ICO Newsletter - 9/24/25
Signs of Fascism: Join the crew holding signs of the times
Do any of these look familiar? All of them? It’s terrifying to think we’re free falling deep into fascism and yet so many people all around us are unaware.
Thanks to an idea from longtime-ICO member Karen Adams, we’re getting ready to share these “Signs of Fascism” with the world. Karen saw this short video and organized for us to do something similar. (Definitely worth a watch to see what we have planned!) Karen and other ICO volunteers curated a set of phrases, designed signs, and – with help from your donations – got them printed. Now we have a set of 20 large waterproof signs ready to be deployed to protests and events in our community.
All we need is a crew to hold the signs! You can join our sign-holding roster at THIS LINK. This is just signing up to say you want to be asked if you're available for a particular event -- it's not a promise to attend at any particular time!
Join us on October 18 to say “NO KINGS IN AMERICA!”
Central Ohio has 19 “No Kings” events planned so far. Events are planned from the morning to early afternoon, culminating in a big rally at the Statehouse at 4pm. Locations in red will have registration links soon. Find additional events on this map.
Lancaster: 10am
Reynoldsburg: 10am
Cambridge: 11am
Hilliard: 11am
New Albany: 11am
Sunbury: 11am
London: 11:30am
Delaware: noon
Clintonville: noon
Marion: noon
Newark: noon
Pickerington: noon
Zanesville: Noon
Bexley: 1pm
Mount Vernon: 1pm
Springfield: 1pm
Westerville: 1pm
Grandview: 1:30
Ohio Statehouse: 4PM
An awesome organizing team from Indivisible Central Ohio, 50501, and many local progressive groups is working hard to make sure these events are a success. Part of our plan is for you to attend more than one rally – the one closest to you, maybe another nearby at a different time, and finally the one at the Statehouse.
If that sounds like a lot, here’s an option: do your second or third protest as a drive by! No need to park, walk or hold a sign, just drive by and lean on your horn. Your (noisy) presence will be a tremendous boost to the folks at the rallies. You can even circle the block a few times.
Even better: Join our car caravan crew! Read below to learn all about it.
Join a NO KINGS Car Caravan on October 18!
To make our No Kings events even more amazing, we’re planning one or more car caravans that will visit the different events around Central Ohio, boosting and supporting the activists at the events. We’ll be transforming cars into a mobile platform for visual activism, combining elements of sign-making with creative (non-permanent) decoration.
Let’s make our caravan(s) long and strong, as we spread joy and support! We’lll drive in line formation (as close together as we can safely drive) to NO KINGS protests throughout the day in central Ohio, ending at the Ohio Statehouse around 4pm.
There are lots of ways you can help us make this a success: driving a car; lending a car for someone else to drive; donating materials; decorating cars; being a noise-making passenger in a car or playing an instrument; creating posters or paper mache props; putting together costumes; or helping us brainstorm ideas. Let’s make some noise as we say: NO KINGS IN THE USA! Sign up to say how you’d like to help HERE!
We had a lovely ICO Picnic! See more pictures in this album!
Thanks to Pierre, Alissa, Scott, and everyone who came out!
RALLIES & PROTESTS
Every week there are about a dozen rallies and protests all over central Ohio! You can follow what’s happening in the Events section of our website, indivisible central ohio.org. Also check mobilize.us/indivisiblecentralohio/ for all our Indivisible Central Ohio events.
New and Notable
Featured Weekly Rally: Tuesdays, Support Veterans Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-5:30pm, Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, 420 N James Rd, Columbus. Join us to to protest the cuts to the VA and support veterans! Register HERE.
Weekly rallies
Wednesdays downtown: 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 in 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, next 9/25. Sign up HERE.
Every other week at Grandview Avenue & West 5th, next 10/2. Sign up HERE.
