ICO Newsletter - 8/20/25
TWO RALLIES TODAY, WEDNESDAY, 8/20!
Governor DeWine: Recall the National Guard! 12-1pm, Veteran’s Plaza, outside the Statehouse on 3rd Street. Join Common Cause, the ACLU and the Ohio Council of Churches for a press briefing where we demand Governor DeWine immediately reverse course and recall the National Guard troops back to Ohio.
If you can’t join us, email Dewine at this link, or call him at any of these numbers: 614-466-3555, 614-644-4357, 937-285-6185. You can also make a call to ask your Reps not to support Trump’s DC takeover – or call the Ohio National Guard to say you would support them if they opted not to deploy! You can reach them at 800-464-8273.
The Future of Education in Ohio, 6-8pm, the Makoy Center, 5462 Center St, Hilliard. Join ICO, Honesty for Ohio Education, Red Wine & Blue, Pint Sized Protestors, 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. Sign on to a Stand up for Public Schools letter HERE.
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.
This Week Only
Friday, 8/22/2025: End the Starvation: Divest from Genocide
11am, Ohio Statehouse, 1 Capitol Sq, Columbus. Emergency statewide press conference and rally demanding an end to US-funded starvation in Gaza and divestment from Israeli companies and private affiliates.
Weekly rallies
Wednesday, 8/20/2025: Wednesday Husted and Moreno Protest, 12-1pm, 200 N High St, Columbus. Senators Bernie Moreno and John Husted are supporting the fascist takeover of our democracy. Let's hold them accountable to the people and taxpayers of Ohio. Their offices are both at 200 N High St, with lots of public visibility! Register 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 8/28. Sign up HERE.
Every other week at Grandview Avenue & West 5th, beginning 8/21. Sign up HERE.
Saturday, 8/23/2025: Protest in Delaware, noon to 1 PM. Let’s protest together and let folks know that we are tired of all the shenanigans.
Saturday, 8/23/2025: 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, 8/26/2025: 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.
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 8/22, 8/29 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!
Fall Voter Registration Underway
We are kicking off our fall voter registration efforts this Sunday 8/24/2025 to coincide with the OSU Student Involvement Fair. We can’t be on campus, but will have locations in the surrounding area. Join us as we go out and talk with potential voters and help them register or update their voter registration. Not trained? No problem, watch this 14 minute video, review the slides, and check your knowledge here. Need supplies? Pick up registration materials on the Freedom Porch (437 Piedmont Rd) and email IndivisibleCentralOhio@gmail.com to request an orange shirt to wear. Sign up for a shift on 8/24/2025!
Special Collection Opportunity for the CSC Effort
As some of you know, the Columbus Safety Collective (CSC) petition effort is now an all-volunteer endeavor (no paid solicitors) and the campaign will continue until January. If we can get it onto the ballot, it likely will win. However, we really need more "boots on the ground" to make sure we get the necessary signatures!
Here’s an opportunity to jump in! Weiland's annual PARTY IN THE PARKING LOT, Saturday, AUGUST 23, 11:30am to 3:30pm. It’s a perfect place to collect signatures from City of Columbus voters!
If you need booklets or have questions, contact Jackie (jackieoep@gmail.com) or Cheryl (cherylrsgrossman@gmail.com).
This week’s Actions!
1. Oppose SB 172
The bill would specify that persons who are unlawfully present in the United States are not “privileged” from arrest. This bill has already passed the Ohio Senate (6/18/2025). It was introduced in the House (6/23/25), but has not yet been referred to a committee. More information in this OCJ article and this analysis.
What can you do now?
Urge your state representative to say NO if this bill comes to the floor.
Sample call script:
Hi. My name is __________, and I live [full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling to ask [elected official] to oppose SB 172. This bill would allow an arrest or detention to happen anywhere in Ohio under any circumstances, regardless of the law that extends a “privilege” from arrest in certain cases. Federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies or officers could arrest people, with or without a warrant, whether for an administrative, civil, or criminal reason. There are very good reasons to allow “privilege” exceptions, especially in certain public spaces. For example, the court has a responsibility to ensure due process, which is hard to do when victims, witnesses, and defendants won’t come to the courthouse to testify and participate in cases because they fear arrest. Trial fairness is jeopardized, which hurts citizens as well as non-citizens. As we have seen recently, undocumented people have good reason to fear showing up in court, since a number of them have been denied due process or have been mistakenly deported or sent to notorious prisons. I urge [elected official] to say NO to SB 172. Thanks for your consideration.
