Local

A grassroots coalition of queer and trans people of color, anti-Zionist Jews, and community organizers demands an end to the Israeli pink-washing of the genocide against Palestinians. The Free Palestine Coalition calls for a boycott of queer organizations that accept funding from weapons manufacturers and fossil fuel companies.

“Pink-washing”, or the strategy of using LGBTQ+ rights to distract from human rights abuses, is a propaganda technique used to detract attention from the oppression faced by Palestinians. Numerous corporations and governments are cynically employing LGBTQ+ rhetoric to garner progressive credentials while perpetuating violence and environmental destruction.

"We stand firm in our commitment to queer liberation, climate justice, and Palestinian liberation," said Komencanto Eterna, a local organizer for the Free Palestine Coalition. 

A group of consumers and environmental and democracy organizations held a press conference at the Thomas Worthington Center on May 29 to demand that Ohio Attorney General David Yost dissolve FirstEnergy Corporation for its central role in the massive bribery scheme to pass House Bill 6. Members of the FirstEnergy Accountability Coalition at the Ohio Statehouse urged Yost, who has filed a civil suit against the company, to dissolve the company pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code 2923.34(B)(3).

Activists dressed as Ida B. Wells and 1920s reporters pointed out to the crowd that citizens have the right to dissolve corporations.

In 2020, following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, local activists were pressing Columbus City Council to pass policy which would rein in one of the nation’s worst law enforcement agencies when it comes to excessive and unwarranted use of force. (If still in doubt, here’s Free Press editor Bob Fitrakis’s article from 2017.)

A few activists back in 2020 told the Free Press they had been promised by Columbus City Council president Shannon Harding that culture-changing policy would be passed. And some policy was enacted, such as a Civilian Review Board and ending the use of tear gas to disperse peaceful protestors.

But the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity (OCEQI) believed those measures weren’t enough, and that the only policy that would force serious culture change was ending qualified immunity. The legal doctrine that allows public officials to escape consequences (such as being sued) for unreasonable behavior even when they violate someone’s Constitutional rights.

Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara relates the true story of a young Jewish boy who was taken from his parents so he could be converted to Christianity.

It’s a disturbing tale, but you may also find it a bit confusing unless you know something about Italian history. It also helps if you have a little patience.

Veteran director Marco Bellocchio takes his time unfolding the account of 6-year-old Edgardo Mortara, who is seized from his Bologna home in 1858 after Catholic officials learn he’d been secretly baptized as a baby. According to law, as the local “inquisitor” explains to the parents, he therefore must be raised as a Christian.

The boy’s father and mother, Salomone and Marianna (Fausto Russo Alesi and Barbara Ronchi), are shocked, as they know nothing about the baptism. They beg the official not to take their son, but their pleas only win them a 24-hour reprieve. After that, Edgardo (Enea Sala) is whisked away to Rome and enrolled in a school along with other boys who are training to become Catholic.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Northern Lights Library Branch,

4093 Cleveland Ave.

Food, music, film premieres, vendors.

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM Greet & Registration Mingle and Meet the Vendors
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks Acknowledgements Certificates given to Artists Premiere of the short film Library Invasion
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM Debra James Tucker Sings Eat, Drink and Mingle Meet the Vendors
3:45 PM to 4:00 PM Closing Remarks

Special thanks to all that made this 12-week art workshop possible and YOU for being with us to celebrate the wonderful artists of the Northeast Side and Columbus.

Here is Mr. Simmons statement in its entirety:

“I am writing directly to our community once again to express a sincere apology of what has transpired. I am deeply sorry and ashamed.

I want to provide additional clarity to our community:

I can disclose the following three meetings:

7pm May 9th at the Fawcett Center: with President Christina Vera, Superintendent Dr. Anglea Chapman, Board Member Brandon Simmons. A version of this document dated May 9th is still in existence, Christina Vera and Angela Chapman provided feedback and suggestions that were placed in the document dated May 10th.

3:30 pm May 10th  at CEC Cabinet Room: with President Christina Vera, Superintendent Dr. Chapman, Board Members Jennifer Adair and Brandon Simmons. Additionally, Dr. Anglea Chapman invited staff from the Office of the Superintendent, the Communications Department, and an external participant. Prior to the May 10 meeting, Dr. Chapman distributed the May 9th document to her staff.

The May 14th press conference is a direct result of the document and this meeting. 

This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame

An overflow crowd packed the city of Ashtabula’s council chambers on May 20, spilling out into the hallway. 

Despite no official item on the council’s agenda regarding the northeastern Ohio city’s June 15 Pride Festival, residents showed up in large numbers to voice their opinions about the event. 

Prior to the meeting, Ashtabula resident Kelly Lunneberg collected signatures in an attempt to ban anyone under the age of 18 from viewing drag performances, one of the elements of the Pride Festival.

Thursday, May 30, 8-9:30pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Move to Amend invites you to join others to read this new book [Manifesto for World Revolution] and attend a virtual program on Thursday, May 30, co-sponsored by Move to Amend and A Radical Guide.

Manifesto for World Revolution presents a compelling and radical (i.e. getting to the root!) list of ideas to achieve a fundamental, systemic, profound, and sustainable future. One of them is revoking corporate charters — which Move to Amend has discussed since our founding!

The book calls for a “non-violent grassroots insurgency — borderless, leaderless, beyond Left and Right — in a last-ditch we-the-People stand.” It poignantly asks: “Where do you want to go?”

“Manifesto takes an unflinching look at our shared imperiled planetary realities under corporate rule and meets the moment by offering tangible tactics that challenge us to mobilize and alter the current global trajectory. A strategy book that engages the senses for liberation.”

• Jenie Spanos, Co-Director, Move to Amend

Wesdnesday, May 29, 11 AM
Thomas Worthington Center (Ground floor/same as gift shop)

A group of consumers and environmental and democracy organizations call today for Ohio Attorney General David Yost to dissolve FirstEnergy Corporation for its central role in the massive bribery scheme to pass House Bill 6. Members of the FirstEnergy Accountability Coalition at a Statehouse press conference urged Yost, who has filed a civil suit against the company, to dissolve the company pursuant to the Ohio Revised Code 2923.34(B)(3).

CSA – CAOA – UPDATES & OTHER TIDBITS

There’s a lot to report regarding the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). In fact, federal full legal has reemerged in the form of the proposed Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (CAOA), first introduced in 2022 and reintroduced in May this year. Updates below join a few other tidbits.

CSA (AKA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES ACT)