Thursdays in Sunbury: Good Trouble Thursdays, 5-6pm, on the square, Old Sunbury Courthouse, 51 East Cherry St., Sunbury. Look for the dinosaur! Sign up HERE.
Saturdays in Hilliard: Hilliard Pop-Up Protest, 9:30-10:30am, Cross Creek Park
3311 Hilliard Rome Rd, Hilliard, OH. Bring signs and join us!
Saturdays in Clintonville: Weekly Pop-Up Protest, noon to 1PM, North High Street & East North Broadway Street, Columbus.Join us to protest the destruction and degradation of the Trump administration. Register HERE.
Saturdays in Delaware: Protest in Delaware, noon to 1 PM, corner of Sandusky and Williams, Delaware. Let’s protest together and let folks know that we are tired of all the shenanigans.
Saturdays at Easton: Rally to Protest Musk, Oligarchs and the Power Grab! 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! Register HERE.
Tuesdays, Support Veterans Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-5:30pm, Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, 420 N James Rd, Columbus. Join us to
to protest the cuts to the VA and support veterans! Register HERE.
Tuesdays in Worthington: 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.
First and Third Thursdays: Say Something, Rally the Community, 4:30-5:30pm, 349 E Livingston Ave, Columbus. Join no matter what your motivation. The October 2 theme is healthcare costs. Register HERE.
Join the Overpass Army!
More and more highway sign protests are popping up all over Ohio. You too can join the anti-Trump fun! We are at 3 locations weekly, every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. Details, directions and sign up are HERE. We have the signs and flags. You bring the manpower!
We are extremely concerned that the local Sinclair station has chosen not to air Jimmy Kimmel’s show. This doesn’t support the public interest! Over 125 people showed up in the middle of the day yesterday to express their anger and frustration at this threat to free speech in America. Let’s all follow up by calling the Columbus Sinclair-owned affiliate and asking them to join the rest of America and put Jimmy back on the air.
This week’s Actions!
1. OPPOSE SB113 and HB155 that Prohibit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Schools
This is URGENT. It is expected these bills will move very quickly once there are hearings. In the House, HB 155 was introduced in the House on 3/6/25 by sponsor Beth Lear, and has been referred to the House Education Committee. It received a 2nd proponent hearing on 5/20/25. Bill sponsor in the senate: Andrew Brenner. According to the Ohio Federation of Teachers, which opposes these bills, they would sabotage effective, data-driven efforts to improve student performance. More information HERE and HERE.
Email call to action for the House and Senate Education Committee members
Contact these members of the Senate Education Committee directly:
Andrew Brenner, chair - 614-466-8086; brenner@ohiosenate.gov
Louise (Bill) Blessing, vice chair - 614-466-8068; blessing@ohiosenate.gov
Catherine Ingram, ranking member - 614-466-5980; ingram@ohiosenate.gov
Sample Senate script:
Senate Bill 113 defies the core belief that every child should feel welcome and safe in the classroom by banning diversity and inclusion in our public schools. The bill fails to define ”DEI” and does not specify which programs would fall under this acronym, meaning it could impact students and educators with disabilities, students with IEPs, students and families with language barriers, and much more.
Contact these members of the House Education Committee directly and tell them you OPPOSE this bill:
Sarah Fowler Arthur, chair - 614-466-1405; rep99@OhioHouse.gov
Mike Odioso, vice chair - 614-466-8258; rep30@ohiohouse.gov
Phillip Robinson Jr., ranking member – 614-644-6041; rep19@ohiohouse.gov
Sample House script:
Hi. My name is _________ and I’m calling from [provide address if leaving a message]. I’m calling today about House Bill 155. Like its counterpart in the Ohio Senate, HB 155 bans diversity and inclusion, upending the core premise that every child should feel welcome and safe in public schools. According to the Ohio Federation of Teachers, HB 155 would also sabotage effective, data-driven efforts to improve student performance. I urge [elected official] to say NO to HB 155 and SB 113. Thanks for your consideration.
