Local

To the Editors of the Columbus Free Press: 

​Protecting Ohioans Constitutional Rights Committee is united in protecting the Constitutional rights of Ohioans. As depicted in our movement’s imagery, the commitment is to ensure that "everyone deserves a fair trial" and to advocate for the protection of constitutional rights across rural, suburban, and urban communities. Whether individuals live in a rural farmstead, a suburban neighborhood, or the heart of urban centers, Ohio is one, and unity makes the movement powerful. ​

Monday, June 22, 2026, 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Global Gallery, 3535 N High St, Columbus

The superstar Indivisible Central Ohio Our City, Our Say ballot-initiative team will be training and distributing booklets. Stop by to learn more and make a difference!

All of us should have a say in decisions that impact our future. But today, City Hall works for big-money donors, and the way we elect Columbus City Council members prevents residents (who aren’t millionaires or corporate CEOs) from having a real voice at City Hall. Want to learn more about the problem?

That’s why Our City, Our Say is working to collect 25,000 signatures to get a simple fix on the ballot – true district elections for City Council by the people who live in that district. And we need your help to do it!

Here are three actions you can take now!

1) Recruit sponsors for HB 910 – Amya’s Law

The Columbus chapter of Moms Demand Action is asking for our help in recruiting members of the House Ways and Means Committee to agree to be co-sponsors of HB 910. The Moms chapter has taken Amya’s family under their wing, and Amya’s grandmother has been contacting Ways and Means Committee members, as well as all 99 House reps every day since the December shooting. Now we need more support from legislators for this bill so it can move forward and become law!

Here are the details about the bill:

HB 901 – Enact Amya’s Law for Child Access Prevention

Community Festival (ComFest) is back in Goodale Park Friday, June 26 through Sunday, June 28, 2026.

ComFest will feature over 200 musical performances, workshops and community-oriented programming over three days. In addition to the line-up of the city’s best live, local music spread over six stages, workshops, KiDSART, live comedy, wellness, poetry readings and other programming will be featured throughout the park. The much-loved Street Fair also returns bigger and better than ever with one-of-a-kind vendors, arts and crafts, local food and community organizations.

Now in its 54th year, ComFest’s history is celebrated in the ComFest Museum located in the frosty, air-conditioned Goodale Park Shelterhouse. Stop in to learn about Community Festival’s roots in social activism, protest movements, community engagement and civil rights.

ComFest is free and “Powered by Community.” There are no corporate sponsorships, only a commitment to the community and our Statement of Principles.

Volunteer opportunities are available all weekend. Give a shift and get chips for beverages and food and your very own ComFest 2026 volunteer T-shirt.

Saturday, June 20, 2026 - 7:30pm
North High Street at Warren, Short North, Columbus

MAKE PRIDE A PROTEST! MARCH FOR COLLECTIVE LIBERATION! NO COPS AT PRIDE!

Join us at the corner of High and Warren on June 20th at 7:30 PM to march for queer and trans rights and towards a world where there is justice for all oppressed people!

March for Collective Liberation!

PLATFORM:
1) Radically transfeminist
2) Anti-racist
3) Anti-capitalist
4) Anti-zionist
5) Pro-immigrant

Last night the men of the Eta Nu Nu chapter of the illustrious Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., held a 2-hour forum on Juneteenth. Among the topics that were interrogated were the holiday’s origins, the meaning of Juneteenth and its relevance in 2026. Although Juneteenth has been celebrated since 1866 a year after the start of Reconstruction this landmark occasion did not spread in popularity until the Great Migration (1910-1970) as millions of Blacks fled the hostile environs of the South and headed North in search of a better life. By 1980 Juneteenth had become a state holiday in Texas with the passage of House Bill 1016 thanks to State Representative Al Edwards and his allies. Widely known as the “Father of Juneteenth” Edwards dedicated his life to urging officials in other states to follow the example set by Texas lawmakers. His 40-year advocacy laid the groundwork for Juneteenth finally becoming a federal holiday in 2021 during President Joe Biden’s presidency. Edwards died in 2020, but his legacy lives on.

Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. These are three events happening for Juneteenth in Columbus.

29th Annual Juneteenth Ohio Festival
Friday, June 19 & 20 -12-11pm
Genoa Park

Juneteenth Jubilee Day Festival
Friday, June 19 - 12-4pm
Ohio History Center

Juneteenth On The Ave
Saturday, June 20 - 12-6pm
Mt. Vernon Avenue

More neighborhood events here

URGENT: On June 10, lawmakers passed House Bill 472, anti-voter legislation that would end vote-by-mail in Ohio as we know it. The bill is awaiting Governor DeWine's action, he has until June 24 to veto or sign this terrible bill into law.

This morning Governor DeWine made his long-awaited remarks about the death penalty. He was thoughtful, deliberate and well-reasoned in why he's changed his mind on the death penalty.

"With the dramatic drop in people being executed, and the over two-decade wait time for those who are executed, it is hard to make the case for the death penalty being a deterrent...I believe Ohio should abolish the death penalty." -Governor DeWine

Rural Ohio is experiencing a surge in grassroots activism during this election cycle, with new organizations emerging to support candidates and important issues statewide.

One organization, Common Good Coalition PAC (CGC), has formalized its presence as individuals from eleven counties in East Central Ohio join forces in Ohio’s 12th Congressional District, aiming for broadening Democratic leadership.

Residents are calling for policy changes and greater accountability from their leaders. Communities are coming together across county lines, united for a better future and doing so in a way that is enjoyable for all.

The fun begins with a Summer Tour of events hosted by the Common Good Coalition throughout the Twelfth District in June and July. Then the large Flip the 12th music festival happens in Mount Vernon on July 25, 2026. All events feature local musicians, food trucks, non-profits and vendors, along-side democratic candidates and leaders.

Get Out The Vote Summer Tour Events Across the District