ICO Newsletter - 5/14/25
“Not on Our Watch!” Rally at Bicentennial Park
Cheers for everyone who came out for the rally on Saturday! It was a great event and a lovely day – but we still have a lot of work ahead!
Many thanks to the amazing speakers, musicians, photographers and videographers, the organizing team, the donors who helped us pay for the sound system and city permit, and to our partner, Common Cause Ohio. Thanks also to the Columbus Safety Collective, the SB1 referendum team, and 50501 who joined us at Bicentennial Park!
If you missed the event, here are a few links:
9-minute highlights and full length videos by John and Mishka Griffin, with drone footage from Linas Muliolis (many, many thanks!)
A photo album from Paul Becker
Bottom line: We need massive amounts of people to show up if we want to have a real impact. I hope you will join us for our next big event, “No Kings, Only Queens!” march at Columbus Pride on June 14. We plan to have a float in the parade and are recruiting marchers and more! See info below under “Save the date” plus much more in next week’s newsletter.
PS: Artist/Carpenter Wanted! We’re looking for someone to take charge of building/decorating our “No Kings, Only Queens!” Pride float. If you are artistic and handy and ready for a challenge, please reply to this email!
ICO State Budget Forum: Protect Healthcare & Education
This Saturday, May 17 at 2pm, join Indivisible Central Ohio for a forum focused on the state budget. Republicans have proposed cuts to education, healthcare, & more, so we all need to fight back to help protect Ohio families. RSVP HERE.
We will hear from policy experts and state legislators to learn more about what is currently in the budget and what we can do to stop the cuts!
Our speakers will include:
Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo,
State Rep. Beryl Brown Piccolantonio,
State Rep. Dontavius Jarrells,
State Rep. Anita Somani,
Nick Bates of the Hunger Network in Ohio,
Ana Chapman of Honesty for Ohio Education, and
Kathryn Poe of Policy Matters Ohio.
The forum will be held in the auditorium of the Columbus Main Library, 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus. Please join us for this important event and chance to hear directly from law-makers and policy experts.
Grow our Movement with Door Hangers
Thanks to Ben for this brilliant idea for growing our movement: door hangers with info about ICO to put on friendly neighborhood doors!
How do we know they are friendly? Because of their signs! Pride signs, science signs, Black Lives Matter signs…you get the idea.
There is a box with packs of 20 door hangers on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd, plus a sign out clipboard. Please put your contact info and the area you plan to cover. We will follow up later to make sure you have distributed your door hangers and ask which blocks you covered.
Thank you!
RALLIES & PROTESTS
Every week there are rallies and protests all over central Ohio! You can follow what’s happening in the Events section of our website, indivisible central ohio.org.
Wednesday, 5/14/2025: Weekly Wednesday’s at Bernie’s, 12pm, Bricker Federal Building, 200 N. High Street. Let's hold Moreno accountable to the people and taxpayers of Ohio. His office is on High Street with lots of public visibility! We demand to be seen AND heard - just like his rich donors. More info and register HERE.
5/16 & 5/203/2025: Weekly 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.)
Saturday, 5/17/2025: Weekly Protest in Delaware, noon to 1 PM. Let’s protest together and let folks know that we are tired of all the shenanigans.
Saturday, 5/17/2025: Weekly Tesla Protest! 4:30-5:30 PM, 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!
Tuesday, 5/20/2025: Weekly Rush Hour Rallies, 4:30-5:30pm, now in TWO LOCATIONS. Join our two Rush-Hour Resistance Rallies!
Eastside, Support Veterans: Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, 420 N James Rd, Columbus. Come out to support our veterans! Thousands of cars pass this location during rush hour every weekday afternoon, making this the perfect place to inform people about the crippling cuts that Trump and DOGE are making to our federal government that are harming our veterans specifically. Registration (plus more info about the location & parking) HERE.
Worthington: Join us to deliver our message of resistance to commuters at the intersection of Route 161 and High St. in Worthington. Concerned about proposed cuts to Social Security services? Appalled by the abduction and renditioning of legal immigrants? Outraged by the theft of our private information? Generally dumbfounded by the chaotic combination of evil and incompetence coming from the White House? Make up a sign and let people know! Organized by the Worthington Area Democratic Club and Westerville Progressive Alliance. Signup & parking info HERE.
Your Event Here: Start a Weekly Husted Protest/Rally
We have recurring events for Carey and Moreno, but nothing for Husted. Now that he has finally set up an office in Columbus (but is still not accessible to his constituents), he should get some attention as well. This is a great opportunity for new members to step up! Let us know your idea and we’ll help set things up and spread the word. Reply to this email with ideas!
TAKE ACTION THIS WEEK
1. SUPPORT HB 157 – Enact the Hunger-Free Campus Act
What’s new: HB 157 received a first sponsor hearing on 5/13/25.
