ICO Newsletter - 4/9/25
Hands Off Rallies held all over Ohio
Something BIG happened this past weekend. Skies were gray (or pelting down rain), but Central Ohio showed up for the HandsOff! rallies! Across Ohio, there were 57 registered events, with a total of almost 47,000 attendees. Nationwide and around the world around 5 million people took to the streets to say HANDS OFF! to Trump and Musk. Let's all work together to keep the momentum going!
Check out these photos from across the region and incredible turn out numbers. (MANY more photos and videos from Columbus HERE.)
It was amazing how many more people turned out than had previously registered. See expected and actual numbers below.
For the next BIG ONE, we want three times as many people out – that means everyone needs to bring two friends. Read here about the idea that if you can get 3.5 % of the population to turn out, we can really have an impact.
Press Coverage
Most of the press were conspicuously absent despite a lot of effort beforehand letting them know about the events. We did have a few good press hits though:
Thousands estimated for 'Hands Off!' protest in Columbus, NBC 4
Hands Off protest against Donald Trump, Elon Musk brings thousands to downtown Columbus, Columbus Dispatch
Thousands gather at Ohio Statehouse as part of 'Hands Off' protests against Trump and Musk, Ohio Capital Journal
FYI, when the Dispatch first published a story about the Columbus rally, it said that “hundreds” had attended. However, after emails from YOU, they corrected the story to say “thousands” and give our estimate of 5,000. Lesson learned: When the press undercounts, let them know they are wrong! It works.
You can see many photos and videos HERE, a short compilation video HERE, and videos of all the speakers and more at our newly upgraded YouTube channel. Sincere thanks to John and Mishka Griffin for taking on that challenge!
Voter Registration at the Cbus Rally
Never leaving stones unturned, ICO fielded a team of Orange Shirts to do voter registration at the April 5 HANDS OFF rally at the Statehouse. Thanks to John Perry, Janine-Migden Ostrander, Mary Sanger, Beth Mosure, Pierre Wolfe, Carol Cruikshank, Carmen Cordova, and Jackie Bird. Together they collected 20 voter registrations, which were delivered to the Board of Elections just ahead of the filing deadline.
What’s next?
50501 national has set the next protest for Saturday, 4/19, noon-2pm at the Statehouse. We’re going to keep you informed about the protest, even though Indivisible Central Ohio’s involvement will not be as much as it was for the April 5 HandsOff! Rally and we're not officially partnering.
We know it’s important to keep the pressure on, build our strength, diversify our coalitions, and step up to the moment. We’ve heard your constructive criticism about getting a better sound system, reaching for more diversity, and thinking about strategy. TL/DR: we’re working on it! We’re working with other groups and don’t always get to decide what we’re going to do, when or how. Please remember, we’re doing our best and nothing we do will be perfect or suit everyone’s preferences.
We promise to let you know as soon as possible about the NEXT event after April 19.
RALLIES & PROTESTS
Find info about these protests & more in the Events section of our website, indivisiblecentralohio.org.
Wednesday, 4/9/2025: Wednesday’s at Bernie’s, 12:30pm, Bricker Federal Building, 200 N. High Street. All hell is breaking loose in the country and our members of Congress are missing - Especially Bernie Moreno! More info and register HERE.
Weds, 4/9/2025 & Thurs, 4/10/2025: Hold Highway Signs! 4:30-6pm, over 71 and 315 (details in the sign up). Every week we have a new highway sign project. Bookmark this Sign Up Genius and join the team! (We have the signs. You bring the manpower.) We are also looking for more team leaders to help recruit additional sign holders and organize events. Read this to see why we want you to sign up to hold highway signs.
Saturday, 4/12/2025: Tesla Protest! 4:30-5:30, Easton Tesla Dealership. Join the weekly Tesla Takedown protest! Please make sure to ignore any counterprotesters and annoying drivers. Any fighting or fuss just looks bad on us and literally gives Elon fodder to attack us. Even driving by and giving us a supportive honk is appreciated!
Saturday, 4/19/2025: 50501 Rally, noon - 2pm, Ohio Statehouse. See the flier above.
Tuesday, 4/22/2025: Congressman Mike Carey Office Visit, 2-4pm, 140 E Town Street. Ohio Congressional District 15: Let’s meet with our US Congressman, Mike Carey, so that he can have a real conversation with his constituents. We will go to his office at 140 E Town St, and ask for a meeting with Carey or his staff. Bring your talking points, and we can present our concerns. More info and register HERE.
Thursday, 5/1/2025: Save the Date for the National Day of Action, Fight for Public Education! 4:30-7pm, Ohio Statehouse!
More Actions This Week
There’s a lot going on this (and every) week. Please take a look at the items below and take action.
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Stop the “No Rogue Rulings” Act
5 calls is alerting us that our courts are under attack. The House of Representatives is expected to vote this week to address actions that federal judges have taken against the unlawful actions of the Trump administration, allowing them to move forward without impediment. HR 1526, the No Rogue Rulings act, would bar district court judges from issuing nationwide injunctions, like the actions that have been successful in slowing the Trump administration to date. 5 calls provides a script to use to call your representative and speak out against HR 1526. Please use 5Calls and make a call today!