2. CALL/EMAIL HUSTED and MORENO and tell them they will own a shutdown!
Our senators need to know they will OWN the Trump Shutdown if they refuse to work on a bipartisan funding agreement. We need to stand strong at this moment. No blank checks. No healthcare cuts. No more chaos and lawlessness.
Moreno 614-469-2083
Husted 614-369-4925
3. Sign up for a shift to mobilize California voters
With just six weeks left until California voters decide whether to redraw the state’s congressional maps ahead of next year’s midterms, there’s a limited amount of time left to help turn out voters and make sure the ballot measure passes.You can help to turn out California voters by making calls. With multiple shifts a day, 6 days a week, there’s ample opportunity for you to make a difference. Sign up for just one shift, or multiple shifts HERE.
What’s on the Porch this week!
Here’s what’s on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd this week.
TWO different postcards you can write to help retain Supreme Court Justices in Pennsylvania, including the new “cartoon” card.
Cards for local candidate John Gatiss, running for Westerville City Council. These can also be checked out and returned from 151 Central Ave in Westerville.
Million Postcard Project cards: Each month you write three cards – one to each Senator and Representative. Let them know what YOU care about and hope they are working for in Washington DC. Mail your cards on the first of each month.
Check your writing deadlines as most are coming up soon!
ICO Gives Back
Here is an opportunity to join with Moms Demand Action here in the Columbus metro area. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is holding an Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Community Walk on Sunday October 5 at 9am, Alum Creek Beach, 3400 Lewis Center Road, Lewis Center. March with our local Moms Demand Action team to raise awareness and much-needed funds, strongly sending the message that suicide can be prevented, and that no one is alone. Register HERE to walk with the team and/or donate to the AFSP HERE.
Join us in support of the Flourishing Under Distress Given Encouragement Inc. (FUDGE Foundation) dedicated to helping those affected by trauma, including mass shootings, community violence, and domestic abuse.
Upcoming Events (Calendar view)
Wednesday, 9/24/2025: In Person Indivisible Central Ohio Member Meeting, 6:30-8:30pm, 1st Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus. Register HERE.
Friday, 9/26/2025: Your Rights on Campus, 4pm via Zoom. As many return to campus, changes to Ohio Law and attacks on education nationally are creating uncertainty and fear, but we are not powerless. Whether you're a student, faculty, or staff member — we can keep each other safe and keep pushing for our rights! Join us for an important and empowering conversation hosted by Ohio Equal Rights Education Advocates, the Ohio Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild, and the Ohio Student Association. You'll learn about your rights, what’s at stake, and how we can stand up together to protect them. Register HERE.
Sunday, 9/28/2025: Postcard Party! 6-8pm, 219 W Dublin Granville Rd, Worthington, OH. Join us to stand up for democracy while building a community via a postcard writing party. We will supply cards, snacks and drinks. Stamps are always appreciated. Register HERE.
Monday, 9/29/2025: What to Know About the Administration's Threats Against Immigrants' Rights Advocates, via Zoom. In response to the government’s actions against the immigrant community, join us to discuss the laws, scenarios, and guidance on responding to enforcement actions. Register HERE.
Tuesday, 9/30/2025: Knowledge is Power: Politics in Ohio, 6:30-8pm. Endeavor Brewing and Spirits, 909 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH. Join progressive learners working to educate ourselves about the issues facing us in Ohio today. Links to materials to be discussed provided on sign up, but it is not critical to complete before joining. Register HERE.
Friday, 10/10/2025: World Day Against the Death Penalty Co-Victim Panel, 1-3pm, Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad St, Columbus. Ohioans to Stop Executions is partnering with Journey of Hope to host a co-victim panel. This will be a great opportunity to hear from impacted voices and learn more about death penalty repeal efforts. There will be postcards available for attendees to fill out and send to their legislator. RSVP and more information HERE.
Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team
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