People
On Wednesday, March 19, over 1000 Ohio State students and community allies marched from The Ohio State University to the Ohio Statehouse to protest Senate Bill 1, dubbed the "Higher Education Destruction Act." The bill threatens to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, restrict academic freedom, and impose political interference in higher education institutions. Students are calling on Governor Mike DeWine to veto this bill and protect the future of Ohio’s universities.
The march began with a statewide walkout at noon and culminated in a rally at the McKinley Statue outside the Statehouse.
“Senate Bill 1 is an attack on students’ futures. We will not let our voices be silenced as lawmakers prioritize politics over education.” - Clara Conover, Lead Organizer, Ohio Student Association
“This bill jeopardizes everything that makes higher education a space for growth and opportunity. We are urging Governor DeWine to stand with students and veto SB 1. We’ve submitted over 1,700 testimonies opposing this bill. It’s clear: Ohio’s students reject SB 1.” - Sydney Ball, Budget Fellow, Ohio Student Association
Despite spring break in full swing at campuses across Ohio, including the Ohio State University, Ohio University, Cleveland State University, and Kent State University, dozens of students gathered at the Ohio Statehouse to testify against Senate Bill 1, a controversial higher education bill currently under consideration in the Ohio House. The bill would consolidate university governance in the hands of the government, censor what students can and can’t learn, gut our professors’ labor rights, and ban any program, office, or scholarship deemed to be “diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan talk about women-led and all-women music groups from the rock era and some other genres including Heart, the Runaways, Sweet Honey and the Rock, TLC and more!
Listen live at 11pm Friday, March 7 and 14 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Monday at 2pm streaming March 10 and 17 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Archived on Mixcloud here
Wednesday, March 5 President Trump threatened to strip federal funding from colleges and universities that allow their students to “illegally” protest and threatened to deport, imprison, and/or expel students who are using their right to free speech. These threats are a desperate attempt to silence a movement that is working—we won’t back down.
Sunday, February 23, 2025 was a cold, wintry day in Central Ohio, but concerned citizens gathered at Rickenbacker International Airport to challenge the wisdom of building a $1 billion weapons factory in Columbus Ohio. The project, called Arsenal-1, would build numerous types of weapons, including flying drones, underwater vessels, and surveillance towers, for government agencies and the military.
On Saturday evening, on a quiet residential street in Bexley, Ohio, a crowd began gathering along the sidewalk in the cold. Word had spread that the wealthy home owner was hosting a fundraiser for Senator John Husted. Neighbors and other area constituents gathered to protest the Senator’s decision to mingle with donors at a fundraiser while he remains inaccessible to everyday Ohioans. Senator Husted has yet to open a single in-state office and voters cannot get through on his one DC telephone number.
Thank you to all of Leonard Peltier's supporters who have donated their lives, their money, their tireless work to see Leonard Peltier breathe free air.
We have raised $5355 to support Leonard's journey home and his independence. Please visit www.freeleonardpeltiernow.org to see our progress and profound thank yous.
Leonard will be released on February 18th. We do not know the time. When we have information on how you can contact Leonard when he gets home, we will let you know.
#LeonardPeltierFreed
A recent survey conducted by the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio (AHACO) claims a “supermajority” of residents support more housing in existing neighborhoods. The AHACO, a nonprofit, also stated, “NIMBY [Not In My Backyard] voices may be loud, they do not represent the vast majority of Central Ohioans.”
Even though it was titled, “Overwhelming: Central Ohio’s Housing Survey,” the AHACO says only 1,357 Central Ohio residents took the survey, meaning their so-called “supermajority” is representative of 0.050 percent of the region’s population. The AHACO is financially supported by Huntington Bank, Mortgage Bank Association, The Columbus Foundation, Homeport, National Church Residences, Wynn Developers, among others.
The AHACO says their survey, “Is the most comprehensive research to-date on how residents really feel about policies that create more housing options and lower the cost of owning or renting a home.”
The February 2025 Free Press Salon was held over Zoom on February 8. This is what happened.
Please like Share Subscribe The Feb, 2025 Freep Salon!
Free Press Board member Mark Stansbery started out the February 2025 salon by leading a discussion on the topic of Black History Month, highlighting the importance of understanding the struggle for liberation and recognition.
Dr. Bob Fitrakis and Dan-o Dougan spin tunes and talk about sports songs.
Listen live at 11pm February 7 and 14 streaming at wgrn.org or on the radio at 91.9FM
and
Mondays at 2pm streaming February 10 and 17 at wcrsfm.org or on the radio at 92.7 or 98.3FM
Archived on Mixcloud here