Local
As part of a new national campaign to deliver better treatment and pay to all “essential workers” the Columbus City Council unanimously passed a resolution supporting an Essential Workers Bill of Rights last Monday.
Essential Worker resolutions have also passed in Lakewood, Toledo, and Dayton, and are under consideration in Fremont and other cities across Ohio. The Columbus resolution can be read here (search “To Support an Essential Workers Bill of Rights”).
The city of Columbus is asking for the public’s help with an independent investigation into the actions of some Columbus Police officers during the Summer 2020 protests and riots.
On June 1st, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther established an email hotline outside of CPD’s chain of command for the public to send complaints, video, and photographs related to officer actions during the protests and riots.
An independent committee established by the city reviewed complaints received, and separated the complaints to be investigated either criminally or administratively. To ensure each complaint received an independent review, the city hired a retired FBI agent to investigate any complaints deemed potentially criminal by the committee.
In order for a full and independent investigation to be done, the city needs help identifying all parties involved in the encounters, whether it be a member of the public or an officer participating in the actions seen in the photos/videos.
Monday, November 9, 2020, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Join the Freedom of Choice Ohio Coalition to talk next steps post-election. We'll hold space as a community to process election results, clarify expected legal and legislative impacts, and make our plans to protect Ohioans' reproductive rights during Lame Duck. Community building has never been more important, so meeting attendees will receive electronic gift cards. Dinner is on us! Register here.
Sunday, November 8, 8pm
Streaming on Twitch twitch.tv/matternews_ (recommended/encouraged), Facebook, YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClVpHbydnEU1mpFUZCa9-AA , and Instagram instagram.com/matternews_ (least reliable).
Tune-in to our lineup of storytellers, poets, and musicians sharing experiences of and viewpoints on inequity in Columbus, Ohio.
Saturday, November 7, 12 noon
Ohio Statehouse
https://www.facebook.com/events/731533317408587
Hosted by Occupy Columbus, Our Revolution - Central Ohio and 10 others
Our nation is living through a simultaneous public health and economic crisis, while also having seen an unprecedented assault on our democratic institutions through a corrupt presidential administration and political leaders who have enabled voter suppression. Our current elected officials have shown an unwillingness to meet the needs of everyday working Americans across the country and right here in our own backyard.
Friday, November 6, 8-11pm
District West, 145 N. 5th St.
Tickets · $12.50
Facebook Event
We appreciate any and all help, if you can not make it to the event on Friday follow this link to Donate to the cause: https://givebutter.com/columbustranspride
Let's talk about Election Day two years hence. It is the next chance Democrats have to win statewide non-judicial offices and regain influence in Ohio.
This year Democrats John O'Donnell and Jennifer Brunner have a fighting chance to knock off two Republicans and claim seats on the Ohio Supreme Court. That would give Democrats a 4-3 majority. That could result in fairer boundaries in state legislative and Congressional districts in 2022 if the newly carved districts, following the census, end up before the court. Ultimately, a court led by Democratic justices might order a new, rational, responsible, more generous funding system for Ohio's public schools, too.
If Ohio Democrats can pick up 12 seats in the Ohio House of Representatives on Nov. 3, they gain control. There is no chance that Democrats can gain a majority in the Ohio Senate, but could add 2-3 seats.
In 1903 while speaking of the fame and popularity of his nemesis, Mr. Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. Dubois, the premiere Black intellectual of his day said, “Easily the most striking thing in the history of the American Negro since 1876 is the ascendancy of Mr. Booker T. Washington.” Change a few words, and the same thing might be said of the unexpectedly close and warm friendship of former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Activists hope Election Day in Columbus brought more accountability and transparency for the Columbus Division of Police. Columbus city leaders and the county’s newly elected county prosecutor Gary Tyack talk the talk, but will they follow through on promises of investigating and challenging the police when called for?
Issue 2, establishing a Civilian Review Board (CRB) with oversight over the Columbus police, won in a landslide. The bar for greater police accountability was raised even higher after long-time Republican County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien was defeated by Tyack, a Democrat and the former 10th District Court of Appeals (Franklin County) Court Judge.
O’Brien’s support for police and the cold, statue-like approach he exudes towards any victims of police is reflected in his record and highly criticized by local activists. During his 20-plus year tenure, only one case of police misconduct – resulted in criminal indictments. This case came from within the VICE unit, as one officer repeatedly abused sex workers, eventually killing one. Yet from 2013 to 2019, Columbus police killed 40 people, 27 of them Black.
Thursday, November 19, 7-8pm, this event will be occurring via Zoom
Why and to whom are tax incentives given and who is benefiting from them? This month’s Move to Amend Central Ohio virtual presentation will explore the quid pro quo of campaign contributions from developers, the Columbus Partnership, and other corporations in Columbus that in return receive tax abatements and city income tax exemptions. This presentation will also consider the adverse impacts of such agreements on affordable housing, educational opportunities, and efforts to fight poverty. Our guest presenter will be Joe Motil, a longtime Columbus resident and activist who is a leading expert on tax abatements in Columbus.
Join the Zoom meeting by clicking this link.
Contact: Sandy Bolzenius, columbus@movetoamend.org or 614-843-6170
Hosted by Move to Amend Central Ohio.