Local
On the 44th anniversary of Ohio’s death penalty law taking effect, twenty-seven members of the 114th General Assembly have now joined the chorus of leaders calling for abolition.
On Friday, the former lawmakers sent a letter to current lawmakers expressing support for efforts to repeal Ohio’s death penalty. The letter is directed to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where SB 133 was referred.
Hearings on the legislation have not yet begun.
The letter states, in part, “we understand this broken death penalty system’s grievous flaws, its unintended consequences, and its failure to achieve the benefits we had intended.”
The full letter can be found at this link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-I2lV_0WycmTdX_ik6Ldg6O8geWRS_t6/edit
Amid this epic battle against fascism and in the wake of Oct. 18, the largest protest in US history, I wanted to take a moment to remember and celebrate the life of a friend and comrade who died recently - Bruce Bostick.
My deepest condolences go out to Bruce's family. Others have written about him, and I'm sure his family, friends, and comrades will continue to share memories.
I got to know Bruce right out of college when I joined the CPUSA and was a community organizer in Cleveland, Ohio. Bruce, a Midwesterner through and through, was radicalized by his involvement in the anti-Vietnam War movement. In the early 1970s, he was already a young, experienced trade union activist at US Steel in Lorain, OH, and one of the leaders of the growing rank and file movement that was trying to transform the United Steelworkers of America into a fighting union. That movement played an important role in changing the USWA and the AFL-CIO.
Remember Phase 1 of Zone In when the Columbus Mayor and City Council screamed that THE SKY IS FALLING? They spent 2.7 MILLION DOLLARS of taxpayer money just on a marketing campaign to tell us that we had to pass the largest change to the zoning code in the history of the city, one that benefits real estate investors and developers. Remember the City ignoring the questions and concerns of the citizens about parking and not having any master plan? Yeah, that happened.
Remember those manufactured talking points that if we didn’t pass the Zone In proposal the city would also be DESTROYED BY GODZILLA? (Okay, that wasn’t a part of their message, but it would have at least been more entertaining).
Anyway, the entire process was TARGETED PROPAGANDA to create fear while flooding the media with the messages they wanted us to believe. It was a beautiful example of MANIPULATING PUBLIC OPINION and it worked perfectly...for real estate investors and developers.
For our City leadership, EVERYTHING IS AN EMERGENCY because there is no planning or strategy—other than finding new ways to spend money–our money.
Mondays, 10/20/2025 and 10/27/2025 @ 6pm
Northern Lights Shopping Center, 3569 Cleveland Ave, Columbus.
Join local Moms Demand Action members to galvanize the residents to help stop gun violence and share the resources that organizations have to help the community.
Register for each date individually.
The No Kings Downtown Columbus protest was slated for 4:00 pm during an OSU football game Saturday. No Kings is a nationwide protest which rejects Donald Trump’s authoritarianism. Around the country, seven million people attended No Kings Saturday 10-18-2025.
The importance of these No King’s protests is simple: We don’t want a fascist government. Trump is using secret police in an attempt to intimidate free speech. At No Kings, people protest in rejection of Trump’s opposition of constitutional promises we were taught in elementary school.
No Kings protests fill the streets in every major city with people who don’t like a campaign promise Trump kept: Trump’s vow to act like dictator.
Under Donald Trump ICE works as gestapo secret police force that kidnaps people and ships them into for profit prisons indefinitely. Trump fired people for working while black. Trump opposes free speech unless it’s a complete lie for white supremacy.
On October 7, the Center for Constitutional Rights endorsed an amended and expanded legal complaint filed by
Human Rights First’s Innovation Lab announced the launch of ReadyNow!, a free and secure mobile app designed to help immigrants prepare for possible detention and act quickly in moments of crisis. The app empowers users to create an emergency plan to notify pre-selected contacts; arrange emergency plans for childcare, medical needs, legal support, and more.
Sunday, October 19, 2025 - 2:30–5:30 pm
The Columbus home of a long time Simply Living Member (address provided to ticketholders)
Celebrate autumn with Simply Living at a warm, community-centered gathering filled with connection, good food, and inspiration for sustainable living.
Enjoy:
Lovingly prepared vegan fare (food ready at 3:00 pm)Non-alcoholic drinks served in a charming farm stand A menu of fun, hands-on activities to explore and connect (optional)A chance to wander and relax on this beautiful, unique, “in progress” eco-conscious property featuring: Ground-mounted solar PV and a geothermal HVAC systemA peaceful labyrinth for reflectionRainwater catchment and a recently drilled water wellBEAM composting systemsA “shared” garden with a modified 3D-fence systemShed for processing garden foodWalking paths, rain garden plans, and a fragrant herb spiralPlenty of sitting areas to unwind, connect, and share the afternoon with friendsAdditional details:
October 18
Various locations during the day culminating at 4pm at the Ohio Statehouse
Billionaires are converting the government into their private slush fund and just passed the largest wealth giveaway in the history of the US. The money they take from our families, they put in their overstuffed pockets.
Just like any bad boss, the way we stop the takeover is with collective action. We are working people rising up to stop the billionaire takeover–not just through the ballot box or the courts, but through building a bigger and stronger movement. We are fighting for a country that is more fair, just, equitable, and free for all of us — not just a chosen few.
Thousands of communities across the country are taking a stand to demand #NoKings and #NoBillionaires this October 18th. We will be in the streets, outside the offices of the corporate criminals who are behind the attacks on our freedoms, and at congressional offices. Together we will demand a country that puts workers over billionaires.
OUR DEMANDS TO BUILD THE SOCIETY WE ALL DESERVE:
Stop the billionaire takeover corrupting our government.
Friday, October 17, 2025, 7:30 PM
King Avenue Methodist Church, 299 W. King at Neil in Columbus 43201
Bill Cohen and friends will lead a candlelit, musical, year-by-year journey through the era, with live and familiar 1960’s folksongs, “news reports” of sixties happenings, displays of anti-war buttons and posters, and far-out sixties fashions. Plus, Bill will also challenge the audience with sixties trivia questions.
Special guest performers – LaJoyce Daniel-Cain, Joanne Blum, and Joe Lambert -- will be on hand to add beautiful vocal melodies, harmonies, and extra energy. And Ann Fisher will add elegant touches on her flute. Proceeds from the suggested $15 donations (at the door) will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the church basement but get there early for a good seat. The program is suitable for ADULTS and MATURE TEENS.
Free parking mis also available in the lots just South and West of the church.