Local

Tuesday, December 17, 2019, 9:00 – 10:00 AM.  Response to ICE:  Solidarity with Edith Espinal.  Join in support with Edith Espinal this Tuesday, December 17th at 9 am at Columbus Mennonite Church as we send a unified message of solidarity in response to the fines and criminalization Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is leveraging against her. Edith has been ordered to report to ICE for deportation this Tuesday, December 17th. Rather than comply, Edith will be sending several clergy in her place, and we will gather with her at Columbus Mennonite Church at 9am to send a strong message of solidarity with Edith and her family, including public statements opposing these fines, charges, and tactics of family separation.

Saturday, December 14, 2019, 6:30 – 11:00 PM
1021 E. Broad St., Columbus. 
Network and socialize with progressive friends with refreshments, music and special guest Jen Mendoza, activist working on campaign to stop Charmin from cutting down forests for toilet paper. Parking in side driveway, on street or rear parking lot. Free, no RSVP required. For more information, 614-353-2571 or colsfreepress@gmail.com. 

Friday, December 13, 2019, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Please join Miriam Vargas and her family as they celebrate the Holidays.  Please bring either an appetizer or a dessert to share.  Drinks provided. Raffle, tree trimming, music, and other entertainment.  If you’d like to participate in the raffle, please bring cash for raffle tickets.  Location:  First English Lutheran Church, 1015 E. Main Street, Columbus 43201.  Facebook

Over 60 family, friends, and community members gathered December 7th at a corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Champion Avenue in a vigil to remember and grieve for Julius Tate, Jr., killed by Eric Richards of the Columbus Police Department.  The street corner is near the spot where 16-year-old Julius Tate, suspected of robbery, was killed in a sting operation exactly one year before.

Members of his family spoke; Julius' sister read a poem she wrote for him, and Julius' brother gave a musical offering.  His mother said that she wants justice for Julius, her firstborn son, that she wants the truth of what happened December 7th, 2018.  Both his mother and his grandmother demanded justice for Julius, but as well for all black kids, and for all kids.  A sister insisted that Julius did not own a gun, that the CPD claim is impossible that Julius pointed a gun at one of the plain clothes officers.

Thursday, December 12, 2019, 7:00 PM
We will be discussing resolutions of support, Op Ed in the Columbus Dispatch, SPAN quarterly meeting report, membership and more to advance improved and expanded Medicare for All.   Central Ohio Meeting.  Location:  Unitarian Universalist Church, room 301, 93 West Weisheimer Rd, Columbus, 43214.  There is plenty of parking, and it is a short walk from the COTA stop on North High Street.  For more information, contact Bob Krasen, SPAN Ohio Regional Coordinator brkrasen@gmail.com. 

Wednesday, December 11, 2019, 11:00 AM.  Public Utilities Committee Meeting
7th Hearing and possible vote on S.B. 33.  Modify criminal and civil law for critical infrastructure damage 7th Hearing Poss. Vote Cc: House Clerk Committee Members Committee Clerk Speaker's Office Assistant Majority Floor Leader's Office Caucus Staff Bill Sponsor Legislative Information Systems LSC Press Room Minority Leader's Office.  Associated Files:   SB 33 witness slip[11487].pdf.  Location:  Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Square, Columbus. Room 116. 

It’s not the New York Times this time. Although it is another pile of Pentagon papers. Now it’s the Washington Post in an eerie déjà vu moment telling us we were lied to about a war by three presidential administrations: George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Last time it was four – Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon.

After more than 18 years the Taliban’s in control – or contesting U.S. forces for control – of Afghanistan.  The longest running war in U.S. history has cost $1.5 trillion, but that’s only a part of the price tag. Just like President Johnson refused to raise taxes for the Vietnam War, the U.S. will pay $600 billion in interest on borrowed war dollars by 2023.

But the longest long-term cost of the war is the $1.4 trillion that will be spent on Afghanistan war vets by the year 2025.

Of course, the U.S. military budget doesn’t include veteran’s benefits as a category. Rather veteran’s support is shifted to Health and Human Services to minimize the actual cost of the U.S. war machine.  

Tuesday, December 10, 2019, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Tis the season to gather with friends and celebrate reproductive freedom!  Join us for a holiday happy hour to learn more about our work and to enjoy some holiday spirits. We’re also thrilled to be joining forces with Women Have Options - Ohio to launch our joint Abortion Care Package program at this event!  Come make care packages and learn how you can bring this program to your own community or congregation in the New Year. Donate $5 at the door to get a complimentary drink ticket. Cash only please. All proceeds will benefit the Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.  Location:  Growl, 2995 N. High St., Columbus.  Facebook. 

Monday, December 9, 2019, 7:30 PM

It was a night of comradery and celebration at Ace of Cups on November 4 when the Free Press held our 2019 annual awards ceremony. DJ laChewla started the evening off with a variety of music genres and a little rock-n-roll as people gathered and waited for the Yellow Brick pizzas to arrive for dinner. Former award winners, other Free Press friends, writers, and readers socialized and enjoyed the food, drink and music. Brian Clash, a former Free Press award winner, played a set including his inspirational protest songs.