2. Support efforts to demand that Russia return Ukrainian children
At the Alaska Summit with Putin, President Trump handed Putin a letter from Melania Trump in which she requested that Putin think of the children traumatized by war. In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant to Mr Putin, citing child abductions (a low estimate is about 19,000) as a central charge. When Congress returns from its recess, they will vote on S.Res 236/H. Res.564--the resolutions demanding Russia return the abducted children.
Call your congressional representatives and demand they co-sponsor and fast track these resolutions. Make it clear that no peace agreement should be agreed to until every abducted child is returned to Ukraine.
What’s On the Porch?
In addition to three different sets of postcards and the door hangers on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd in Columbus, a new addition this week are the “Free DC” rally signs. These are available for you to take and place in your car, in a window, or display prominently anywhere of your choosing! FYI, the John Gatiss for Westerville City Council cards can now also be checked out and returned from 151 Central Ave in Westerville.
Many thanks to Ana Underman who is organizing the Indivisible Central Ohio reading and learning club, called “Knowledge is Power.” The first three meetings are now live on Mobilize! Please check out, share, and RSVP for events that interest 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)
Thursday, 8/21/2025: Thursday Action Group, 12-1:30pm, virtual (Passcode 668287). Join us for an informal discussion anticipated to cover a variety of topics including (but not limited to): follow-up on past two Zoom meetings about immigrant issues; update on campaign to oust Jim Jordan and upcoming FREE Surviving Ohio State screening on 8/24; redistricting fight; how to keep on keeping on in spite of it all.
Thursday, 8/21/2025: ICO Social Hour, 6-8pm, NAPA Kitchen + Bar, Westerville, 925 State Street, Westerville. Come hang out with other Indivisible members, meet some new folks, talk about what’s going on, and find some ways to get involved.
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.)
Sunday, 8/24/2025: Surviving Ohio State Documentary Screening (free!), 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., 219 W. Dublin Granville Rd., Worthington 43085. Light refreshments and beverages provided by ICO member Molly Grubb-Mora.(May be held outside, weather permitting.) RSVP HERE.
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.
Right after the in-person meeting, we'll be heading to German Village for a short action to protest Mike Carey.
Wednesday 8/27/2025: Carey Doesn't Care Candlelight Vigil, 8:15- 9:15pm, Schiller Park, City Park Ave. just South of Stewart Ave (across the street from his home). Congressman Mike Carey votes to cut Medicaid, SNAP food assistance, ACA insurance subsidies, medical research grants, foreign humanitarian aid, and much more. Ohioans will die. But while Carey meets with bankers and big donors, he won't meet with us. Carey doesn't care. REGISTER HERE.
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: Columbus 50501 Labor Day Rally, 4pm, McFerson Commons Park, 218 West Street. Join this national day of action event and hear from local workers’ rights groups and unions as well as political justice organizations!
Monday, 9/1/2025: ICO Ice Cream Social fundraiser for CRIS, 3-6pm, at Jeni’s Clintonville, 4247 N High St. Help us help CRIS -- Community Refugee and Immigration Services -- by eating ice cream on Labor Day, specifically at the Beechwold location, between 3 and 6pm. 25% of the proceeds will be donated to CRIS. ICO will also be doing voter registration and collecting signatures for the Columbus Safety Collective. Join the fun and do good at the same time.
Thursday, 9/4/2025: Say Something, Rally the Community, 4:30-5:30 PM, Grant & E Livingston Ave, Columbus. Bring your signs, your voice, and a friend and say something about how you are feeling about the current state of affairs in this country. Register HERE.
Sunday, 9/7/2025: Re-set, Voices of a New Columbus, 2:30pm, Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center, 546 Jack Gibbs Boulevard,Columbus. Join us for a youth-led Columbus City School Board & Columbus City Council District 7 Candidate debate, sponsored by Columbus Stand Up.
Wednesday, 9/17/2025: Hunger Network Happy Hour, 4:30-7pm, Thunderwing Brewing, 2419 Scioto Harper Drive, Columbus. Join the Hunger Network in Ohio to Network with others passionate about ending hunger, learn about HNO’s work and how you can support our effort to end hunger in Ohio! (lite refreshments will be provided, alcoholic and alcoholic drinks available for purchase.
Saturday, 9/20/2025: ICO End of Summer Picnic, 5-8pm, Hoover Sailing Club. Join your friends or meet new ones at Indivisible Central Ohio's end of summer picnic! All are welcome to join us at the beautiful Hoover Sailing Club in Westerville.
Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team
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