Local

On Friday, February 28th, representatives from the Columbus Freedom Coalition, including Julius Tate Jr.’s parents and sibling, met with mayor Andrew Ginther at the MLK Branch Library to discuss the mayor’s complicity and role in Columbus Police Department’s (CPD) continued terrorism of Black communities. Ultimately the disingenuous nature displayed by city officials made the meeting a waste of time for the family, putting the coalition in a position where it was impossible to hold a conversation about what justice looks like. 

Friday, February 28, 4-6pm
Community Grounds, 1134 Parsons
Join BQIC for our monthly community outreach program, Free Resource Fridays!
Free Resource Friday is a monthly, donation-based initiative to provide free resources like food, clothes, and hygiene items to folks living in predominantly Black, low income neighborhoods. On the last Friday of the month, volunteers distribute items, share information, and provide support for local communities in need.
All are welcome, but QTPOC take priority within the space.

If you'd like to support Free Resource Fridays by donating materials, or if you'd like to get involved by offering a skill-share, mini-workshop or educational class, contact us! We are always looking to foster and strengthen our partnerships in the Central Ohio community.

Location and times for goods drop-off TBD

If you would like to volunteer your time by passing out event flyers in the community, send us a message and we will get you added to the volunteer list! Stay posted here for more updates about group flyering days prior to the event.

There is another bill aimed squarely at making things harder for transgender youth in Ohio.

Ohio Representatives Jena Powell and Reggie Stolzfus announced today that they will try to pass a law that would exclude transgender students from participating in sports that match their gender identity.

There is no bill number yet, and we won’t know who will sign on to co-sponsor for awhile.

Tuesday, February 25, 6:30-8:30pm
6:30 pm gather for light refreshments
7:00 pm program
Friends Theater, UA Public Library, 2800 Tremont Rd.
Upper Arlington Public Library
In 2015 and 2018, more than 70% of Ohioans amended Ohio’s Constitution to reform the rules used to create state and Congressional districts. Next year, after the Census, we will finally implement these rules to draw the districts which will be used for the next 10 years! Join UAPA for a presentation on how the new rules will work and what we need to do to ensure that districts are fairly drawn.
Presenters:
Professor Richard Gunther, who was involved in the negotiations that led to the Ohio reforms
Katy Shanahan, who is the Ohio Director of All on the Line, the redistricting activist group headed by former Attorney General, Eric Holder.
 

The last time the Freep wrote about Reynoldsburg’s Tierna Oxenreider, in 2017, the then 12-year-old was being hailed as one of the world’s best fencers in her age group. That summer she won the US Junior Championship for those under 12. The following year she placed 3rd at the US Junior Olympics for all age groups (under 20).

The fencing prodigy, who at the age of four insisted to her parents “I want to do a sword sport,” could see gold in her future. How can you doubt her Olympic dreams when an epiphany to pick up a weapon so to compete strikes you before kindergarten?

But no one said life was fair, and there’s never a clear and easy path to the top of the medal stand. Last year she injured her back while competing in Germany. Then the injury was aggravated when she was a passenger in a car rear-ended by a texting driver.

Monday, February 24, 2020, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
This award-winning documentary film spells out the social, spiritual, and ecological costs of today’s global economy. Importantly, the film also highlights the many benefits of a shift towards the local and showcases some of the steps people are already taking worldwide. Simply Living's book club selection, Local Is Our Future, further explains the shift to localization and copies will be available. Q&A discussion after the film will feature local initiatives and how to get involved.  Location:  Kafe Kerouac, 2250 N. High St., Columbus 43201.  Facebook

Sunday, February 23, 5:30-9pm
The Boat House Restaurant at Confluence Park, 679 W Spring St
FIVE YEAR CELEBRATIONS OF AMAZING SERVICES & ADVOCACY

A BENEFIT BANQUET TO PROTECT & EMPOWER COLUMBUS YOUTH & FAMILIES

AN AWARD CEREMONY TO CELEBRATE CENTRAL OHIO'S SOCIAL JUSTICE LEADERS & ACTIVISTS

Please Join Us for an Inspirational Evening with Elected Officials, Interfaith and Community Leaders and our Youth Leaders as we gather to Support and Celebrate Columbus Youth and Families.

In the last five years, MY Project USA has become a mainstream Muslim Social Services & Civic Engagement Organization. We are working hand in hand with our interfaith and social justice partners to bring prosperity and hope to the under-served communities in Columbus. At our annual banquet, we will celebrate our accomplishments. We will also re-energize our base and will raise money to continue and grow our work to the next level. Please join us and bring your family and friends with you.

The proceeds of this dinner:

* will be used to protect and empower Columbus needy and undeserved families.

Fifty-five years ago on February 21, civil rights activist Malcolm X was shot on stage at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Three men were quickly arrested for the murder. Two of those men — including our client, Muhammad Abdul Aziz (then known as Norman 3X Butler) — have always maintained their innocence.

"Who Killed Malcom X?", a new six-part documentary on Netflix, seeks to answer the question: Did two innocent men spend decades in prison for crimes they did not commit?

Saturday, February 22, 7-10pm
Church for All People, 946 Parsons Ave.
We're celebrating Black History Month with a reading of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye," adapted by Lydia R. Diamond!

Thursday, February 20, 2020, 7:00 PM
Emily Dunlap will provide an in-depth discussion on human trafficking and how we can get involved.  Emily an attorney with Advocating Opportunity and she works with trafficking victims.  Michael Smalz will present an update on legislation at the State House affecting immigrants.  The Immigration Justice Committee is responsible for advancing the immigrant rights mission of the organization by proposing projects, policy statements, and inter-organizational relationships to the board for approval, and for providing ongoing up-to-date information about opportunities for COWC. We will be discussing the Wage Theft Clinic and Immigrant Stories Project.  Location:  Maynard Avenue United Methodist Church, 2350 Indianola Ave.  Facebook.