ICO Newsletter - 2/5/25
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50501 Protests Today
You have probably seen the posters about these marches, and some discussion wondering whether or not they are suspicious. To the best of our knowledge, these are protests put together in every state by individuals, not organizations. It seems sensible to be cautious, but also, this is the energy and action we need to fight Elon’s coup and the threat of Project 2025!
If you go, stay with a friend, be alert, and have your eye on an exit. It would be a good idea to check out these protest safety tips from Greenpeace. FYI there was a Newsweek article about the protests. It says the organizers have partnered with "Political Revolution, a group initially created to support Senator Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential bid."
In any case, if you go, Meryl Neiman will be at the corner of 3rd and State Streets at 11:45am with an Indivisible banner. Folks are invited to gather there and then join the rally! She will then march over to Senator Moreno's office & try to go up for a visit. She’d love for you to join her!
Showing up at Moreno’s office is super important. Here is a sign up sheet for office visits to Moreno on other days. If his office does not allow us to speak to staffers, these events will have to be changed. Sign up and stay tuned. We’ll contact you with up-to-date info. We'll add Husted office visits as soon as we know a local office address.
Where’s Dave?
Contact State Attorney General Yost at 1-800-282-0515.
Here’s the script: Hi. My name is [ ] and I’m calling from [community] in Ohio. I am greatly concerned about Elon Musk’s hostile takeover of our government and having access to our personal information. I know attorney generals in other states are organizing to file suit. I’d like to know what Attorney General Yost is planning to do to protect Ohioans from this illegal intrusion.
A reminder:
Sign up HERE to sign our Rapid Response Readiness Pledge. Basically, this is an opportunity to be notified when we’re hitting the streets. If and when we decide to have a big protest rally in defense of our country and constitution, you will be the first to know.
Sign up HERE to get calls to action in your inbox. We will email you with scripts and contact information when your calls or emails are urgently needed. It might be once or twice a week—maybe less. It depends how crazy and lawless Trump is on the daily. We’ll also post these calls to action on the group’s Facebook page, but this is a way to make sure you don’t miss the important stuff.
Sign up HERE to attend our 2025 Kickoff Meeting, Saturday, February 8, 1-2:30pm. We have over 300 people registered so far, and hope to double that before the event. Free on-site childcare will be available at the event! Fill out this form to let us know how many children you are bringing, and their ages. After you register, look out for an email later in the week with some notes about the meeting.
Download the “5 Calls” app for super easy daily calls
Go to your App store and download the 5 Calls app (or go to the link to use it on your computer). The app has calls to action complete with suggested scripts, and puts you through to your correct reps. This week we URGENTLY need calls to oppose Trump’s very worst nominations:
Project 2025 Author Russell Vought for OMB Director
RFK Jr for Secretary of Health and Human Services
Kash Patel for Director of the FBI
Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence
Take Action this Week: Call to Oppose these Terrible Bills!
HB 6 – Enact the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act.
HB 6 is the House version of SB 1, the “Higher Education Destruction Act.”
What can you do now?
Contact these members of the House Workforce and Higher Education Committee to say you oppose this bill:
Tom Young, chair - 614-466-6504; rep37@ohiohouse.gov
Kevin Ritter, vice chair – 614-466-2158; rep94@ohiohouse.gov
Beryl Piccolantonio, ranking member – 614-466-4847; rep4@ohiohouse.gov
QUICK ACTION: Take action today and email your Ohio Representative, your Ohio Senator, and members of the House and Senate Higher Education Committees.
SB 3 – Phase-Down the State Income Tax to a Flat Rate of 2.75%
This bill would phase-down the state income tax over two years. See this article from Policy Matters Ohio.
What can you do now?
Contact these members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and ask them to oppose this bill:
Louis (Bill) Blessing, chair - 614-466-8068; blessing@ohiosenate.gov
Kristina Roegner, vice-chair - 614-466-4823; roegner@ohiosenate.gov
William DeMora, ranking member - 614-466-4583; demora@ohiosenate.gov
SB 63 – Prohibit Use of Ranked Choice Voting; Withhold Funding for Use
SB 63 would generally prohibit the use of ranked choice voting and to withhold Local Government Fund distributions from a municipality or chartered county that uses ranked choice voting.
