Local
The lame duck Ohio legislature accomplished little because the majority Republicans were only interested in one thing – solidifying their hold on state government.
Action further restricting abortion flamed out.
Action handing over control of public education to the governor flopped.
Action raising the percentage needed to pass a constitutional amendment to 60 percent fizzled.
The right-wingers desiring the above three issue outcomes were left at the altar. Measures passed one house only to die in the other. Republican legislative leaders could tell the constituents to whom they promised action, “Sorry, we tried. Maybe next year.”
So what big controversial measure got passed?
A bill that further suppresses voting – by Democrats -- made it through pending Governor Mike DeWine’s signature because the Republican brain trust wanted to make it even harder for Democrats to win election to the state legislature, to Congress and to statewide office.
Saturday, December 31, 4-8pm, Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave.
Kwanzaa 614 is a seven-day celebration that honors community, family, and heritage of African American culture and African traditions. Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word meaning “first harvest” and is based on the seven principles of Nguzo Saba. We, along with Tawi Family Village, invite you to enjoy two festive evenings of Kwanzaa, featuring African drumming, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on art activities. This event is free.
This event is being co-hosted by several cultural institutions throughout Columbus.
Schedule:
• Saturday, December 31, 4-8pm: Today’s event will be at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave. Kuumba (creativity) is the principle.
• Sunday, January 1: Families get together at home. Imani (faith) is the principle.
More information about this event may be found at linktr.ee/kwanzaa614.
This event is sponsored by Huntington Bank.
Annual general operating support is provided by the Greater Columbus Arts Council.
The Ohio History Connection (OHC) is being called out from across the planet after it banned internationally best-selling author and journalist Graham Hancock from filming his docuseries Ancient Apocalypse at Serpent Mound in Peebles, Ohio.
Denying Hancock from one of the world’s most mysterious prehistoric effigy mounds occurred in the spring of 2021, but recently came to light after Hancock – author of the bestselling 2019 book “America Before: The Key to Earth’s Lost Civilization” – posted OHC’s email telling him and his film crew they did not have permission to access the high plateau where the 1,348-foot Serpent rests.
As 2023 arrives and the two-year anniversary of the infamous January 6th insurrection approaches, there is plenty to be grateful for as our imperfect nation ventures into the new year. Of course, there is also still much work to be done and more good fights to be fought. Here in Ohio, fascism continues to stand on our doorstep –– and is perhaps even knocking on the door –– especially as a new GOP supermajority is set to be seated in our Statehouse in January and Governor Mike DeWine starts his second term, both of which were decided by a majority of Ohio voters. Because of these recent midterm results, Ohio Republicans have been given a mandate –– and they will likely use it to their own advantage, just as they have since seizing power of every branch of our state government in 2010.
January is the perfect time to make improvements; the perfect time to improve your health, the planet, and the lives of animals. My resolution this upcoming year is to follow a plant-based diet, which is so easy to do with the many vegan restaurants and options in central Ohio!
A plant-based diets has many health benefits, including reducing the risk for diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and many cancers, and helps to maintain a healthy weight (www.heart.org, www.mdanderson.org)
Wednesday, December 28, 8pm, this on-line event requires advance registration
Join us at 8pm on Wednesday, December 28 for a discussion about executions of protesters and others in Iran. We’ll be joined by Mohammad Shokouh-Amiri, Sara Bana, Hooman Hedayati, and others to discuss the situation in Iran and how it is relevant to each of us no matter where we live.
All of our guests are Iranian-born human rights activists who will bridge the experiences they had in Iran with the lives and work that they have created here in the U.S. Click here to register.
RSVP for this event by using this link.
We apologize to those whom this time does not work. Those who register will receive a link to watch the program at their convenience.
Hosted by Death Penalty Action and Abraham J. Bonowitz.
I am a straight, white woman who lives in the suburbs. I grew up in Columbus, taught in Columbus schools. But, now, I live in the suburbs. I have no friends here. At one time, I had many. We supported each other, babysat each other’s kids. We planned activities. We shared a common routine in life. We were mothers, who needed a connection to another woman that shared our sorrows and successes in this vulnerable time. I was kicked out of the “neighborhood group” when someone (who happened to be a pastor) asked if it was okay to fly his Blue Lives Matter flag. I said no. Part of my explanation referred to minors who had recently been held by CPD in their van, with no water, no parents for hours because they witnessed a crime (June 22, 2021). I asked these suburban mothers how they would feel if it was their child, desperately trying to get them to relate, have empathy for the mothers who were demanding their children be given back. My friends did not defend me. One said “at least they were released.” For fear of retaliation from my new friends, she said that she wouldn't comment further.
On a warm night in October, a small parade of all colors and ages worked their way down a Sullivant Avenue sidewalk on the west side of Columbus in the setting sunlight. At the lead was a young girl, holding up a cardboard placard with the smiling picture of James Johnson III. In 2020, the 29-year-old was ambushed by gunfire as he walked out of a nearby gas station. His murder remains unsolved and his mother is unwavering for answers.
Who will never be seen in such a sad procession is Ohio Attorney General David Yost or the rural county judge he found to put a December 5 temporary restraining order on three new gun laws passed by Columbus City Council. This judge, Fairfield County Common Pleas Judge Richard Berens, represents just a fragment of southeast Columbus, which includes a small stretch of Refugee Road and Blacklick Woods Metro Park.
“The city has knowingly and deliberately overstepped its legislative authority,” stated Yost following Judge Berens’ temporary restraining order.
Tuesday, December 27, 8pm, this event will be occurring via “Facebook Live”
Join us at 8pm on Tuesday, December 27 for case updates and tips for dealing with the holidays from people who are living in that situation, including John and Michelle Lucio, Julis Jones’ family, Rodrick Reed, Charles Keith, Delia Perez-Meyer, Keith Lamar (live from Ohio’s death row), and others.
This event will be occurring via “Facebook Live.”
Hosted by Reed Justice Initiative, Death Penalty Action, and Abraham J. Bonowitz.
Monday, December 26 and Saturday, December 31, 4-8pm, Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave.
Kwanzaa 614 is a seven-day celebration that honors community, family, and heritage of African American culture and African traditions. Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word meaning “first harvest” and is based on the seven principles of Nguzo Saba. We, along with Tawi Family Village, invite you to enjoy two festive evenings of Kwanzaa, featuring African drumming, live music, dance, storytelling, and hands-on art activities. This event is free.
This event is being co-hosted by several cultural institutions throughout Columbus.
Schedule:
• Monday, December 26, 4-8pm: The first day of Kwanzaa will be at the Ohio History Center, 800 E. 17th Ave., in partnership with Tawi Family Village. Umoja (unity) is the principle.
• Tuesday, December 27, 2-4pm: Urban Strings will host a tea at the Martin Luther King Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, 1467 E. Long St. Urban Strings is led by Catherine Willis. Kujichagulia (self-determination) is the principle.