A few dozen activists gathered at Columbus City Hall on Saturday November 3 at 1pm to Fight the Right! They called for an end to the violence and for everyone to get organized to build a better world. The reason for the rally: this past week has seen an outburst in fascist violence. From attacks on prominent politicians to the racially motivated shooting in Louisville to the largest incident of anti-Semitic violence in the country's history, the right has attempted to sow fear in the minds of the public in the hopes that we'll back down and let them continue their dangerous agenda. These are not isolated incidents. These attacks are part of a larger and growing global fascist movement, intended to isolate and intimidate.

As leftists, we're here to tell them we won't stop fighting for a better world where people of color, Muslims, Jews, women, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ folks, disabled folks, and the poor are free from oppression. We recognize any challenge to fascism must come from the bottom up in the form of mass movements that challenge their power and the economic system it stems from. 

Sunday, November 4, 4pm, Boulevard Presbyterian Church, 1235 Northwest Blvd.

The Neighborhood Services, Inc. Food Pantry is excited to present its annual Church Choir Concert Fundraiser! Featuring the combined talented vocals of several Columbus-area churches, join us for an afternoon of music and community as we come together to the blessings of the Thanksgiving season.

This event is free or pay-what-you-wish so please join us in choral jubilation!

Neighborhood Services, Inc. (NSI) had been founded in 1965 by churches in the University District in response to the growing needs of nearby neighbors. From its humble beginnings, NSI has grown into one of the largest hunger assistance service providers in Columbus, Ohio. NSI primarily serves working low-income families and individuals, unemployed individuals and their families, and single heads of household with young, dependent children in the Columbus community.

Hosted by Boulevard Presbyterian Church and the Neighborhood Services, Inc. food pantry.

A Bravura, Colossal Opera of Activism

To support his musical habit and pay the bills, for 20 years among other day jobs composer Philip Glass was a cab driver in New York City. But being a hack finally paid off in 1980 as the Glass ceiling was shattered when Satyagraha burst upon the Schouwburg’s stage in Rotterdam, Holland.

There’s a tendency to look down on opera as a centuries’ old art form that’s an outdated medium for old maids, stuffed shirts and all-around fuddy-duddies. But Glass’ revolutionary Satyagraha gives the lie to that clichéd canard. Through mesmerizing music, magisterial stagemanship, surreal scenery, radical politics and more, this three-act, three-hour-plus operatic extravaganza about Mohandas K. Gandhi’s (tenor Sean Panikkar, Pennsylvania-born son of immigrants from Sri Lanka) struggle for social justice is a tour-de-force. 

Candidates have their campaigns energized by Trump, but it may be for good or bad. Some candidates would like to accept his endorsement softly, but that is not possible. Trump’s endorsements may harm their chance of election because:

·       He and the Republican leaders still want to rescind or weaken the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA, Obamacare). They have no viable replacement. ACA is becoming more popular as more people benefit from it.

·       He wants to reduce the benefits from Social Security and Medicare, which is financed solely by FICA Withholding Tax on the workers first $118,500 of earned income.

·       He is a racist and bigot, being against people of color, Hispanics, Muslim, LGBTs; and now apparently Jews, evidence, his inappropriate response following the mega bombing and the mass murders in Pittsburgh.

·       He is a consummate liar.

·       He is desperate this last week before the election. To crowd the real issues out of the news, he is making impossible proposals and promises to the dwindling number of his supporters.