ICO Newsletter - 8/13/25

Written By Indivisible OH12

Hats Off to Hands Along High Street
We did a thing on Saturday – it was special! Were you there? Worthington to the Short North, this is what we brought:

Sincere thanks to the segment captains, the organizers from Westerville Progressive Alliance, Indivisible Central Ohio, Common Cause Ohio, Ohio Progressive Action Leaders (OPAL), to our 2-woman media team, to all central Ohio progressive groups that recruited their members, and to all the volunteers, passers by, and supportive drivers honking us happy all up and down High Street! Thanks also to the employees at stores, restaurants and good samaritans up and down the street who gave us water and good cheer. It takes a village to take a stand against authoritarianism, cruelty and chaos – and the village came together. 

John and Mishka Griffin made fabulous highlight videos for the ICO YouTube channel:

Here are a couple of news clips:

 

Here are a few comments from segment captains: 

  • Dave Wyatt: “It lifted my spirits to see so many different people come out for a shared purpose.”

  • Sara Sampson: “The amount of support we received from folks driving by was amazing.  We are not alone.”

  • Carole Strawn: “I'm 80 and this was my first protest.  It was an amazing experience.  All the cars with people waving and honking.  I got a middle finger salute from one young blonde but it just made me laugh. It was a wonderful time.”

  • Dave Bezaire: “Walking up and down Segment 4, I talked to most of our 137 participants. It was incredible to hear and feel the raw enthusiasm and excitement coupled with the constant horn honking. Many of these energized people told me they want to stay involved. Yay!”

 

Michelle Lerner had this to say: 

  • Driving down High Street on Saturday afternoon – seeing it lined with friends, neighbors, strangers, and family – brought tears to my eyes. I have attended a lot of protests, gatherings, and info sessions over the last decade, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen anything quite like the Hands Along High event. The event reminded me there will always be people that care about our community and our country, and are fighting to make it better for all. Even in the worst of times, I know there are people – complete strangers! – who we can count on to continue to show up and make a difference. It helped me feel a little less alone in the world and I hope it helped others to feel that way too. What an amazing way to draw attention to ICO and welcome people to get involved.  

 

Pledge to Take Action

Hands Along High Street was a great way to show just how many people are still standing strong against the cruelty and corruption of the Trump regime. But—as successful as the day was—we want to name the fact that coming together and holding signs is just a first step. Whether or not you were with us on Saturday, we hope you will pledge to take an action this week – one of the actions suggested in this newsletter or something else. Make some calls using the 5Calls app; call your Ohio representatives; write cards for a candidate; donate or volunteer to support folks in need in the central Ohio region. You will find suggestions for all of these actions below!

ICO You Tube is Flying High
Speaking of the ICO YouTube channel – thanks to the outstanding work of Mishka and John and many of YOU, our ICO YouTube account now has more than 550 followers, enough to fill a jumbo jet! Let’s continue to grow the channel! If you aren’t already FOLLOWING our account, please go HERE and sign up to follow and like. 

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.

TODAY!!

Wednesday, 8/13/2025: Tell Congressman Carey to Represent Constituents, Not Banks, 11:45am-12:45pm, Stelzer Rd & Worth Ave, Columbus. Congressman Mike Carey will be speaking at the Ohio Bankers League Summer East Regional Meeting at Easton. However, Congressman Carey still has not held a public townhall and is stonewalling meeting requests from constituents. Join us as we assemble outside the event at the intersection of Worth Avenue and Stelzer Road to remind Carey that he should be representing constituents, not banks. Bring your signs and help us hold Carey accountable. Register. 


Weekly rallies

Saturday, 8/16/2025: Protest in Delaware, noon to 1 PM. Let’s protest together and let folks know that we are tired of all the shenanigans.

Saturday, 816/2025: Tesla Protest! 4:30-5:30 PM, Easton Tesla Dealership. Join the weekly Tesla Takedown protest! Even driving by and giving us a supportive honk is appreciated! 

Tuesday, 8/19/2025: Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-5:30pm, intersection of Route 161 and High St., Worthington. Join us to deliver our message of resistance to commuters. Organized by the Worthington Area Democratic Club and Westerville Progressive Alliance. Signup & parking info HERE.

Thursdays: Grandview Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-6pm, alternating sites, Grandview Heights. Join us in standing up for our future and protesting the Trump administration’s reckless economic policies that put profit over people. 

  • Every other week at Grandview Avenue & U.S. RT 33, beginning 8/14. Sign up HERE.

  • Every other week at Grandview Avenue & West 5th, beginning 8/21. Sign up HERE. 

Join the Overpass Army!
A fun and easy entry to anti-Trump activism is to join our crew as we hold signs over the highways. Upcoming dates are 8/15, 8/19, 8/22 and more – all 4:30-6pm. Details, directions and sign up are HERE. Bookmark that location as we add dates every week. We have the signs and flags. You bring the manpower!

This week’s Actions!