What it does: This bipartisan bill requires the Chancellor of Higher Education to establish and administer the “Hunger-Free Campus Grant Program,” and to establish criteria for a state or a private nonprofit college/university in order to earn the Hunger-Free Campus designation. The bill also establishes requirements for the awarding and use of grants, as well as accountability requirements. It would appropriate $625,000 for FY 2026-27 to support this grant program.
What to do (LEVEL – URGENT):
QUICK ACTION: Sign on to a letter urging action.
Tell Senate Finance Chair Jerry Cirino to add the bipartisan Hunger-Free Campus Act into the budget bill – 614-644-7718; cirino@ohiosenate.gov
Ask these Senate Finance Committee members to help get the bipartisan Hunger-Free Campus Act (HB 157) added into the budget bill:
Brian Chavez, vice chair – 614-466-6508; chavez@ohiosenate.gov
Paula Hicks-Hudson, ranking member – 614-466-5204; hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov
Lou Blessing – 614-466-8068; blessing@ohiosenate.gov
Andrew Brenner – 614-466-8086; brenner@ohiosenate.gov
George Lang – 614-466-8072; lang@ohiosenate.gov
Susan Manchester – 614-466-6344; manchester@ohiosenate.gov
Nathan Manning – 614-644-7613; manning@ohiosenate.gov
Sandra O’Brien – 614-466-7182; obrien@ohiosenate.gov
Tom Patton – 614-466-8056; patton@ohiosenate.gov
Mark Romanchuk – 614-466-7505; romanchuk@ohiosenate.gov
Shane Wilkin – 614-466-8156; wilkin@ohiosenate.gov
Ask your state senator to help get the bipartisan Hunger-Free Campus Act (HB 157) added to the budget bill.
Sample script:
Hi. My name is _______ and I’m calling from [your full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling because I understand that students struggling to keep food on the table are more likely to drop out of college and struggle financially for years to come. Research shows that 29% of college students went hungry in 2021, and 34% of students know someone who dropped out because they couldn’t afford food. I’m asking that [elected official] help to rectify this situation by supporting the bipartisan Hunger-Free Campus Act – HB 157 - and by helping to include it in the budget bill. Most jobs require some type of higher education, and hunger should not be a barrier to a student with from following the career and educational path that fits their skills and talents.
2. OPPOSE SB 53 – Regards Civil Actions for Vandalism or Riot Activity Injuries
What it does: SB 53 not only holds the perpetrator accountable for any property damage, but also expands liability to those who provided material support for the protest itself, although the sponsor insists safeguards are in place to protect free speech.
What to do:
Tell these members of the Senate Judiciary Committee you oppose SB 53:
Nathan Manning, chair – 614-644-7613; manning@ohiosenate.gov
Michele Reynolds, vice chair – 614-466-8064; reynolds@ohiosenate.gov
Paula Hicks-Hudson, ranking member – 614-466-5204; hicks-hudson@ohiosenate.gov
Sample calling 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 punishes not only 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.
We are committed to having a positive impact in our local community!
This week we are again asking for donations to Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Trump has cut almost $1 billion in funds available to food banks, including from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a program that buys food from farmers and sends it to food pantries. You can donate directly to the Indivisible Central Ohio donation page at this link, or via the QR code. Remember: “They CUT, we CARE.”
Join the Columbus Safety Collective Effort
At the “Not on Our Watch” rally last Saturday, not only did we take a stand against fascism, we also worked to improve life in our community: we collected 395 signatures for the Columbus Safety Collective (CSC)!
CSC aims to put an issue on the November ballot for City of Columbus residents to establish a division of community crisis response providing 24-service to the city with trained mental health professionals in lieu of the police.
This is a rare opportunity for a win in Ohio! If it gets on the ballot, it is likely to pass. HOWEVER, we truly truly need more petition volunteers to meet the goal of 50,000 signatures by June 30.
Get booklets and training:
ICO Office hours: Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm (except Memorial Day), Global Gallery, 3535 N High St.
CSC Office hours: Thurs, 6-7pm & Sats, 10:30am-noon, Old First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Brydon Road.
Find Places to collect signatures:
More sign ups at this Mobilize link
For info or materials outside of regular office hours contact Jackie Bird (jackieoep@gmail.com) or Cheryl Grossman (cherylrsgrossman@gmail.com).
Get Connected with the Anti-SB1 Signature Campaign!
A huge grassroots effort is underway to get a referendum on the ballot in November to give voters the chance to overturn SB1, the “Ohio Education Destruction Act." Here are some useful links so you can get connected:
Let’s show our grassroots power!
