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Beyond Two State Solution - Why Recognizing State of Palestine is Important

In politics, context is crucial. 

 To truly appreciate the recent decision by Ireland, Spain and Norway to recognize the state of Palestine, the subject has to be placed in proper context. 

 On November 15, 1988, Yasser Arafat, then Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization, declared Palestine as an independent state.

 The proclamation took place within important and unique contexts: 

Genocide Continues

    "in the end we will not remember the words of our enemies but we will
remember the silence of our friends"

The genocide, ecocude, and scholasticide in Palestine continues. The
Israeli regime ignores calls from the UN, governments around the world, the
International court of justice, the International criminal court, and
hundreds of millions around the world. More Israeli soldiers are killed or
captured by the resistance so Israel continues to kill civilians as that is
all it can do hoping to end indigenous people. But the world is changing
and truth telling is not being silenced by intimidation and threats from
bullies and racists.  I see this even in my last few days talking in New
Zealand/Aotearoa. Sold-out events, amazing energy....we are grateful to
people who act around the world. Below are bits of information I share this
week. We must all redouble our efforts (get knowledge and act on knowledge
to end this genocide and in so doing save the planet from catastrophic
global war). And as I explained to politicalleaders both in Australia and

FrackStock offers free food, music and celebrates writer Justin Nobel on June 2

Details about event

FrackStock, a celebration of science journalist Justin Nobel's new book
exposing health risks gas and oil workers are exposed to from working with
radioactive toxic waste will be held Sunday, June 2 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road in Columbus.

The alcohol-free event features free food, folk, Celtic and blues music, and
presentations by Ohio organizations dedicated to preserving Ohio's
environment and phasing out fossil fuels.

To register for a free ticket, visit https://bit.ly/4byaDSY.

"Woodstock came about because of the Viet Nam War and young people's desire
to express love and peace with music," said Carolyn Harding of Grassroot
Ohio, an event organizer. "FrackStock operates on the same premise-love,
Justin and music."

Nobel spent seven years traveling eastern and southeastern Ohio, West

Free Palestine Coalition Condemns Pink-Washing and Calls for Boycott of Queer Organizations Funded by Weapons and Fossil Fuel Industries

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A grassroots coalition of queer and trans people of color, anti-Zionist Jews, and community organizers demands an end to the Israeli pink-washing of the genocide against Palestinians. The Free Palestine Coalition calls for a boycott of queer organizations that accept funding from weapons manufacturers and fossil fuel companies.

“Pink-washing”, or the strategy of using LGBTQ+ rights to distract from human rights abuses, is a propaganda technique used to detract attention from the oppression faced by Palestinians. Numerous corporations and governments are cynically employing LGBTQ+ rhetoric to garner progressive credentials while perpetuating violence and environmental destruction.

"We stand firm in our commitment to queer liberation, climate justice, and Palestinian liberation," said Komencanto Eterna, a local organizer for the Free Palestine Coalition. 

Calling on Attorney General Yost to dissolve FirstEnergy

Protesters at the Ohio Statehouse

A group of consumers and environmental and democracy organizations held a press conference at the Thomas Worthington Center on May 29 to demand that Ohio Attorney General David Yost dissolve FirstEnergy Corporation for its central role in the massive bribery scheme to pass House Bill 6. Members of the FirstEnergy Accountability Coalition at the Ohio Statehouse urged Yost, who has filed a civil suit against the company, to dissolve the company pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code 2923.34(B)(3).

Activists dressed as Ida B. Wells and 1920s reporters pointed out to the crowd that citizens have the right to dissolve corporations.

SOS - An Antidote to Crackpot Neo-Nuclearism

“One cannot exist without the other.  Without civil nuclear power, there can be no military nuclear power, and without military nuclear power, there is no civil nuclear power.” – French President Emmanuel Macron

“Imagine a death technology calling itself a nuclear renaissance. All it is, is a nuclear rebirth of an even more gouging crony capitalism, or corporate welfare system.” – Ralph Nader

Nuclear power in the US is in decline…42 reactor projects were abandoned, 41 built but closed, and scores now operate only thanks to government rescues…Nuclear power is a minor distraction, adding each year at best only as much electricity supply as renewables add every few days. It has no business case or operational need anywhere. - Amory Lovins

[C]ivilian nuclear power is merely a cover for producing more nuclear weapons.” – Alfred Meyer

By James Heddle By Mary Beth Brangan - EON

Behind Bars

A major victory for the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity

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In 2020, following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, local activists were pressing Columbus City Council to pass policy which would rein in one of the nation’s worst law enforcement agencies when it comes to excessive and unwarranted use of force. (If still in doubt, here’s Free Press editor Bob Fitrakis’s article from 2017.)

A few activists back in 2020 told the Free Press they had been promised by Columbus City Council president Shannon Harding that culture-changing policy would be passed. And some policy was enacted, such as a Civilian Review Board and ending the use of tear gas to disperse peaceful protestors.

But the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity (OCEQI) believed those measures weren’t enough, and that the only policy that would force serious culture change was ending qualified immunity. The legal doctrine that allows public officials to escape consequences (such as being sued) for unreasonable behavior even when they violate someone’s Constitutional rights.

Reeltime with Richard: Historic tale recounts pope’s abduction of Jewish boy

Two little boys praying

Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara relates the true story of a young Jewish boy who was taken from his parents so he could be converted to Christianity.

It’s a disturbing tale, but you may also find it a bit confusing unless you know something about Italian history. It also helps if you have a little patience.

Veteran director Marco Bellocchio takes his time unfolding the account of 6-year-old Edgardo Mortara, who is seized from his Bologna home in 1858 after Catholic officials learn he’d been secretly baptized as a baby. According to law, as the local “inquisitor” explains to the parents, he therefore must be raised as a Christian.

The boy’s father and mother, Salomone and Marianna (Fausto Russo Alesi and Barbara Ronchi), are shocked, as they know nothing about the baptism. They beg the official not to take their son, but their pleas only win them a 24-hour reprieve. After that, Edgardo (Enea Sala) is whisked away to Rome and enrolled in a school along with other boys who are training to become Catholic.

Trump Felon

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