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America Goes to War

At last week’s Rage Against the War Machine peace rally in Washington there was no shortage of speakers who denounced the Biden Administration’s hypocritical foreign policy, which essentially judges any violent action undertaken by the United States and its friends as good by definition while anything done by rivals or competitors, sometimes conveniently referred to as “enemies,” as “evil.” In the current context of Ukraine versus Russia, where the US is engaged in proxy warfare, speakers were able to cite and compare the formidable list of America’s armed interventions worldwide since World War Two ended. Neither Russia nor any other nation comes anywhere near the United States in terms of constant bellicosity, conflicts which hardly ever reflect any real vital national interest or imminent foreign threat.

Sunrise Columbus General Hub Meeting

People posing outside by trees with signs

Monday, February 27, 2023, 7:00 – 8:30 PM
Welcome to Sunrise Columbus! We are the local hub of a national, youth-led movement fighting for political action on climate change. We advocate for sustainable policies in Columbus, across Ohio, and at the federal level, to ensure a just and livable planet for all.  

Whether you're new to Sunrise or have been here since the beginning, all are welcome to our weekly Monday meetings.  This meeting is not at our normal location due to scheduling conflicts. It is being held at a private residence. We intend to return to our primary location (normally the Main Library) at our future in person meetings. Join us to take bold action!  In person event,

PART II: CINEMATICALLY CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

This February, two major film institutions – the Pan African Film Festival and a movie museum – in Los Angeles, the world capital of cinema, honored Black History Month through the medium of moving images with screenings, presentations, panel discussions and more. Here’s the second of a two-part series.

THE ACADEMY MUSEUM OF MOTION PICTURES

Regeneration Summit

‘Truth, No Matter What’: Why Watering Down Palestinian Reality is a Crime

On February 20, the United Nations Security Council approved a statement, described in the media as a ‘watered-down’ version of an earlier draft resolution which would have demanded that Israel “immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory.”

The Pink Hard Hat

Steelworkers

When I hired into the steel mill, Lorain Works, US Steel, in 1970, it was a monstrous place, smoking, churning out tons of steel, with thousands of workers going in and out almost constantly. Around 9,000 workers they said.

The town of Lorain was/is an old mill town, with more bars than churches and more churches than whatever was next. I hadn’t known then there were as many different nationalities on earth as the number of different nationality clubs that were there, supporting the many nationalities of the workers recruited by U.S. Steel to work there (always looking for ways to pit one against another).

From Americans for Justice in Palestine Action:  Tell President Biden to support the UN Security Council resolution

Details about event

The UN Security Council will vote on a resolution calling on Israel to cease all settlement activity immediately. Although the Biden Administration said it was “deeply dismayed” by Israel’s actions and maintained a “firm opposition to the settlement expansion,” unconfirmed reports indicate that President Biden will order yet another veto – shielding Israel from international accountability. 

On February 13, 2023, the Israeli Security Cabinet retroactively legalized nine illegal settlement outposts in the occupied West Bank, announcing the building of 10,000 additional housing units on Palestinian land. The announcement is the largest plan of additional settlements ever.  

According to international humanitarian law, Israel's practice of settling its citizens in Palestinian territory is illegal and violates Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. This article prohibits the deportation or transfer of an occupying power's civilian population into the territory it occupies and also bans the individual or mass forcible transfers and deportations of protected persons from the occupied territory. 

On the ground report from East Palestine

Scene of railroad track and machinery

On Thursday night at Studio 25, a small art gallery in downtown East Palestine, a meeting hosted by River Valley Organizing was held regarding the Norfolk Southern derailment disaster. This meeting included scientists who came to town to test and attempt to explain the dangers facing the small town in Eastern Ohio, as well as residents and lots of media.

It was too packed to get in, but it was announced out loud that there were dangerous levels of toxins exposed to the area. That may seem obvious, but the railroad company hasn’t really been saying much of anything out loud or admitting to much of anything. They referred to the plastic explosive catalyzed demolition of a train car full of chemicals a “controlled release.” 

The only control they had was the detonation button. The safety and well-being of the people who live in the area doesn’t not seem to be their priority. In a town where the safety of just existing is up in the air (an activist canvassing the area was quoted as saying, “after three hours, I could feel my skin burning.”), the company offered a meager two thousand dollars for residents to permanently relocate. 

Community Conversations.  What is Safety:  How We Define Safety for Our Community

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Saturday, February 25, 2023, 2:30 – 4:30 PM
People's Justice Project, J.U.S.T., and other community members are coming together for a series of Community Conversations, described as "an important discussion about why city authorities can no longer ignore our communities."  
Columbus Metropolitan Library, Main Branch, 96 S. Grant Ave., 43215.

‘America is Not a Racist Country’: How Nikki Haley Became Israel’s Candidate for the White House

Though it has been argued that the so-called American dream is long dead, Nikki Haley is proof that the dream is still alive. Unfortunately, the ‘dream’ is hers alone.

Until recently, a close confidante of former US President Donald Trump and his pro-Israel circle, Haley wants to be the next United States president. On February 14, she officially declared her candidacy and, starting February next year, she will be officially competing against her former bosses in the Republican primaries. 

The Green Book: Guide to Freedom

Title and car

Friday, Feb 24, 6:30-8:30pm
Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St.

AARP Ohio presents the Smithsonian Channel's, "The Green Book: Guide to Freedom," at the Columbus Museum of Art. Parking and event admission are FREE! *

Join us to hear from local historian Rita Fuller-Yates as she takes us on a historical tour and discussion about the Green Book, right from our seats! She'll share the book's connections to Central Ohio, before the movie was even a concept. Then, stay for movie treats and the beautifully told documentary takes a deeper look.

African Americans embraced the automobile and the promise of the open road, but they faced a world of danger driving to unfamiliar locales. This is the story of "The Negro Motorist Green Book," a travel guide to navigate the sometimes-treacherous highways of a segregated nation. See how it became a roadmap to some of the most significant people, successful businesses, and important milestones of the Civil Rights Movement.

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