1. Stop the Veto # 67 - Library budget veto override (from Rachel Coyle)
Statehouse Republicans tried to sneak language into Ohio’s budget bill that would force libraries to hide books. The language requires public libraries to hide all materials “related to sexual orientation or gender identity/expression” from kids and teens under age 18. To learn more use Command-F or Control-F search for LIBCD5 in this document. Governor De Wine overrode this line item in the budget. 

PROBLEMS WITH THIS BUDGET LANGUAGE:

  • The cost and staff hours required to analyze every book that enters every library every day would be unsustainable.

  • Smaller library branches may not have the physical space to follow this requirement. In other states with similar requirements, libraries have been forced to close or become “adults-only.”

  • The language is written so broadly that basically ANY book could be included in its requirements. (Heterosexual/straight is a sexual orientation; kissing is related to your sexual orientation AND your gender expression; basically, any book containing any romantic interest and/or romantic relationship would need to be hidden under this purposefully-broad law

  • THIS BUDGET LANGUAGE IS ALSO LIKELY UNCONSTITUTIONAL


Tell your state representatives and senators to respect Ohioans’ First Amendment rights. Tell them NOT TO OVERRIDE the governor’s budget veto impacting libraries (veto #67).

DRAFT SCRIPT:

Hello. My name is [NAME], and I am a voter in your district. My zip code is [ZIP CODE].
I heard some legislators are thinking of overriding the governor’s veto to force more public libraries to hide books. I hope that’s not true.

OPTION 1: I respect our United States Constitution, which clearly protects public access to information and a wide range of perspectives. Why would any Republican vote against our First Amendment rights, even if they disagree with the content of some books? Aren’t Republicans supposed to support intellectual diversity?

OPTION 2: I have been deeply disturbed by how often State Rep Gary Click has been [tweeting/talking] about children’s genitals. Why is that his focus? It’s very [creepy/strange/weird]. I know he’s the main person pushing for this override. Please don’t listen to him. No one else wants more restrictions on our beloved libraries. No one wants our librarians spending all their time figuring out which books to hide. [IF APPLICABLE, ADD A SENTENCE ABOUT HOW YOU USE YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY]

*Please do NOT override that governor’s library budget veto. It was a good, common sense veto that supports our libraries and saves our tax dollars from being wasted on nonsense.
* Does [LEGISLATOR] promise to vote NO on the library budget veto override if it comes up?
* I will be sharing your responses with my networks and urging more people to call you. Thank you.

2. From Indivisible National: Epstein Cover-up toolkit
Use their Epstein cover-up toolkit to call out Trump and MAGA Republicans for trying to bury Epstein evidence. Congressional Republicans fled DC early to avoid voting on the Epstein files, but Indivisible is keeping pressure on during August recess. The toolkit includes call scripts, pressure tactics, and social media tools to demand a vote as soon as Congress returns.

3. Sign up to collect signatures for the Columbus Safety Collective! 
Big THANK YOU the “Global Gallery Gals” who have been working so hard on this. Thanks to Sara Sampson, Susan Dlouhy, Tam Dalrymple, and Lisa Oldendorp.  Yes, you can still help to collect these signatures! Find out more HERE. Updated FAQ HERE.
  
Get booklets and training: 

  • ICO Office hours: Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm, Global Gallery, 3535 N High St.

  • CSC Office hours for August: Tues 6-7 pm & Sun 10:30am-Noon, Old First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Brydon Road.


Find places to collect signatures 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)

GATTIS FOR WESTERVILLE cards are here!


John Gatiss, one of the founding members of Indivisible Central Ohio, has thrown his hat into the ring and is running for Westerville City Council. You can pick up packs of postcards to write for his campaign on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd. “John is committed to working for affordable housing, curbing the rising cost of utilities, and local investments in renewable energies. He also believes in government transparency and making sure everyone has an opportunity be heard.” Let’s support John and his bid for Westerville City Council!

VIRGINIA POSTCARDS ALERT! 
If you picked up postcards to Virginia from the porch at 437 Piedmont, please return them TODAY so we can stamp and mail them by the specified mail date. Thank you! 

ICO Gives Back: Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

Donate!
This month, ICO is highlighting one of our partners, Community Development For All People, located in Columbus' south side, at 497 Parsons Avenue. Run by the Methodist church, it has excellent outreach into an under-resourced neighborhood community, including assisting the unhoused. Donations HERE.

Volunteer!
Columbus Food Rescue can use your help! Rescuers are essential in diverting good food from going to waste and delivering it where it’s needed most. Volunteer sign-ups are done in this app, with the schedule of available rescues there. Volunteer FAQs can be found here. In addition to rescuing food, there are opportunities in Ro’s Kitchen, where food donated by the greater Columbus community is transformed into healthy, fresh, and tasty meals. There are also opportunities with the Veggie Van Pop-Up Markets. So many opportunities to have an impact in the community! 

Upcoming Events (Calendar view) 

Wednesday, 8/13/2025: Tell Congressman Carey to Represent Constituents, Not Banks, 11:45am-12:45pm, Stelzer Rd & Worth Ave, Columbus. Congressman Mike Carey will be speaking at the Ohio Bankers League Summer East Regional Meeting at Easton – but he won’t meet with his constituents! Join us as we assemble outside the event to remind Carey that he should be representing constituents, not banks. Bring your signs and help us hold Carey accountable. Register. 

