Local
Wednesday, September 15, 7pm, this on-line event requires advance registration
What do you and your Central Ohio neighbors think and believe about our criminal justice system? Do we trust law enforcement? Can we believe in one another? How do we achieve positive change?
Explore these and other critical issues through a special forum on Wednesday, September 15, starting at 7pm, streaming virtually from partner WBNS at the Lincoln Theatre, as the Columbus Urban League and YWCA Columbus host a critical community conversation in conjunction with the National Urban League (NUL). Note: the event is now 100% virtual.
This event, the first of three to be held across the country, focuses on the first pillar in NUL’s 21 Pillars: A Comprehensive Framework for Redefining Public Safety. This cornerstone calls for community collaboration to build a restorative system and re-envision public safety in an equitable and just way — an issue highly relevant to Columbus right now.
As an active and now retired professor, I live in one of the city of Columbus’ older and more attractive neighborhoods. Called the University District, it abuts the Ohio State University (OSU) campus. Historically, that has been one of its assets but over the past few decades, it has become the major cause of its demise. The Columbus Police Department (CPD), the City of Columbus, the disparate group of large corporate landlords and management companies, and to a lesser extent the city’s media join in responsibility. This pattern of active and passive collusion is rarely admitted or even acknowledged (and if then misrepresented). It is a tragedy in terms of neighborhood decline; dangers to residents young and old; damage to persons, property, and life; and daily crimes and misdemeanors ranging from robbery, assault, and shootings; to property damage; illegal fireworks and gunshots; public drunkenness; noise, trash, and property desecration; and uncivil conduct. This must end now for the best interests of all parties including the students, most of whom are innocent victims.
Tuesday, September 14, 7pm; Parma Branch of Cuyahoga County Public Library, 6996 Powers Blvd., Parma, Ohio; this on-line event [if you plan to attend via Zoom] requires advance registration
Mainstream media narratives of Middle East conflicts are often false or incomplete. Even as the U.S. “withdraws” from the region, the extent and depth of its Middle East presence and influence is profound. Our presenter, Oliver Boyd-Barrett, will discuss how U.S. military and covert presence in the region (with particular reference to Syria and Iran) continues to seriously damage both the region and U.S. long-term interests.
Oliver Boyd-Barrett, Professor Emeritus at Bowling Green State University, is an expert on communications, media, and U.S. foreign policy, and how taxpayers, Congress, and other world leaders are manipulated into supporting war and occupation around the world. Boyd-Barrett has written or edited some 25 books and 150 scholarly articles.
Here is the link to his biography.
Today, September 13, 2021, World BEYOND War announces as the recipient of the Lifetime Organizational War Abolisher of 2021 award: Peace Boat.
An online presentation and acceptance event, with remarks from representatives of Peace Boat will take place on October 6, 2021, at 5 a.m. Pacific Time, 8 a.m. Eastern Time, 2 p.m. Central European Time, and 9 p.m. Japan Standard Time. The event is open to the public and will include presentations of three awards, a musical performance, and three breakout rooms in which participants can meet and talk with the award recipients. Participation is free. Register here for Zoom link.
World BEYOND War is a global nonviolent movement, founded in 2014, to end war and establish a just and sustainable peace. (See: https://worldbeyondwar.org ) In 2021 World BEYOND War is announcing its first-ever annual War Abolisher awards.
The Free Press Cyber-Salon was Saturday, Sept. 11.
Free PressBoard member Mark Stansbery started the salon with a reflection on 9/11, since the salon was taking place on the evening of September 11, 2021 – the 20-year anniversary of the event.
Dr. Marilyn Howard spoke next to promote the publication of the book A History of Hate in Ohio: Then and Now. She wrote the introduction to the book, co-authored by Free Press Editor Bob Fitrakis and Michael Brooks. The book is available here and if you use the promo code HISTORY, there’s a discount. Marilyn recently participated in a public talk about the book.
Sunday, September 12, 11am-10pm
51 S. Douglass St. [the former Douglass Alternative Elementary School]
Join us live in person or live on YouTube for Hot Times 2021. We will be live-streaming the main stage this year, and in between acts, expect to see interviews and archive footage!
Schedule
Sunday, September 12
11am: Tony West Drum Circle
12noon: Zumba w/ Aziza West
1pm: Poetry Slam
2:20pm: Jazz Poetry Ensemble
3:20-3:45pm: Community Moment
4:00pm: CYNTsation
5:00pm: Lungu Vybz Reggae
6:00pm: Donna Mogavero Band
7:00pm: Shaun Booker
If you can’t join us in person, watch our stream on YouTube.
Following our mission to connect people to learning opportunities that promote sustainability, environmental justice, and our local economy, Simply Living is relaunching Sustainable U.
This fall we will offer two discussion courses through EcoChallenge, formerly Northwest Earth Institute, a course through Local Futures, and three online courses from our members. Read on for more information about each of these learning opportunities!
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83906590837
Meeting ID: 839 06 Facebook Event Since we aren't getting together in person, we can gather for a couple hours on the second Saturday night of each month from 7-8:00pm Eastern Time on Zoom. "War, Propaganda and Resistance"
on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 Speakers:
Bowling Green Professor Oliver Boyd-Barrett on the situation in Afghanistan and the Middle East;
Sandy Bolzenius on 20 years a veteran;
Daoud Al Akras, on growing up Muslim during the past 20 years and sharing work OSU Students for Justice in Palestine hopes to accomplish this year;
As the 20th anniversary of 9/11 comes and goes this month, hopefully Americans start to recognize one thing that still persists past the ceremonial pageantry and patriotism we typically see on this day every year –– the continuation of invasive post-9/11 policies, both at home and abroad. Make no mistake, there should always be a time to reflect upon the tragic events of that fateful day and remember all the innocent lives that were lost, but we also must never forget that the domestic and foreign policies enacted after 9/11 ended up costing thousands of more innocent lives, both in our own country and others around the world. Frankly, with the consistent expansion of government surveillance and overreach that has persisted in the U.S. since 9/11, one would assume it must be hard to forget.
