Sandwiched between the nation’s honoring of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 18 and the inauguration of President Biden on January 20, a deportation charter flight is scheduled to leave Florence (Arizona), for Mauritania on Tuesday. Flights to Haiti and Jamaica with others being deported are also scheduled.

These are some of the last acts of Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) . For the Black Mauritanian, Haitian, and Jamaican communities and their families, it is deeply painful for these asylum-seekers who traveled so far to seek freedom and their families.

Before Trump, deportations to Mauritania “were rare”, says Houleye Thiam, president of the Mauritanian Network for Human Rights in US (MNHRUS), which is based in Columbus and Cincinnati. According to US Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, the largest Mauritanian community in the US is here in Central Ohio.

One of the many things we must rightly demand of the incoming U.S. government is the abandonment of rogue status, the serious participation in treaties, a cooperative and productive relationship with the rest of the world.

We’ve all heard about the Iran agreement, which ought to be re-joined and made into a treaty — and sanctions ought to be ended. Biden can do this alone, except for the ending sanctions part.

We’ve all heard about the Paris climate agreement, which ought to be re-joined and made into a treaty — and military pollution included. Biden can do this alone on Day 1.

But what about the others? What about the treaties that Trump has illegally withdrawn from (illegally because treaties require Congress, and because these treaties have built-in procedures for addressing the alleged problems Trump used as excuses to withdraw)? Biden can rejoin them at will. Does he have the will?

Wednesday, January 13–Saturday, January 16
Comic book fans of all ages: get ready for the ninth annual Schomburg Black Comic Book Festival, the virtual edition!
Each year, the Schomburg Center’s Black Comic Book Festival brings creators, illustrators, writers, and independent publishers together with thousands of collectors, blerds, and nerds for two days of programming and activities. The highly-anticipated community event includes interactive panel discussions, a vendor marketplace featuring exclusive titles by Black creators, a cosplay show, and more.
Black Comic Book Festival participants are encouraged to wear their favorite cosplay costumes and to register for the annual cosplay show (details TBA).

Have you registered yet?

Events include a tribute to actor and former Schomburg Center acting teacher Chadwick Boseman, a workshop with animator Tim Fielder, the launch event of John Jennings's Megascope imprint, and more!

How Do We Stop the Black on Black Killings in Columbus?
Thursday, January 14, 6pm

Special Guests:
Honorable Judge Terri Jamison – Franklin County
Pastor Frederick V. Lamarr – Family Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. Jordan Argus – Crane R&D
Bro. Cecil Ahad – Pres/CEO Men for the Movement
George Howard – All-Ohio Basketball
Byron L. Potts – Byron L. Potts & Co., LPA
Khari Enaharo – Media Host
James Ragland – Columbus City Schools, School Board Member
Rhodesia McMillian, PHD – Columbus City Schools, School Psychologist
John Gregory – National Center for Urban Solutions
Honorable Judge Lasheyl Stroud – Franklin County
Be sure to spread the word.
Join the discussion LIVE on 1/14/21@6pm

Stop the War on Yemen Webinar