Local
Recently the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the US Government both issued reports acknowledging what people all over the world already knew--urgent action is needed in order to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Despite these reports, agencies and legislative bodies that claim to serve the public interest continue to support destructive fossil fuel development and deforestation. Earlier this week in an online auction the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leased two parcels totaling 75.06 acres in Wayne National Forest, a second growth forest planted on land the US government obtained by means of treaties with Indigenous tribes that the US has violated. State legislators are now pushing anti-protest bill SB250, with the intent of preventing the people from standing in the way of fossil fuel development. Similar legislation in Louisiana was recently used to charge protesters with felonies for blocking construction of an un-permitted pipeline on private property where the protesters had the landowner's permission to be. SB250 passed the Senate last week and now goes on to the House.
Sunday, December 16, 3:30pm
Northside Library, 1423 N. High
Join Yes We Can Columbus for a planning and strategy session this Sunday from 3:30 - 5:00 pm at the Northside Library Branch (1423 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201) - Meeting Room 3.
We have been working to build a local government works for all of us and make sure residents can hold elected officials accountable.
In order to make that happen, we need to make sure we have reasonable local campaign contribution limits. The proposed legislation has a limit ($12,707.79) that basically ensures that a handful of multi-millionaires will continue to own / control our local democracy.
We've already shifted the conversation and helped delay the process. The Ginther Adminstration was hoping to pass it earlier this week on Monday.
At the City Council meeting on Monday, they announced that City Council will have another public hearing on this issue on Thursday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 PM.
Saturday, December 15, 2018, 7:00 – 10:00 PM
Join Columbus Socialist Alternative, Columbus DSA, OSU YDSA, and International Socialist Organization - Columbus (ISO) for our first ever socialist feminist movie night! We'll be watching the drama Norma Rae, which follows the struggle of a factory worker from a small town in North Carolina who becomes involved in the labor union activities at the textile factory where she works after the health of her and her co-workers is compromised. We'll watch the movie together, eat some popcorn, and have some brief discussion! Location: It Looks Like It’s Open, 13 E. Tulane Rd., Columbus 43202. Facebook.
Mandating Peace Officers to Report Child Abuse and Neglect Just a Pen Stroke from Becoming State Law
State Representative Bernadine Kennedy Kent’s House Bill 137 that passed through the House unanimously and the amended version passed through the Senate 78 to two, now heads to the desk of Governor John Kasich for his signature. Ohio’s children will now have an added layer of protection, and Ohio will now join the rest of the nation’s states in making peace officers mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect.
Friday, December 14, 2018, 6:00 – 11:00 PM.
Join the COWC Board, volunteers, and supporters for our second annual holiday happy hour at Hey Hey Bar & Grill, and let's celebrate the work we've accomplished and the relationships we've made in 2018. All are welcome. Location: Hey Hey Bar and Grill, 361 Whittier St., Columbus 43206. Facebook.
From the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence: Governor Kasich needs your support to veto HB 228 – the Stand Your Ground Gun Legislation: Although he is saying he doesn't like the bill as passed - (see the Cinci Enquirer) - we need to let him know that we are counting on him to veto it. He needs to veto it this week. At the end of a session there are many bills that will need his approval or veto.
Toledo, OH: At a meeting held on Monday, December 10, to certify the Lake Erie Bill of Rights (LEBOR) to the special election ballot in February, the Lucas County Board of Elections instead received a written protest which will be the subject of a contested hearing on December 20. A Columbus law firm filed the challenge on behalf of Josh Abernathy of 247 Plymouth Street, Toledo, to keep the LEBOR off the ballot. The Columbus firm, McTigue and Colombo LLC has represented corporate, labor and governmental clients in other cities, including Columbus and Bowling Green, in attempts to keep citizen initiatives off ballots.
The basis for the protest is that the Board of Elections and Ohio Supreme Court already decided this matter and the BOE cannot vote on it a second time. However both the BOE and the Ohio Supreme Court decided that another Toledo citizen initiative, “Keep the Jail Downtown”, could not go on the ballot, but Toledo City Council ordered that measure to be placed on the ballot for the February special election, and faced no ballot protest.
Wednesday, December 12, 11am
Genoa Park, 303 W. Broad St., downtown Columbus
Come fight for our rights in front of the statehouse with us!
Co-sponsored by
International Socialist Organization - Columbus
Democratic Socialists of America - Columbus
Socialist Alternative- Columbus
Tues, Dec 11, 6-8pm
The Hills Market Downtown, 95 N. Grant
Benefiting the Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice. This group blesses abortion clinics and elevates the moral power of religious communities to ensure reproductive freedom through education, advocacy, and counseling. Donate $5 at the door to get a complimentary drink ticket for wine, draft beer, cocktails (Pro-Choice Punch or a Morning After Margarita!), or non-alcoholic beverages. CASH & CARD are accepted at this event. As always, feel free to donate more:)