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Ginther’s Executive Order on Ethics and Conduct is Not Worth the Paper it is Printed On

Joe Motil

Joe Motil, former Columbus City Council candidate and longtime community advocate who is submitting about 2,000 petition signatures to run for mayor in the 2023 May Primary election states, “On the eve of the trial of former Republican State House Speaker Larry Householders’ federal racketeering charges, statehouse Republican legislatures held a January 18th press conference to announce the introduction of an ethics reform bill. The proposals in this bill barely scratch the surface on corruption and the unethical behavior of elected officials, lobbyists and others. It’s hard to 'reform ethics' when there are none.”      

Motil continues , “On May 10, 2016, Mayor Ginther signed an Executive Order on 'Ethics and Conduct: Accountability and Integrity for Effective Governance.' Just as leaders of  the Republican state legislature attempting to save face because their former leader begins his trial in what is described as the 'largest corruption case in Ohio history,' Andy Ginther’s 2016 Executive Order on Ethics and Conduct stands as a page from the same playbook.”     

Simply Living Special Screening of THE TERRITORY

Details about event

Sunday, January 22, 2023, 2:00 PM
THE TERRITORY provides an immersive on-the-ground look at the tireless fight of the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people against the encroaching deforestation brought by farmers and illegal settlers in the Brazilian Amazon. With awe-inspiring cinematography showcasing the titular landscape and richly textured sound design, the film takes audiences deep into the Uru-eu-wau-wau community and provides unprecedented access to the farmers and settlers illegally burning and clearing the protected Indigenous land.  The Panel will include diverse perspectives on the crisis in the Amazon, including ecological, Rights of Nature, anthropological, and political/historical.  

Watch Film Anytime between January 17 – 22 and join the discussion on the 22nd.   

Abortion Action Blitz Rally

Details about event

Saturday, January 21, 1:30-2:30pm, Ohio Statehouse

This month marks the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and we are coming together at the Ohio Statehouse on Saturday, January 21 to commemorate, demonstrate, and continue the fight for reproductive freedom. During this time, we will be hearing from folx in our communities that have had abortions and rallying for access for all. Stand up for Ohioans and help us maintain what reproductive rights and abortion access that we have while we work towards building something even better.

RSVP for this event by using this link.

Hosted by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio.

Facebook Event

Same as it ever was? City Council districts in play for May’s primary

Two candidates

This past weekend in the brisk sunshine, a volunteer representing Adrienne Hood for Columbus City Council knocked on the front door of a registered voter on Karl Road in the new District 4, which encompasses much of the northside. As traffic raced in both directions, someone finally opened the door.

The volunteer was seeking signatures to qualify Hood as a candidate for City Council’s primary vote this coming May – the first election ever for City Council’s new nine district system, that was approved by voters in 2018. The general election is November, and in 2024, a councilmember will represent each of the nine districts increasing the current number of Councilmembers by two.

Hood’s volunteer asks the voter, “Do you remember who Adrienne Hood’s son was? He was shot and killed by Columbus police.”

Third Act Ohio to Protest Chase Bank's Funding of Fossil Fuels

People protesting

Friday January 20, Noon-1:00 pm
100 E Broad St, Columbus, OH – outside Chase Tower/Chase Bank
Protest against Chase Bank funding of the fossil fuel industry
Third Act Ohio, a group of "experienced" Americans 60+ will demonstrate outside Chase Tower to raise public awareness about how Chase and other big banks are funding the climate chaos we have witnessed in extreme flooding, wildfires, and droughts since 2018.  Chase is by far the worst offender, having loaned $382B for fossil-fuel projects between 2016 and 2021.  The International Energy Agency—long an ally of oil, gas, and coal companies—about-faced last year:  it warned the world to cease all new fossil-fuel projects in 2021 to have any chance to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.  Third Actors will also be delivering letters to the bank's branch manager, and for delivery to Chase CEO Jamie Dimon.

Busting Myths - Columbus, Ohio: Rude and Crude

Police car

Part Two

A new set of factors emerged in winter 2021-22. The first opened a previously unexposed window into the failed interworking of the Assistant City Attorney liaison for the Columbus Police Department (CPD). I first learned about this from a conversation with an exceptionally knowledgeable, professional CPD officer about why he was not permitted to give a citation or tow a car that was parked illegally.

For a relatively brief time, a court in another state ruled that police or parking enforcement officers chalking tires or making a note on a car’s window to indicate that it was observed for the 72-hour limit represented an “invasion of privacy.” A Michigan court struck that down.

After my conversation with the CPD officer, I contacted the relevant Assistant City Attorney. He refused to accept any information, citizen input, or question. While referring to the relevant court rulings, he denied their actual content, demonstrating complete unfamiliarity with the basics of his paid employment.

Stopping Fascism Beforehand

There are a lot of reasons for a progressive caring person not to be focused on the growing threat of fascism in the United States. After getting past all the pressing needs of one’s personal life (in a society of long hours, financial insecurity, poor healthcare, energetic kids drugged, a record number of adults imprisoned, the most finely tuned propaganda system ever devised, not to mention intimidation and fear), the main stumbling block is that everything is turned into a partisan question. If you’re focused on the growing violence and hatred and lawlessness of Republicans, then you’re cheerleading for the Democrats.

Protest at MLK program demands changes

Protesters with signs

Protesters staging a protest outside the Lincoln Theatre on East Long Street in Columbus, Ohio before the City of Columbus's Martin Luther King Day Program, demanding change and action in the City, in regards to equality and preventing violence.

These protesters were carrying signs demanding justice for recent high-profile Black murders in the Columbus area, including Andre Hill (killed by a then-Columbus Police Officer in Northwest Columbus in December 2020), Donovan Lewis (a 20 year-old Black man who was killed by Columbus Police in the Hilltop), and 13 year-old Sinzae Reed. Reed, who was murdered in October 2022 outside the Wedgewood Apartments in West Columbus was murdered by a 36 year-old White man. On January 17, the Columbus Dispatch reported that the Franklin County Coroner's Office officially declared Reed's death a homicide.

ComFest Seeking Applications for 2023 Community Grants Program

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The Community Festival (ComFest) is seeking applications for its 2023 Community Grants program. Each year, ComFest invites grant applications to support and sustain innovative programming demonstrating a commitment to ComFest’s principles and mission which are rooted in community, social justice and progressive activism. 

ComFest established the grants program in the spirit of giving back to the community. Since 2006, nearly $350,000 has been awarded to local organizations.

To learn more about ComFest’s Grants program, application requirements, previous grant recipients, and submit an application, please visit: https://www.comfest.com/committees/grants.

The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, March 13, 2023. Applications received after the deadline cannot be considered.

Soy Cuba Movie

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Thursday, Jan 19 7pm-9pm
Join the Central Ohio Revolutionary Socialists!
This week, we will be meeting at the Ohio State University campus in the Enarson Classrooms Building Room 214 from 7-9pm, where we will be watching a screening of the revolutionary film “Soy Cuba.” This film explores stories of four Cubans suffering under the U.S.-supported Batista dictatorship before the 1959 Cuban revolution. Hope to see you there! 
Join online: http://tinyurl.com/CORSmeeting

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