What can you do now?
Contact these members of the Senate General Government Committee and ask them to oppose this bill:
Kristina Roegner, chair - 614-466-4823; roegner@ohiosenate.gov
Theresa Gavarone, vice chair (and bill sponsor) - 614-466-8060; gavarone@ohiosenate.gov
Willis Blackshear, ranking member – 614-466-4538; blackshear@ohiosenate.gov
NOTE: After you have made your calls, take 10 seconds and record the call HERE in our Action Report. Use this form every time you reach out to an elected! Bookmark the link for future reference – or find it pinned at the top of our Facebook group page.
Ideas and Inspirations for You
Upcoming Events (Calendar view)
Wednesday, 2/5/2025: HB 8: Protecting Public Schools From Religious Extremism, 7pm. With the passing of HB 8 in the Lame Duck session, School Districts have until April to get a RTRI policy in place. Come learn about what was signed into Ohio law and see sample policies for school districts to consider. RW&B is partnering with Natalie Hastings from Honesty for Ohio Education for the good information and the RTRI toolkit has been updated. Register.
Thursday, 2/6/2025: Troublemaker Training: How to be a Media Rockstar, 7:30pm. Hosted by RW&B: “You are making waves and bringing change to your community -- are you ready to up your game? It's time to become a media rockstar! How do you build relationships with reporters, successfully navigate interviews and bring attention to your efforts? Join us to learn what you need to know about interacting with the media.” Register.
Saturday, 2/8/2025: Indivisible Central Ohio 2025 Kickoff Meeting, 1pm, First UU Church, 93 W Weishheimer Rd, Columbus. Are you ready to take action? Join Indivisible Central Ohio for their 2025 kick-off meeting. We're ready to orient and engage new members, as well as refresh and re-energize those who have been with us from the beginning. All are welcome! With Trump back in office, there is much work to be done, at the local, state, and federal levels. Join fellow activists to learn how we can keep working for the world we want to see and pushing back against the nonsense. RSVP at this link!
Wednesday, 2/12/2025: Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle, 6pm, via Zoom. At the Huddle we’ll take a look at what’s ahead in 2025 for redistricting in Ohio. We’ll touch on local Ohio redistricting efforts (recent and upcoming).
Wednesday, 2/12/2025: Documentary “BAD FAITH” with Upper Arlington Progressive Action, 6pm, Phoenix Theaters, Lennox Town Center, 777 Kinnear Rd, Columbus. BAD FAITH is a must watch documentary for those who want to learn the history behind the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States, and the dire implications it could have if they succeed in their goals. Join UAPA members and friends for a FREE screening of this important movie, followed by discussion. See the trailer. Read the Variety review.
Saturday, 2/15/2025: How We Can Affect the Statehouse, 2:30-5pm, hosted by Southeast Progressives of Franklin County and Fairfield County. Kick off our 2025 journey with Meredith Lawson-Rowe, newly elected state representative for House District 5! Our guest expert Rachel Coyle will discuss what's going on in the Ohio Statehouse and how small actions you take, combined with the direct actions of other activists, can make a big difference in your community. Indivisible More info and registration HERE.
Saturday, 2/22/2025: Ramp Up for Repro Columbus in person training, noon. This training from Abortion Forward will further acquaint you with political advocacy tactics, repro lingo, and help you find the best way to get involved. Every month, we dive into movement ecology, abortion messaging, the current landscape of abortion access, and provide next steps for you to take action!
Thursday, 2/27/2025: Candidate Forum for City Council and School Board, 6:30pm, New Birth Christian Ministries, 3475 Refugee Rd, Columbus. Sponsored by Columbus Stand Up. Come out and hear from candidates for Columbus City Council and Columbus School Board who would like to earn your vote! Register here.
Mia for the OHCentral Team
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Find us at our website indivisiblecentralohio.org. Follow us here and on our public and closed Facebook pages to stay current with all our activities. Add our Indivisible Central Ohio Google Calendar so you can follow all our events. You can also follow us on Threads, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube.