Local
We begin with ANDREA MILLER and RAY MCCLENDON, two of our greatest grassroots leaders, introduce their overview for how to organize on the ground with GOTV and democracy center strategies.
As godparents of the Georgia Way/Miracle, they are at the core of the work we do in preserving democracy in this country.
With JOHN STEINER and CAMILLA REES and ROBERT DESMARAIS (from New Orleans) joining in, our co-producer STEVE CARUSO gives us a first-hand report from Ohio on fascist attacks you could not make up.
TATANKA BRICCA and JOEL SEGAL jump in with their unique long-term political wisdom.
From September 15th to October 16th, "National Hispanic Heritage Month is a momentous time in the United States where we come together to recognize and honor the incredible contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans throughout our nation's history, culture, and achievements." (The Library of Congress)
Prepare to be captivated by a diverse calendar of events that showcase the rich traditions, tantalizing cuisine, spirited music, and fascinating culture of various Latino countries. In addition, we will highlight impactful works for humanity right here in the United States.
Standing out among Columbus’ multiple crises of identity is its refusal to make serious, accurate comparisons with any other cities anywhere: not in Ohio, the US Midwest, the US, North America, the world. This is a certain form of urban or place blindness, amnesia, and/or pathology—chose your metaphor and analogy. In other words, an unwillingness, even inability to find itself and therefore to develop and grow fully, responsibility, and honestly with respect to its human and physical resources, possibilities and limits.
This requires admitting and accepting all contradictions, limitations as well as strengths. The most distinctive cities admit the problems frankly. Most have a public sense of humor. Pittsburgh, for example, was long the pothole capital of the U.S. That is no longer the case. A local candy manufacturer now sells Pittsburgh Pothole Filler, an attractive box of popcorn dipped in delicious dark chocolate. Buckeyes, chocolate or plain, do not compare.
All knowledge including self-knowledge is comparative. Columbus’ willful blindness imprisons it.
It was worth the long wait this past Saturday morning at Trinity Baptist Church on the Eastside for those with way too many guns on their hands. The City was buying any gun a citizen had to offer – even 3D printed guns, which are illegal – with no questions asked. Some of these same citizens walked away with hundreds, and in some cases, thousands-of-dollars’ worth of gift cards from the City.
“It took me about three hours to get to where the police were,” said a source who did want to offer his name for publication. He lives outside Columbus and walked away $2,000 richer. “I went right to the gun store and bought some more guns.”
The City was offering up to $750 per gun, and the source told us he was able to get a gift card for a 3D printed gun. He had not printed and assembled the gun just for this buyback, but it’s certainly possible other sellers had done so. The City bought 344 guns for $136,600.
Before the buyback Mayor Andrew Ginther touted its potential for success.
“This will be one of our biggest buybacks ever,” he told NBC4.
Wednesday, October 4, 2023, 10:00 AM
House Bill 259 (H.B. 259), one of two bipartisan bills to end Ohio's death penalty, will have its first of four expected committee hearings in the house this week. Every time we have a hearing on our bill, it demonstrates that there is legislative momentum behind ending the death penalty. Each hearing we have is a step closer to a vote. Ohioans to Stop Executions is asking us to come to the Statehouse, in person, to be present for H.B. 259's first hearing.
Our organization's team will work with folks in the major metropolitan areas of Ohio to organize carpools and transportation, as needed. If you can attend the hearing, please add your information here.
The Columbus Coalition for Rent Control (“the Coalition”), a local nonprofit organization advocating a citizen ballot initiative, filed more than 4,200 petition signatures with the Columbus City Clerk at 11am on Tuesday, October 3, seeking a vote on a legislative proposal designed to empower citizens and encourage property owners and residential landlords to moderate rental price increases.
The group has determined that it will cease collection of petition signatures and will withdraw the petition, instead asking the City Council and council candidates for election to enact the legislation, which the Council could do on any Monday. Members of the Coalition released the following statement:
Tuesday, October 3
Afghan refugee Donya (Anaita Wali Zada) lives in Fremont but works at a fortune cookie factory in San Francisco. Seeking connection, she decides to send a message out to the world through a cookie in this offbeat vision of the universal longing for home.
As youth violence continues to rise in Columbus, and parents of teenagers are “begging and pleading” with legal and elected authorities to arrest and lock them up (WBNS TV “Mother of son who keeps stealing cars: Please lock him up” September 27, 2023) what options are these parents being provided with if any?
As mayor of Columbus, I will allocate $3 million into our Columbus Public Health Departments budget that will provide grants to families to obtain behavioral health and social supports through the OhioRise program.
Monday, October 2, 12noon, several different locations across Ohio
On Monday, October 2 at 12noon, students across Ohio will be walking out and attending the Day of Action. We will be registering students to vote, listening to speakers, and engaging with our communities. You can register your school below.
Click this link to register your school.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
Hosted by Ohio Student Activist Alliance.