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Make a call TODAY to save our Libraries
The state budget that is expected to move from the house to the senate includes cuts to libraries. Libraries! Places that are refuges for people during times of extreme weather, that service people of every age and every walk of life, help for small businesses, and support child and adult education. Libraries and their employees are speaking out and asking that we all use our voices against these cuts. Here’s how:
Contact Speaker Matt Huffman
Phone: (614) 466-6344 – try this first!
Email: Rep78@ohiohouse.gov
Contact Form: ohiohouse.gov/members/matt-huffman/contact
Contact Rep Brian Steward (Finance Committee Chair)
Phone: (614) 466-1464
Email: Rep12@ohiohouse.gov
Contact Form: ohiohouse.gov/members/brian-stewart/contact
Find & call your Ohio House Rep:
ohiohouse.gov/members/district-map
Even a short message makes a difference: “Don’t cut my library. Restore library funding!”
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Who Will Tell Your Story?
If you, a relative or a friend has been affected by the Trump-Vance-Musk administration’s actions, please tell Indivisible Central Ohio your story. We’re looking for personal narratives (which can be kept anonymous) to publish in a new initiative: newsletters we’ll deliver to our closest neighbors. If you’d like to share, please either email your story to Colleen Crook at icoccrook@gmail.com or mail it to Indivisible Central Ohio, P.O. Box 82610, Columbus, Ohio 43202. Thank you!
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Ensuring a Fair Shot in the Democratic Primary
Concerned Democrats in Franklin County are planning to send a letter to Franklin County Democratic Party Executive and Central Committee members asking that no endorsements be made for the upcoming open races for Columbus City Council and the Columbus Board of Education. Citing the need to rebuild faith in the party from those who have felt unheard and left behind by the political system, the letter states that one way to rebuild the relationship is to create a “level playing field” and let candidates make their appeals directly to the voters. Please take a look and sign by April 14!
Linktree & “Join us” Interest Form
Take Action this Week: Oppose these Bills at the Ohio Statehouse
OPPOSE the Convention to amend the US Constitution House Joint Resolution 2 (HJR 2) and HB 67
What these bills do:
House Joint Resolution (HJR) 2 applies to Congress for a federal convention of the states and specifies that the convention is limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and members of Congress. The Convention of States site takes you to a page with Trump and the caption, “Only an Article V convention can make his administrative changes permanent.” This continuing resolution would remain in place until the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the states have adopted such resolutions. According to Rep. Willis, one of the cosponsors, for a convention to be called, at least 34 states will need to pass the exact same resolution, and 26 states must approve any proposal for amendments at the convention itself. If approved, those amendments would be distributed to all 50 states; the approval of 38 states will be necessary to enact each proposed amendment in the Constitution. Currently 19 states have passed this and it is under consideration in 20 more.
HB 67 calls for the General Assembly to appoint an odd number of delegates and, since the Republicans control both Houses, it is probable that all the delegates will be Republicans. There is also an Advisory Committee consisting of members of the General Assembly chosen by the Speaker of the House and the Senate President. Delegates are prohibited from voting yes in favor of proposed amendments that alter specific guaranteed liberties including the first ten amendments, and the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, and 26th amendments. This means delegates can vote to change the 22nd Amendment, which limits presidents from serving more than two terms.
What to do to oppose these bills: Contact your House representative and these members of the House Government Oversight Committee:
Thomas Hall, chair – 614-644-5094; rep46@ohiohouse.gov
Ron Ferguson, vice-chair – 614-466-3735; rep96@ohiohouse.gov
Latyna Humphrey, ranking member - 614-466-8010; rep2@ohiohouse.gov
Sample script:
Hello. My name is _______________ and my address is __________. I am calling to ask that [elected official] vote against House Joint Resolution 2 and HB 67, which would support a state convention on the U.S. Constitution and trigger the process for a partisan appointment of delegates. Among other potentially negative outcomes, it could open the door to change presidential term limits by allowing President Trump, who will be 82, to run again. The U.S Constitution as it is currently framed, has served its citizens well over the years and should not be tampered with. Please vote no.
Want to know more? Ohioans need to push back against dangerous convention of states
OPPOSE SB 53 – Regards Civil Actions for Vandalism or Riot Activity Injuries
What this bill does: SB 53 would:
Punish not only individual Ohioans, but also organizations for protests by holding them financially liable for property damage offenses they did not commit;
Shift the burden of proof to the accused, which violates due process, and threatens advocacy groups and community organizers;
Strip local governments of oversight power over law enforcement, which would remove critical checks on police accountability during protests.
What to do: Contact these members of the Senate Judiciary Committee:
Nathan Manning, chair – 614-644-7613; manning@ohiosenate.gov – tell him not to give SB 53 any more hearings!
