ICO Newsletter - 10/8/25

Written By Indivisible OH12

In Person Candidate Forum Tonight!
When was the last time you went to an in person candidate forum? You have a unique opportunity tonight, Wednesday October 8, to hear Columbus City Council Candidates Tiara Ross and Jesse Vogel discuss their views on the future of Columbus' 7th District. Moderated by Amy Juravich of WOSU's All Sides. Seats are first come first served. 6:30-8pm, 1101 N 4th St, Columbus. Register HERE. 

No Kings is coming up soon! Sign up to attend at least one rally earlier in the day, then head to the Statehouse for the BIG ONE. 
You can find events on the map HERE – nokings.org. Zoom in and then click on the dot to register. Start times for events in Central Ohio are as follows: 

Then, no matter what, come to the 4pm rally at the Statehouse! 

Here’s how you can help make sure 10/18 is the biggest day of protest ever.

1. TEXT TEN FRIENDS WHO DON’T USUALLY GO TO PROTESTS! 
The only way we’re going to make a difference is if we break through to the folks who care but have been sitting on the sidelines. Text and invite as many of your “fence-sitters” as you can! You can offer them the option of supporting a rally by driving past and honking (at any location, for any amount of time), or see if they want to sign up to drive in one of our car caravans! 

2. Post and Share

3. Distribute Flyers & Wear Buttons

  • Full and ¼ sheet flyers are available on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd

  • Print off your own copies of flyers from files in this folder

  • We have a limited supply of buttons on the porch for those willing to wear them daily to promote the event! 

How do you want to attend? You have additional options! 

1. Sign up to be a marshal (in Bexley and/or at the Statehouse)
Help us be eyes and ears at these rallies and make sure everyone stays safe. We will provide training, support, and supplies. Sign up HERE. 

2. Protest while sitting in your car!
You can skip parking, walking and standing by protesting from the comfort of your car! Boost spirits at any or all of these events by driving by, honking and waving. Then circle the block and repeat. 

Plot out your own route between events, or, join one of our car caravans by signing up at this link. Car caravans will have a couple of decorated cars (front and back), then as many additional cars in the middle as we can muster. Ways to participate include:

  • Driving your car in the caravan for a shift or two

  • Being a passenger in a car, waving, making noise

  • Optional extras: having temporary decorations on your car, wearing a costume, playing a trumpet, tying a string of tin cans to the back of your car, your idea here… etc!

  • Note, there are two Sign making/Car decorating parties scheduled for 10/11 & 10/16.

Please join us however works best for you. Sign up HERE!

Indivisible Central Ohio t-shirts available
If you want a shirt to wear to the No Kings rallies (or anywhere else), Indivisible Central Ohio tees will be available from 437 Piedmont Rd at the following times:

  • Friday, 10/10, 12-3pm

  • Sunday, 10/12, 10am-1pm

  • Monday, 10/13, 3-6pm

Shirts are $10 each (cash) and $12 via an online payment. 

This week’s Actions!

1. OPPOSE HB 335 – County Budget Commissions, Property and Sales Tax, Funds
HB 335 would modify the law governing county budget commissions, property taxation, county sales taxation, and alternative apportionment formulas for local government and public library funds. The bill would mostly benefit the wealthy while hurting our communities and local governments. These websites offer additional information:


TODAY! HB 335 will receive a third hearing to discuss a possible amendment in the House Ways and Means Committee, 11:30 a.m., Room 116. Read the proponent (supporter) and opponent testimonies HERE.

What you can do now (URGENT!):
Contact your representative and these members of the House Ways and Means Committee:

Sample call script:
Hi. My name is [name] and I’m calling from [full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling because I’m very concerned about what HB 335 would do to my local community. This bill proposes to cut property taxes and calls it “relief,” but it mostly benefits the wealthy while hurting our communities and local governments. It would wreck the financial stability of local school districts by eliminating more than $1.5 billion in annual school district revenue without offering any way to replace those lost funds. It would require 60% of voters to pass local tax levies instead of a simple majority. That means police, fire, and school levies would be nearly impossible to pass. I urge you to reject HB 335. There is no way to improve this bill that wouldn’t be a huge blow to local schools and first responders.


2. Urge City Council to keep private equity from buying up Columbus homes
Jordan McLaughlin gave a fascinating presentation to ICO members about private equity and the housing crisis in Columbus that shows how the purchase of property by private equity in our community is driving up prices and making home ownership unattainable for many in our community. Jordan has written an ordinance that he would like the City Council to consider. Call Shannon Hardin at 614-645-6354 and urge him to introduce the ordinance!

Sample script:
Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a resident of Columbus. I’m calling to ask Council President Hardin to support Evict Private Equity Columbus and to introduce an ordinance limiting the number of single-family homes that private equity and corporations can own in our city. Private equity doesn’t care about our community. They only care about profit. We need to protect Columbus families and ensure fair, local homeownership opportunities.

3. THREE days of action to say NO to the National Guard in our Communities!
We’re asking everyone to take two simple actions (one call and one email), from home, every day over a three day period. Start your three days of action any day this week! Check HERE for more information about this initiative.

  • Day 1: Contact Ohio National Guard Community Relations Officer Carl Higginbotham (Carl.N.Higginbotham.civ@army.mil and 614-336-7002). Sample text: My name is X and I live in X. Don’t send the Ohio Guard into Ohio cities. We are in this together. Build bridges and communities, not division and walls.

  • Day 2: Contact Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (Fill out this form, choose “Veterans Affairs” from the drop-down menu) and call 614-466-3555. Sample text: I don’t want the military to take over Ohio cities. I want us to build communities and bring people together.

