Local

Klu Klux Klan (KKK) affiliated group Honorable Sacred Knights (HSK) will be occupying Dayton’s Courthouse Square with messages of hate and intolerance Saturday 25 May.

Here is a quick guide for those who will be going into Dayton to counter their messages of hate. For some background see previous Columbus Free Press reporting.

The city of Dayton is hosting a useful event page, which includes links to an events page, and road closure page, even though the Dayton Mayor has advised the public to stay at home. Thousands of people are expected to show up to make a stand against a return to public lynchings and slavery.

Thursday, May 23, 4-6:30pm
Upper Arlington Public Library, 1945 Lane. Rd.
Meet in room A (at the end of the front hallway to the right of entrance). Acrylic paint & brushes, markers, and cardboard will be provided (until gone). Feel free to bring your own materials.
We are the Columbus, Ohio chapter of the US Climate Strike. There are several strikes occurring on March 24th across the state. In Columbus it is at the Ohio Statehouse from 12-2:30pm. See Fridays For Future website to find yours: https://www.fridaysforfuture.org/events/map

Wednesday, May 22, 8am
Ohio Statehouse, Broad and High Streets, Columbus
We just learned that HB6 proponents have organized a rally at 8am tomorrow at the Ohio Statehouse before the 9am hearing on the bill. The union workers at Ohio’s two nuke plants are taking the lead in organizing a pro-HB6 rally. This bill would add charges to every Ohioan’s electric bill to give First Energy an unlimited bailout for its leaking, crumbling nuclear power plants. It’s a bad deal for Ohio and a disaster for the environment. We have to step up for Ohio and hold a counter rally!!!On such short notice we may not be able to get a big turnout, but it's important we show that there's opposition. If you're coming for the hearing and are able to arrive early, please meet us at of the corner 3rd and State at 8am and bring a sign if you can! Please spread the word to people you know who may be able to join us! 

Tuesday, May 21, 2019, Noon.
This Tuesday, May 21st at noon local time at statehouses, town squares, and courthouses across the nation, we will show up to speak out and fight back against this unconstitutional attempt to gut Roe and punish women. Together we say: Stop the bans. Hosted by Stop The Bans.  Location:  77 S. High St., Columbus 43215.  RSVP here. 

Monday, May 20, 2019, 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Learn, eat, connect with community!  Hear short updates on key local social justice issues while building community with Showing Up for Racial Justice.  Donations of food to share welcome but not required.  Location:  Northwood-High Building, 2231 North High Street, Columbus, OH 43201, Room 100.  More information on Facebook.  

Sunday, May 19, 5-7pm
379 Chittenden Ave.
We have a ton of requests to catch up on!!!!! Please come and help us send books to people in prisons!! Redbird Books to Prisoners

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.