On March 19th, climate activists around the world are taking to the street to demand immediate action on climate change. For too long, our leaders have delivered empty promises, while the climate crisis worsens and communities suffer. We have no time to wait.

Sunrise Columbus is calling for concrete action now. Join us at the Ohio State Capitol on March 19th, along with thousands worldwide in coordination with FridaysForFuture, to make your voice heard and demand climate justice.

We demand a greener Columbus, a just and sustainable Ohio, and a national Green New Deal for good jobs and a livable planet for all.

#NoMoreEmptyPromises

Bring a sign, a mask, water, comfortable shoes, and bring a friend or two to grow this movement.

Friday, March 191 – 3pm EDT,

Sunday, March 7, 8-10pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Join the Revolutionary Socialist Network for two discussions on the book Corona, Climate, Chronic Emergency: War Communism in the Twenty-First Century. In our discussion, we will be addressing author Andreas Malm’s question: What does COVID-19 tell us about the climate breakdown, and what should we do about it?

• March 7 [Chapters 1 and 2]: Here, Malm lays out the foundational facts connecting the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and capitalism, while contrasting the world’s governments’ responses to this catastrophic era.

• March 21 [Chapter 3]: Malm proposes how the present emergency requires urgent and dramatic action, using historical references to the period of “war communism” after the Russian Revolution.

RSVP for this event by using this link.

Buy the book by using this link.

Undaunted, the pandemic can’t stop the Pan African Film Festival and in that immortal show biz tradition, the show must go on! Albeit virtually, as this year in order to stay cinematically safe, America’s largest and best annual Black-themed filmfest since 1992 is moving online and starting later than usual, kicking off on the last day of Black History Month. 2021’s 29th annual Pan African Virtual Film + Arts Festival is taking place from Feb. 28 – March 14.

Like love, film is a many splendored thing for PAFF. This unique filmfest screens productions in various formats and mediums – including features, documentaries, studio blockbusters like Coming 2 America, indies and animation – and also in a variety of lengths. The common thread PAFF weaves is a tapestry of works regarding the Black experience, from Timbuktu to Papua New Guinea to the Caribbean to L.A. and beyond, by and about Blacks. And often PAFF presents films that Angeleno moviegoers may never otherwise have an opportunity to view (and gives them a foothold in a world movie capital). So thanks to PAFF, I was able to behold two worthy short films.

CELESTE’S DREAM: GOOD GRIEF!

At a glance, it may appear that the split of Arab political parties in Israel is consistent with a typical pattern of political and ideological divisions which have afflicted the Arab body politic for many years. This time, however, the reasons behind the split are quite different.

The protester civil-rights suit concluded this week as two Columbus police commanding officers took the virtual stand in the City’s defense. One commander insinuated the Division’s use of force against protesters was warranted because lines were crossed when objects were hurled at them or when the Palace Theatre was damaged.

“Most cops understand when individuals are going from peaceful to violent,” testified Commander Duane Mabry to a City defense attorney. “And so we have to move that to a large scale with a crowd. So throwing stuff at us is kind of a clue they are a violent crowd. Destroying property is a clue they are a violent crowd. Fighting amongst each other is a clue they are violent crowd.”

After the Ferguson protests in 2014, Cmdr. Mabry was tasked to give the entire Division a “refresher course” on crowd control and to continue to do so annually.