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Monday, June 29, 2020, 3:00 - 4:00 PM. Black Matters 101: Dismantling Structural Inequalities. The Black Matters 101: This Side of the Pandemics series of virtual webinars addresses the current state of national affairs as they pertain to Black people. The health pandemic created by COVID-19 has brought racism to the forefront as a public health crisis that has been and continues to be an age-old detriment to African Americans. The health disparities crisis is compounded by the persistence of police killings and civilian vigilantism that traumatize black communities. This webinar series brings together educators, students, community activists, civic leaders, and the general public to discuss topics emanating from the volatile moment of the pandemics, and, importantly, to develop action-oriented strategies for social justice.
Sunday, June 28, 3:16pm
https://www.comfest.com/virtual/virtual-workshops/
Free Press Editors Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman discuss life living with a pandemic, anti-racist protests, and potential election tampering this fall.
Saturday, June 27, 4pm
Columbus City Hall, 90 W. Broad St.
Join us for the formal launch of the #RecallGinther campaign beside the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus City Hall. We will have Recall petitions, speakers, and plenty of ways to get involved. You do not want to miss this special event!
Our dear friend Miriam Vargas has now been in sanctuary at First English Lutheran Church for two years (or 731 days). How many days do you estimate that you’ve been in quarantine or practicing robust social distancing – mostly from home? These past few months we have all been deepening our understanding and empathy for Miriam’s painful situation through our newly lived experiences. We now have an easy way for you to act on that deeper empathy through an app called Tithely. Some of you are already familiar with this easy support mechanism through your own congregation.
The following story has three sources, a local attorney acting as a protest legal observer and two current Columbus police officers. All insisted on remaining anonymous.
After all that has happened, one would think our Columbus police would have thought twice before arresting more peaceful protesters who are simply exercising their rights.
But on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, June 23-24, 2020, video and eye-witness evidence show certain units of Columbus police once again utilized the “jump out” strategy to target protesters and perhaps deliberately target protester leadership.
For instance, on Tuesday night in front of City Hall several marked police cruisers suddenly raced on the scene to confront peaceful protesters. Unprovoked officers emerged from their cruisers to arrest without warning at least nine protesters in just a few minutes. The protesters were simply holding up signs, chanting and not blocking traffic.
The House just passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act (236-181). This legislation is historic and comprehensive in scope. Most importantly, this bill is responsive to the demands being pressed by demonstrators who are calling for policing reform and an end to police brutality. Dozens of member of Congress gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to make clear that this bill is needed to move our nation forward.
Here are the key components of the bill
Friday, Saturday & Sunday June 26-28th, 2020
Hosted at https://www.comfest.com/virtual-comfest-2020/ and on our Facebook page
Facebook event
Comfest Facebok page
Featuring performers, workshops, Street Fair vendors, Community Organizations, and a Program Guide for 2020.
Thursday, June 25, 7:30pm
Online Event
Facebook Event
Watch the movie Just Mercy on your own (streaming free for the month of June on Amazon Prime), then
Join a community conversation with Marcia Miller of Yoga on High and Abraham Bonowitz, co-director of the national group, Death Penalty Action. Abe is a Columbus resident who will share his experience of this work and update us on issues within our own state of Ohio.
Thursday, June 25, 7:30 to 8:45p.
Joe Motil, former Columbus City Council candidate and longtime outspoken critic of the Columbus Police Department states, “Sunday’s use of tear gas and pepper spray on peaceful protesters in downtown Columbus should not have surprised anyone. Even with the mayor’s new directive on prohibiting the use of tear gas by Columbus Police on peaceful protesters just five days ago, Columbus cops continue to ignore any such orders.”
“And why on earth were members of the CPD dressed in riot gear? Putting on riot gear also puts officers in the mindset of preparing themselves to perform combat. The sight of this riot gear only escalated matters. It would appear that Chief Quinlan has lost control of his department,” he said.
Motil states that, an AP wire story in the June 22 Columbus Dispatch titled, “Injuries at protests draw review of weapons” claims that, “Rubber bullets and similar projectiles have damaged eyes or blinded at least 20 individuals from ages 16 to 59, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, since protests began over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.”