Local
Wednesday, June 28 - 1pm
Ohio Statehouse
Now is the time for us to gather in unity with one clear message --
We as Ohioans say NO to Cop City.
We know what we need for safe communities, and this is not it.
Please wear red to support families impacted by police brutality and come with your knowledge of what we do need in the budget to make our communities safer.
For the past year the world has watched as activists and community members of Atlanta have fought against the proposed “Cop City,” and it seems officials in Ohio want to bring a similar training center to Central Ohio. Officials are looking to create a commission titled "The Joint Law Enforcement Training Center Study.”
I have always been interested in religion and its role in American society. My five siblings and I grew up in a religious household. Up until the time I was in third or fourth grade we lived right next door to Hilltop United Methodist Church. Even after moving, we were only one street over from the church, so we could hardly get out of going. We attended Sunday school, church, Vacation Bible School during the summers, and sang in the choir. We also had scripture and prayer before we went to school for several years until sports and school activities wreaked havoc with our schedules and made the logistics of those activities too difficult. If by some miracle any of us managed to skip church one Sunday, we knew that we would not be allowed to go anywhere during the rest of the week.
"Asteroid City" is undeniably the most Wes Andersony movie to date, with his vivid colors, meta-narrative, and signature cast of quirky characters. This being his 11th feature film, Anderson also wrote the screenplay, with credit to frequent collaborator Roman Coppola. Don't let the bright colors fool you; this film delves into the existential crisis experienced by his characters, both within and beyond the play titled "Asteroid City."
The film opens with a black-and-white 4x3 ratio, hosted by Bryan Cranston, taking us behind the scenes of the play "Asteroid City." It serves as a TV special documenting the life of playwright Conrad Earp (Edward Norton) and his work on the play. We also see the director, Schubert Green (Adrien Brody), managing to keep the production afloat.
It’s 1988! England and Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government is about to pass a law stigmatizing gays and lesbians, forcing Jean (Rosy McEwen), a gym teacher, to live a double life. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyzes a crisis that will challenge Jean to her core.
Jean coaches the netball team, itself a riot of burgeoning teen emotion and conflict. She's quite middle class. She's still in touch with her family. Likewise, she does not always behave in a morally exemplary fashion. As news stories proliferate about the impact of Section 28. Tory ministers pontificating on moral decay, activists storming the House of Lords, Jean is hyper-aware of every glance and murmur in her direction. She makes bad decisions; but she's so unaware.
Given his public statements and his actions especially as mayor of Columbus, Ohio, I have been forced to ask a number of times: does Andy Ginther actually live in the city of Columbus? He does not know the physical, socio-cultural, economic, or political city. He is clueless about any identity, and profoundly ignorant of its largely undocumented and unwritten history.
His latest comments force me to ask: does he live in the United States? On Earth?
Given his public statements and his actions especially as mayor of Columbus, Ohio, I have been forced to ask a number of times: does Andy Ginther actually live in the city of Columbus? He does not know the physical, socio-cultural, economic, or political city. He is clueless about any identity, and profoundly ignorant of its largely undocumented and unwritten history.
His latest comments force me to ask: does he live in the United States? On Earth?
Monday, June 26, 2023, 7:00 PM
While the Biden administration tends to perceive the world as being divided between two great power blocs, with the U.S. and its allies on one side and a nefarious alliance of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea on the other, most of the world sees a more complex picture, with multiple centers of power and complex, fluid arrangements among the major players. This is evident in the world's response to the war in Ukraine. The Ukraine War has crystalized forces that have been building for years, crystalizing a new multipolar world.
While many in Washington believe that the entire world, minus those four bad actors, supports Western-backed efforts to ensure a decisive Ukrainian victory over Russia, most Global South leaders have avoided taking sides in the war and prefer an early negotiated settlement. What they see emerging is a multipolar world, in which the U.S., the EU, China, Russia, India, and other countries exercise significant global power and influence, along with regional powers like Turkey, Brazil, Indonesia, and South Africa.
Sunday, June 25, 2pm, Ohio Statehouse
There’s power in our pride when we fight back against capitalist oppression!
Join us to fight back against transphobia, queerphobia, racism, and capitalism this Pride Month! It’s time to mobilize and organize for a socialist future through our liberation from the evils of the capitalist system. It’s time to unite against the reactionary and fascistic attacks on our communities, so we can fight and win!
See you there. Be sure to bring a friend, wear a mask, and comfortable walking shoes!
Hosted by PSL [Party for Socialism and Liberation] Columbus.
Saturday, June 24, 11am, Goodale Park [during ComFest; in the Peace and Healing Tent], 120 W. Goodale St.
Join us for a joyous commemoration of longtime activist, musician, cook, gardener, friend, and Comfest community member Connie Harris (Eschelman). Connie left us in April; this is our chance to celebrate her life and her spirit and to thank her for the love she gave during her time with us.
Emcee and music will be by Dan Dougan; musical tributes will be by Brian Clash Griffin, Greg Kilcup, Bob Sauls, and possibly more.
Speakers, including friends and family, will say a few words.
Your presence and participation are welcome!
Hosted by The Columbus Free Press.
Friday, June 23, 3:45-4:45pm, Goodale Park [during ComFest; in the Peace and Healing Tent], 120 W. Goodale St.
Stop the fascism in the Republican Ohio legislature.
Join the discussion at Comfest on Friday, June 23 at 3:45pm in the Peace and Healing Tent.
Pranav Jani will lead the discussion about S.B. 83, the bill that restricts Ohio public colleges and universities from teaching or holding training on diversity/inclusion, climate change, and other topics; prevents faculty from striking; and essentially makes the institutions a safe place for hate speech.
M.J. Borden will lead the discussion on Issue 1, which will be on the ballot during the special election in Ohio on August 8. This bill is meant to prohibit citizens from getting initiatives on the ballot, particularly the one this year for reproductive rights.
All are welcome! Join the conversation.
Hosted by The Columbus Free Press.