Local
Although the attack on reproductive rights has vamped up in previous months, the last week has been especially exhausting, with some of the most restrictive abortion bans being considered and passed since Roe V. Wade, the landmark United States Supreme Court decision which guaranteed access to abortion as a constitutional right.
Here is a list of recent legislation passed or being considered around various parts of the country:
While the politicians dither over universal health care versus single payer versus the current Republican prescription for all non-millionaires (Get Sick & Die Quick), medical debt is still the number one cause of American family bankruptcies.
Throughout the US, people are forced every day to choose between medical care and food, shelter, and supporting their children.
At this point there’s no indication there’ll be an easy victory to bring the US in sync with the rest of the civilized world in providing decent health coverage.
But one back-door guerrilla campaign is being waged to lessen some of the pain. A group called RIP Medical Debt has thus far helped retire around $434,000,000 owed by about a quarter-million Americans. With some $750,000,000,000 in nationwide indebtedness to medical providers and their secondary bill collectors, it might seem like a drop in the bucket. But for those who are helped, it can mean a new life.
Saturday, May 18, 12:30-4:30PM
Northwood-High Building, 2231 N. High St.
The social and environmental justice issues confronting Ohio communities today share a common source: a system of law and government that blocks our right to local community self-governance. Through this workshop we will examine how to use organizing tools such as forming a community action group, writing and running a ballot initiative, and more to create the just communities we envision.
Thursday, May 16, 6:30-7:30pm, Parsons Branch Library, 1113 Parsons Ave.
Join us for our monthly membership meeting!
Come hang and talk about how we can work together to build a Columbus that works for the many, not for the few.
Whether you’re a long-time volunteer or just want to know more about Yes We Can, all are welcome at our membership meetings.
As always, there will be free pizza. See you there!
Hosted by Yes We Can: Columbus Working Families.
May 14, 2019, from 7 p.m.
CWA Local 4502, 620 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215
From 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on May 9th, about 50 activists and community members gathered outside of Franklin County Government Center to stand in solidarity with Masonique Saunders, the teenager whose boyfriend, Julius Tate Jr., was murdered by Columbus Police Department. In the meantime inside the courthouse, Saunders accepted a plea deal to avoid being charged with felony murder as an adult.
Justice Harley, a core organizer in Coalition to Free Masonique has been a member of the organization since January. They briefed the protestors after coming back from the court that Saunders pled guilty to involuntary manslaughter and a couple aggravated robbery charges. She pled guilty to a crime she did not commit. She could be incarcerated for 3 years. The sentencing will occur at a late date.
“She thought she had to admit to something she didn’t do. She was put in this position by a system that doesn’t value black lives. That is actively hostile towards them in fact,” said Harley. “She is 17. She will be in prison until she is 20. Think about the mental and emotional toll this will take on her.”
Saturday, May 11- 6:30-11pm
1021 E. Broad St., Columbus
Parking in side driveway, on street or rear parking lot
Come to network and socialize with progressive friends with refreshments, music by Happy Chichester with a tribute to Free Press cartoonist and artist James Beoddy.
Free, no RSVP required.
614-253-2571, colsfreepress@gmail.com
columbusfreepress.org
COLUMBUS, OH: Today, the Ohio House of Representatives adopted its 2020-2021 budget with provisions that prohibit anyone, including local governments, from enforcing recognized legal rights for ecosystems.
The political maneuver is a direct response to the historic Lake Erie Bill of Rights passed by Toledo voters in February. That law recognizes legally enforceable rights for Erie, the 11th largest lake on the planet. It made national and international news.
At a time when the United Nations is reporting “unprecedented” rates of species extinction, such political strong arming to repress efforts to address the global crisis is in keeping with the state’s actions since 2014.