Local
A gigantic mountain of dirt and rocks on the South Side looms over the 270 outer belt and it’s becoming more gigantic by the day.
Directly across from this mountain is a monster-sized data center that came online in 2025.
And like McCoy Park – a local park ditched to become a professional sports complex – all three are symbols of how Columbus City Hall historically treats most of the South Side of Columbus – like dirt.
“The people of the South Side and Far South Side are frustrated,” says South Side activist Bruce Miller, who City Hall took revenge on for simply advocating for longtime residents. “They have no one in media listening. City Hall calls them literally a bunch of dumb pig farmers who don’t deserve good things. And their legitimate concerns are dismissed. And they wonder why the community in the last several elections has voted red.”
McCoy Park, after years of taxpayer funded investment and planning, was set to be transformed into a modern-day egalitarian marvel. The park, located in the proximity of where the South Side begins, was going to be “adaptive” or designed for those with disabilities.
Thursday, April 30, 4-7pm
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams (Short North), 714 N High St., Columbus, OH 43215
Ice cream & abortion access in one fell *scoop*? It's almost too good to be true
Bring the family & join us at the Short North Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams where it's always sweet treat o'clock! On April 30th from 4 to 7, 25% of all sales will benefit folks seeking abortion in Ohio.
We are standing at a crossroads where the very foundation of our representative democracy is being dismantled in broad daylight. As we look toward the 2026 midterms, a coordinated effort is underway to ensure that certain voices—particularly those in Black and Brown communities—are never heard at the ballot box. We must ask ourselves the hard question: are Republicans trying to silence voters in 2026 and beyond? The evidence suggests a resounding yes.
This morning, April 29, 2026, the Supreme Court issued a devastating blow to the remains of the Voting Rights Act in Callais v. Louisiana. By striking down a map that provided fair representation to Black voters, the Court has created a legal trap. They have ruled that acknowledging race to fix proven racial discrimination is itself unconstitutional. This decision effectively renders Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act a "dead letter," giving a green light to partisan operatives to rig maps nationwide.
Columbus City Council approved 25 million dollars (your tax dollars) and McCoy Park (your property) to the Haslam Sports Group and survey teams have already begun work.
- Amazing how quickly the survey began right?
- Almost as if they were already prepared and available.
In fact, the McCoy Park sign was removed a few weeks ago.
Officially the sign was hit by a car although there doesn’t appear to be a police report available. After Haslam announced that McCoy Park would be the new practice facility for his women’s soccer team the sign disappeared.
Welcome to the corporate ownership of Columbus City Hall.
The Mayor and City Council might attend every photo opportunity, but they spend ten times that amount of time courting the rich and powerful to fund their political ambitions.
The Haslam Sports Group wanted McCoy Park and no other location was ever up for debate. They played the mayor and City Council like a Stradivarius violin to get what they wanted. Money is what the politicians of City Hall listen to; not people.
Students use chalk to voice their thoughts on important issues and encourage others to speak out.
Watch video here.
One participant explained the mission: "We did this because no one wants to be the first to speak out, but the supporters of ICE are in the minority. People are scared right now, and there is a lot of reason to be, but staying quiet keeps no one safe. Fascism requires constant conflict to survive. It doesn’t matter how quiet you are, they will find a reason to come after you. Fascists take what they think is the path of least resistance. They brutalize the population because they think they will get away with it. When we stay silent, we are allowing them to continue to delude themselves.
Wednesday, April 29 - 7pm
Zoom - register here
Your community mobilizing - neighbors protecting neighbors - has worked to drive back ICE enforcement, and now our organizing networks must take on the other powerful parts of the mass deportation machine. This training will help you and your community defense network assess what’s happening in your community, build a plan with your neighbors, and act to free your community from detention camps, 287(g) agreements, ICE at polls, and ICE surveillance.
The neighbor-to-neighbor organizing you’ve been part of has forced a change (yay!) But the mass deportation machine is a $100 billion plus effort that won’t stop unless we have a plan to confront it at every turn.
One hundred percent of the focus of Columbus City Hall has been on bringing another women’s soccer team to Columbus (we already have the Columbus Eagles Women’s Soccer Team). Unfortunately, the homeless continue to die on the streets since they were not told that getting another soccer team was more important than their lives.
March, 2026 had 8 homeless deaths.
Feb, 2026 had 13 homeless deaths.
Jan, 2026 had 14 homeless deaths.
In March 2026 the eight homeless deaths were attributed to two suicides, two homicides, three accidents, and one listed as natural (complications of schizophrenia). The oldest death was 63 while the youngest was 35. Three people were white, four people were African-American/Black and one was listed as “other.” Four of them were men and four were women.
Actually, Haslam hasn’t given a name to his new soccer team, but he has destroyed any remaining trust in City Council.
He used expert marketing (plus tens of thousands of dollars in campaign donations and the influence of former Mayor Coleman) to kill the opinions of Columbus citizens and their City Commissioners.
You wanted an emotional decision?
We must support women’s sports (even though we already have a women’s soccer team)! Let’s parade little girls in front of City Council to beg for millions of your tax dollars and the destruction of a public park.
You wanted time to debate?
Just like the “Fear of Missing Out” painted by ZoneIn this decision followed the normal game plan of speed before understanding. Less time to absorb the financial liabilities and long-term consequences. As my neighbor described it to me: “Speed means Greed.”
Lucky for this billionaire the internet has not disappointed in coming up with potential names. We can only hope that he chooses one that will accurately reflect the destruction of McCoy Park for future generations.
We are witnessing a moment that will define the legal and constitutional landscape of our state for generations. With the identification of Cole Tomas Allen following the events at the Washington Hilton, the nation is asking: Do the new federal protocols apply here? Just 48 hours ago, on April 24, 2026, the Department of Justice officially rescinded the federal execution moratorium. By authorizing firing squads and nitrogen gas to "expedite the ultimate punishment," the federal government has signaled a pivot toward speed over scrutiny. While charges against Allen currently focus on firearms and assault, the growing shadow of 18 U.S.C. § 1751 suggests a federal push for maximum accountability—and maximum velocity.
The Cincinnati Connection: The Ghost of Derrick Jamison
If the administration intends to use cases like Allen’s as a benchmark for efficiency, we must first look at the face of Derrick Jamison of Cincinnati. Derrick is a good friend of mine and a former committee member of Protecting Ohioans’ Constitutional Rights. His story is not just a case study; it is a living testament to the flaws in our machinery of justice.
Sunday, April 26, 2026 - 11:00am
Scioto Audubon Metro Park, 400 W. Whittier St., Columbus, OH 43215
FREE Community booths, environmental information, music, food booths and trucks, children's activities.
Sponsored by Green Columbus