankly express Michael’s avowed radical political views on war and society’s numerous flaws including police brutality, injustice, apathy and much more.
The sentiments in this poem detail horrors that could describe any war, but are particularly relevant to the Gaza conflict today, titled “odds are.”
odd, the bombs which fall
are ordered, built and dropped
by those, once children
they have lived lives to date
with complete absence of contrition
the same odds and laws of probabilities
apply to those children about to hit
but their choices cut short
no chance to decide
how to live or which course to take
who can figure such odds.
On June 14, millions of people in more than 1,500 cities across all 50 states and commonwealths will take to the streets. No Kings is expected to be the largest single-day mobilization since President Trump returned to office—a mass, nationwide protest rejecting authoritarianism, billionaire-first politics, and the militarization of our democracy.
Ever since the ending of my 2023 campaign for mayor, I continue to be asked if I will run for mayor again in 2027. My reply has been, “In politics you never say never. I am currently in a wait-and-see mode. The election is two years away.”
As for Andy Ginther’s campaign claiming he will run again in 2027, I will say this:
War no more!
This Memorial Day weekend, Veterans For Peace is calling on its members and friends to reflect on the gravity of the day, whose official purpose is to “honor all those who died in service to the U.S. during peacetime and war.” Veterans For Peace chooses to honor ALL who have died in wars, both combatants and civilians. Our hope is that a sober accounting of the casualties of war will mitigate against the tendency to turn Memorial Day – like Veterans Day – into a patriotic celebration of U.S. militarism.
We remember the words of President Eisenhower, who during World War II, was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe:
“War is a grim, cruel business, a business justified only as a means of sustaining the forces of good against those of evil”. He also famously stated, “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
Medal of Honor winner Marine Corps General Smedley Butler took it a bit further:
As the first African American woman and first public defender to sit on the United States Supreme Court, Ketanji Brown Jackson’s place in history is assured. Educated at public schools and the daughter of teachers, Jackson’s high school ambition was to graduate from law school and obtain a judicial appointment.
Like many African Americans, Jackson can document a history of slavery in her family. She also knows firsthand the sting of racism; after all, she was reared in the South and has been a Black woman in America for 54 years. Yet her immediate and extended family told her all her life that she was destined for greatness and above engaging with the prejudice that lingered even after the African American freedom movement of the 1960s. One incident during her childhood was especially distressing.
12pm noon - May 25, 2025
Deeds Point Metropark, 510 Weber St
On May 25, people from across the country will gather in Dayton to protest NATO’s assembly and hold a counter-summit -- the People's Assembly for Peace and Justice. For over 75 years, NATO has been a dealer of destruction in places like Afghanistan and Libya and threatened the entire world with devastating global conflict. The march and counter-summit will demand that our taxpayer dollars be used to meet the needs of working people instead of lining the pockets of executives at weapons manufacturers.
Buses and carpools are being organized from as far away as New York City along with Pittsburgh, Chicago, Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Toledo, and Louisville.
Free Press Board member Mark Stansbery opened the session, mentioning it's the Columbus Free Press May Day version of the Second Saturday Salon, focusing on immigrant and worker rights. He noted recent events like May Day protests and anniversaries of Kent State and Jackson State.
Bob Krasen of Healthcare For All Ohioans announced a new initiative by Columbus Community Bill of Rights to contest state pre-emption through a city charter amendment, with signature gathering to begin at Comfest June 27-29.
Bitty & Beau’s Coffee, the groundbreaking North Carolina-based coffee shop dedicated to inclusion and empowerment, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Columbus, Ohio. Founded by Ben and Amy Wright and named after their two children with Down syndrome, the company launched in 2016 with a mission to change the way people see people with disabilities—especially in the workplace.
“Eighty percent of people with disabilities don’t have jobs -- and we’re out to change that. Not just by providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, but by showing our guests what’s possible,” said co-founder Amy Wright. “Bitty & Beau’s Coffee has created a path for people with disabilities to become valued, accepted and included in every community -- we’ve said it from the start -- it’s more than just a cup of coffee.”
Wright added, “We’re incredibly excited to bring Bitty & Beau’s Coffee to Columbus. With the support of this vibrant community, we know we can make a meaningful impact.”
Every year, WGRN 91.9FM radio commemorates their Earth Day Birthday to celebrate their first broadcast in April 2016. This year they partnered with WCRS 92.7/98.3FM community radio to hold a special celebration at El Vaquero with food, drinks, an awards ceremony and more.
The Earth Day Birthday celebration was held Saturday April 19 at the El Vaquero party room, 3230 Olentangy River Road
Awards recipients:
Producer of the Year:
Evan Davis, producer of "Conscious Voices" and "Your Music" and a long-time supporter of community radio in central Ohio.
Evan comes from a family of artists and social justice activists. His grandparents were charter members of the Pacifica Radio station KPFK in Los Angeles, where his mother, folk singer Leslie Zak, was an occasional guest on the children's music show, Half Way Down The Stairs. As a child he attended numerous protests against the Viet Nam War, and would later organize protests in Columbus against the US war on Iraq.