Paula Hicks-Hudson, ranking member – 614-466-5204; hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov – ask her to help stop SB 53
Sample script:
Hi. My name is _______ and I’m calling from [full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling to urge [elected official] to reject SB 53. This bill is a direct attack on Ohioans’ constitutional rights. It not only punishes individual Ohioans, but also organizations by holding protesters financially liable for property damage offenses they did not commit. SB 53 also shifts the burden of proof onto the accused, which violates due process and threatens advocacy groups and community organizers. Further, it strips local governments of oversight power over law enforcement, which removes critical checks on police accountability during protests. Please do not allow this unpatriotic and anti-American bill to silence dissent. Thanks for your consideration.
Want to know more? Ohio Legislative Service Commission Bill Summary and Ohio bill would add new civil liability for property damaged in protests offer additional insights.
Ideas and Inspirations for You
Why we want you to sign up to hold highway signs! (see sign up link above -- we need you today and tomorrow!)
Upcoming Events (Calendar view)
Thursday, 4/10/2025: Thursday Action Group Meeting, noon-1:30. Consider taking a wee break from protesting to join us for an informal catch-up Zoom meeting. New Indivisible members are welcome; please come and introduce yourselves! We have no fixed agenda this week, but some of the topics we’ll be discussing likely will include: Follow up discussion - Columbus Crossing Borders Zoom presentation on 3/27; Hands Off! protest impressions; State budget and Statehouse bills of interest. Join the Zoom call HERE.
Thursday, 4/10/2025: Columbus City School Board Forum, 5:30-8pm, Clair United Methodist Church - 293 E. Barthman Rd, 43207. LWV Metro Columbus, Columbus Education Justice Coalition and Pint Size Protesters are hosting a forum with CCS School Board candidates! We will have an informal meet & greet session with snacks from 5:30pm-6:00pm. The forum will start at 6:00pm and we anticipate it lasting approx. 2 hours. The forum portion of the event will be livestreamed and also recorded. The livestream will be available directly from the Clair UMC channels.
Friday, 4/11/2025: Waving Towards Freedom! 4:30-6:30, corner of Milton and West North Broadway. Details in the flier above.
Friday, 4/11/25, 6-10 PM: Abortion Forward will be at The Good Market, 424 W. Town St., to talk to the community about the importance of reproductive rights advocacy, and distributing free goodies and safer sex supplies. Volunteer info here.
Saturday, 4/12/2025: Free Press April Second-Saturday Salon – Candidate Town Hall, 5:30-8:30pm, Old First Presbyterian CHurch, 1101 Bryden Ave, Columbus. From the Free Press: “Join us at the Old First Presbyterian Church for an exciting opportunity to meet the candidates running for Columbus City Council! This in-person event will give you a chance to hear directly from the candidates about their platforms and ask them your burning questions. Don't miss this chance to be an informed voter and make your voice heard in the upcoming election. See you there! This event is also the April Free Press Second Saturday Salon, free and open to the public with refreshments. Three sessions timed will follow a global cafe style where the group will discuss three city council work areas: health and human services; housing economic development and employment; and human rights, civil rights, and civic engagement. The event is a peoples’ forum that will allow participants to have direct conversation with District #7 Council candidates.”
Monday, 4/14/2025: The Reality of Project 2025 with Heather Cox Richardson and Rep. Jasmine Crockett - Red Wine & Blue, 7-8pm via Zoom. From Red, Wine & Blue: “Join us on the two-year anniversary of Project 2025’s launch for can’t-miss conversations with two of our favorite BADASS women—historian Heather Cox Richardson and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. This moment isn’t just about understanding the threat—it’s about how we fight back with everything we’ve got. Project 2025 is no longer just a radical plan on paper. Its ideas are already surfacing in Trump’s policies and shaping the agenda of extremist lawmakers. This event will break down exactly how Project 2025 is being implemented—and more importantly, what you can do about it.” Register HERE.
Tuesday, 4/15/2025: Support Protections for Trans People and Immigrants at Whitehall CIty Council, 5:30pm, Whitehall City Hall, 360 S Yearling Rd, Whitehall. Join us to support the passage of resolutions to protect trans people and immigrants. We encourage attendees to speak in support of the resolutions. There will be two opportunities for the public to offer comments at the meeting, limited to 3 minutes, with signup at the meeting. Even if you don’t speak, your presence to fill the chambers and support others will be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday, 4/15/2025: Protect your privacy and civil rights with Ben Tracee at CBC Beer Hall, 7pm, 200 Kelton Ave, Columbus. Come join us at The Siposium where we laugh, play, and learn together through experts. This month we learn the roots of the right to privacy in the United States, how the roots have eroded, what remains of your rights, and what you can do about it. More info and register HERE.
Wednesday, 4/16/2025: Gathering for Good, 4:30-7:30, Mozart’s, 4784 N High St, Columbus. You are invited to an evening of connection, stories and fundraising for CRIS. There will be light refreshments and a cash bar. No ticket or RSVP is required, but feel free to RSVP to the Facebook event where we will continue to post additional info.
Sunday, 4/27/2025: Postcard Party! 6pm, 219 W Dublin Granville Rd. Let’s stand up for democracy while building a community via a postcard writing party. We will supply cards, snacks and drinks. Feel free to bring anything to make the postcards more fun to read with stickers or markers. For those who are able, stamps are appreciated. Register HERE.
Mia for the OHCentral Team
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