Wednesday, 8/13/2025: One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism, 8-9:30pm. The No Kings team has organized a national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design. Join this training event HERE.
 

Friday, 8/15/2025: Waving Towards the Future on West North Broadway (WTF on WNB), 5-7pm, Corner of Milton and W. North Broadway. Join your neighbors for protest, resist, and protect. Bring a friend, a beverage, and a costume, if desired. Bring a sign or make one there.

Saturday, 8/16/2025: MCDC Annual Dinner, 6:00 pm, IBEW Hall, 5805 Frazeysburg Rd., Nashport. We have guest speakers (Dr. Amy Acton, Elliot Forham, Laura Sirot, Jason Adams). Dinner catered by our chef, Al Zakany! Tickets are $30 each. Payable by cash or check at the door, or HERE.

Sunday, 8/17/2025: Rise Up and Sing Together, 7-8:30pm. Join us in the power of singing together to build community. Whether you sing, play an instrument, or just love the idea of connecting with like-minded people through music, we welcome you. The location is in Clintonville and will be shown once you register. 

Tuesday, 8/19/2025: Support the Passage of a Nondiscrimination ordinance and Conversion Therapy Ban in Whitehall, 6:30pm, City of Whitehall, 360 S Yearling Rd, Whitehall. Join us at the Whitehall City Council meeting to show your support for passage of a nondiscrimination ordinance and conversion therapy ban. Help us fill the room with supporters. There also will be two opportunities for public comments in support of the ordinance. The agenda meeting starts at 6:30 pm, with the voting meeting starting at 7 pm. The ordinance has already had its first and second readings, so it is scheduled for a final vote at this meeting.

Tuesday, 8/19/2025: Testifying Tuesdays with Southwest Progressives of Franklin County, 6-8pm, La Matraca Mexican Grill & Cantina, 5000 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester. Join us for a monthly social/political dinner, where we write to legislators or voters, or plot and plan more events, about issues we care about! Register HERE. 

Wednesday, 8/20/2025: The Future of Education in Ohio, 6-8pm, the Makoy Center,5462 Center St, Hilliard. Join ICO, Honesty for Ohio Education, Red Wine & Blue, and Ohioans Against Extremism to protest at a “Future of Education” event headlined by Vivek Ramaswamy. Vivek and the others on the panel have no positive vision for education in Ohio. Sign up for the event – whether you attend or are mysteriously unable and need to leave your tickets unused is up to you. We will have activities nearby from 5-7pm. Registration and more details HERE.

Saturday, 8/23/2025: A Town Hall without Rep. Troy Balderson, 2-4pm, Mount Vernon (Address sent upon registration). Knox Co OH Indivisible is hosting a Town Hall. Representative Troy Balderson, OH-12, was invited to speak at our Town Hall, but he declined. Imagine that! Speakers include Glouster-native Jerrad Christian, former Team Rubicon President Ken Harbaugh  and Marine Corps veteran Mason Blankenship. Register HERE.

Sunday, 8/24/2025: Postcard Party! 4-6pm [NOTE THE NEW TIME!], 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. Register HERE. (Note, the earlier time for this postcard party is because at 6:30 the host will be showing a screening of the HBP documentary, Surviving Ohio State.)

Wednesday, 8/27/2025: ICO In Person Member Meeting, 6:30-8pm, First UU CHurch, 93 West Weisheimer Rd, Columbus. Join other members of Indivisible Central Ohio for an in person member meeting. We will discuss current actions and activities and hear from you about your ideas for new actions. The meeting will also include a work session to make progress on our plans and projects! Register HERE. 

Wednesday, 8/27/2025: Save the date – “Carey Doesn’t Care”, a candlelight vigil at Schiller Park in front of Congressman Mike Carey’s home, 8:15-9:15pm (right after the in-person meeting). This is an opportunity to remind Congressman Carey of what his non-caring has cost all of us: Medicaid, SNAP, ACA insurance subsidies, medical research grants, due process, etc.  He will meet with bankers and big donors, but he does not care about his constituents.

Sunday, 8/31/2025: Concert for a Meaningful Labor Day, 4-5:30pm, Columbus Mennonite Church, 35 Oakland Park Avenue. Put some meaning back into the Labor Day holiday this year by singing the praises of all the workers who make our lives richer by doing their everyday jobs. Join Bill Cohen, PhilHart and Teresa Schleifer as they sing songs made famous by a wide variety of artists. $15 per person donation. 

Monday, 9/1/2025: ICO Ice Cream Social fundraiser for CRIS, 3-6pm, at Jeni’s Clintonville, 4247 N High St. 

Sunday, 9/7/2025: Re-set, Voices of a New Columbus, 2:30pm, Join us for a youth-led Columbus City School Board & Columbus City Council District 7 Candidate debate, sponsored by Columbus Stand Up. 


Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team

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ICO Newsletter - 8/6/25