Ideas and Inspirations for You
Upcoming Events (Calendar view)
Thursday, 5/15/2025: Central Ohio AFL-CIO Labor Council Postcard Writing and Sign Making Party, 6-7:30pm, Central Ohio AFL-CIO Labor Council, 4150 E Main St, Columbus. “Labor is under attack! We must remain United in Purpose and United in Action! Come together in Solidarity where we will write thank you notes to federal workers under attack and design posters for upcoming demonstrations. Please register here for food and beverage counts.”
Thursday, 5/15/2025: Moms Demand Action OH-Statewide-Training: Tabling Basics, 7:30pm via Zoom. “We are all in to spread the Moms and Secure Storage messages to our local communities this summer! Join us to learn how you can help with this. "Tabling" is when volunteers staff a table at a community fair or other event and share information about Moms Demand Action and/or secure storage. These are typically short conversations, trying to make a personal connection instead of running down a list of statistics. YOU can do it!” Register HERE.
Saturday, 5/17/2025: Indivisible Central Ohio State Budget Forum: Protect Healthcare & Education, 2-4pm, Columbus Metropolitan Library, 96 S Grant Ave, Columbus, main auditorium. Join us for a forum focused on the state budget. Republicans have proposed cuts to education, healthcare, & more, so we all need to fight back to help protect Ohio families. We will hear from policy experts and state legislators to learn more about what is currently in the budget and what we can do to stop the cuts! Register HERE.
Sunday, 5/18/2025: CRIS Good Neighbor Training, 2-4pm, virtual or in person. The first step to becoming a CRIS volunteer is to attend one of their monthly Good Neighbor Trainings, and the next one is this Sunday. Join virtually or in person at the CRIS Office to learn about what CRIS does and ways to get involved. RSVP HERE.
Sunday, 5/18/2025: Postcard Party! 6:30-8pm, 219 W Dublin Granville Rd, Worthington. 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.
Thursday, 5/29/2025: Indivisible Central Ohio Social Hour, 6-10pm, the Crooked Can, 5354 Center Street Hilliard. Join other Indivisibles for a drink and conversation! Look for our table and people in Indivisible gear! No RSVP needed.
Saturday, 5/31/2025, 15th District Town Hall, 2:30-4:30, Westgate Park, 455 S Westgate Ave, Columbus. The 15th District has been targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as one that is vulnerable. We can affect the makeup of Congress by making our voices heard. Our representative Mike Carey has REFUSED to face his constituents. We've called, we've visited his office, we've emailed, and we have sent him a certified invitation. No response! We are holding a town hall to hear from YOU. We will meet to express our opinions about the votes Mike Carey has taken to cut Social Security, jobs, healthcare, cutting taxes for the very wealthy, and destroying climate initiatives. We've invited previous candidates from the 15th District to share their experiences running for Congress, and ways we can make a difference in our District. Sign up now to hear how we can work together to speak to our Congressional representative. Register for the event HERE.
Saturday, 6/7/2025: Two Moms Demand Action “Wear Orange” events:
Survivors and Supporters Walk for Peace, 10am, Livingston Ave Park, 760 E. Livingston Ave, Columbus. Join survivors and supporters as we remember those taken by gun violence. Let's Wear Orange and walk for peace in our city and nation! RSVP.
B-eazy Day with Remember Us Urban Legends, 4:30 PM, Maloney Park, 1701 Joyce Ave., Columbus. Join Moms Demand Action and our friends for B-Eazy Day. A day of celebration and Family. Live Entertainment, Food, Community Resources and More. Bring a friend, bring the family. RSVP.
Monday, 6/9/2025: Voter Registration and Signature Collection Training for Pride, 7pm via Zoom. Learn the ins and outs of how to register voters in Ohio, plus, learn all about petition circulation so you can help the Columbus Safety Collective team get an important issue on the ballot in November for the City of Columbus. This would establish a non-police emergency response team. The training will be carried out by Zoom, then we will equip you with the materials you need in person. Zoom information will be sent to you after you register.
Saturday, 6/14/2025: “No Kings, Only Queens!” Pride Parade activities.
Indivisible will have a float at Pride! This is a hugely important day of action all across the country as we say “NO KINGS!” on the day Trump is throwing himself a military parade for his birthday. We will have three ways to participate:
March in the parade!
Register voters and collect petition signatures
Join the parade and hold a “No Kings!” sign
More info about all three options at this registration link.
Tuesday, 6/17/2025: How Things Work at the Ohio Statehouse Advocacy Training, 7pm via Zoom. Join the Zoom and learn how a bill becomes a law in Ohio and how YOU can impact state laws and policies! Register HERE.
Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team
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Find us at our website indivisiblecentralohio.org. Check out our Linktree! 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, YouTube, Reddit, and Discord. Get involved by filling out our “Join us” interest form!