  • Day 3: Contact Ohio's 84th Adjutant General, Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff who commands the Ohio National Guard and is a member of the Governor’s cabinet (ng.oh.oharng.mbx.pao@army.mil [Public Affairs Office ] and 614-336-4499). Sample text: Invading Ohio cities isn’t the job you signed up for. Stay true to your values. Oppose unlawful orders. Be proud of who you are.

New Cards and Letters on the Porch!
We have a whole slew of new cards and letters on the porch at 437 Piedmont! It’s a last minute rush for causes and candidates. Please add some postcarding time to your calendar between now and the end of the month. Here’s what’s available:

  • News Boosting cards are ready to write! Postcards to Swing States targeted Democrat leaning voters in Virginia and has been sending each of them a series of ten cards designed to make sure they are making voting decisions with factual information. Let's help get the last set to the voters! Cards are due back to the postcard box by October 20th for mailing on October 24th. 

  • Vote Forward Letters to California! Help write letters to Democratic-leaning voters in California ahead of the special election to counter the congress-busting gerrymandering implemented by Texas. 

  • Local candidate cards will be available on the porch as well. These cards are important to write because making sure we have local officials who will serve our own communities with integrity makes all of our lives better. Keep your eyes on facebook for updates about new cards, or email Michelle at mlerner5@gmail.com to find out what we have. Some candidate cards we are expecting: 

  • Hilary Damaser for Washington Township Trustee. She works as an Assistant Attorney General and has represented the Ohio Fire Marshal for the past 24 years. She would be only the second woman to ever serve as a trustee.

  • Tiffany DeSilva for re-election to Dublin School Board. As the only incumbent running, her experience will be a great asset as we elect two new additional members to the board.

  • Maria Ramirez for Worthington City Council. 

If you have postcards checked out, please make sure to get them back by the upcoming deadlines! 

Got cards to write but don’t want to do it alone? Here are a few postcard party options for you:

Donate
Drastic and retroactive funding cuts have forced the Kaleidoscope Youth Center (KYC) to close their housing program that serves and supports LGBTQIA+ youth (more here). Indivisible Central Ohio is stepping in and stepping up to raise funds to help support the affected young people as KYC’s housing program winds down. This is an emergency situation! We have already met our goal of $1,000, but we can do more!. Your contribution at any level is much appreciated. Donate HERE.

Volunteer
YWCA Columbus is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Volunteers provide essential support to families by providing meals to residents 365 days a year. We rely 100% on the community to provide dinner for our families each evening. Volunteer HERE to serve, host, or sponsor a meal. Other volunteer opportunities are available HERE.

Upcoming Events (Calendar view) 

Wednesday, 10/8/2025: Fair Districts October Volunteer Huddle, 6pm, via Zoom. Join Fair Districts coalition leaders for an update on all things redistricting in Ohio as well as across the US. Register HERE. 

Saturday, 10/11/2025: Sign and Car Decorating Party, 12-3pm, SimplyArt Studios, 1285 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights. Join us to make signs for the 10/18 No Kings rallies, and/or to help us create banners and other decorations for cars in our Car Caravans! We will have some art supplies, but feel free to bring more. Can’t make this time? Join us on 10/16 from 3-6pm, same location! Register for either time HERE.

Sunday, 10/12/2025: In person Postcard Party, 11am-1pm, 437 Piedmont Rd. Bring cards you have already checked out, or pick up cards when you get here. Feel free to bring a sack lunch or snack to share! Register HERE. 

Sunday, 10/12/2025: Rise Up and Sing Together, 7-8:30pm, location available on registration. Join us to harness the power of singing together to build community. We invite you and anyone passionate about freedom, justice, and community to join members of Indivisible Central Ohio in song. Register HERE.

Tuesday, 10/14/2025: Postcard Party, 11am-12:30pm, UA Library, 2800 Tremont Rd, Room B, Columbus. Join Upper Arlington Progressive Action to write postcards in support of local candidates or express your opinions to our elected officials.

Thursday 10/16/2025: Sign and Car Decorating Party, 3-6pm, SimplyArt Studios, 1285 Grandview Ave, Grandview Heights. Join us to make signs for the 10/18 No Kings rallies, and/or to help us create banners and other decorations for cars in our Car Caravans! We will have some art supplies, but feel free to bring more. Register HERE.

Thursday, 10/16/2025: Posterboard, Markers, and Rulers! 6-730pm, Pickerington Main Library, 201 Opportunity Way. Come and make signs for the No Kings rally. We will have on hand some posterboard, markers, and a yardstick. Feel free to bring supplies of your very own. NO GLITTER, PLEASE.

Friday, 10/17/2025: Bill Cohen’s annual “Spirit of the ‘60’s Coffeehouse,” 7:30pm, King Avenue Methodist Church, 299 W. King at Neil in Columbus 43201. Bill Cohen and friends will lead a candlelit, musical, year-by-year journey through the era, with live and familiar 1960’s folksongs and more. Proceeds from the suggested $15 donations (at the door) will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Free parking is also available in the lots just South and West of the church.

Sunday, 10/19/2025: Postcard Party, 6-8pm, 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. Register HERE. 

Mondays, 10/20/2025 and 10/27/2025: End Gun Violence Community Walk, 6pm, Northern Lights Shopping Center, 3569 Cleveland Ave, Columbus. Join local Moms Demand Action members to galvanize the residents to help stop gun violence and share the resources that organizations have to help the community. Register for each date individually.

Tuesday, 10/21/2025: Testifying Tuesdays!, 6-8pm, La Matraca Mexican Grill & Cantina, 5000 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester. Join the Southeast Progressives of Franklin County for a social/political dinner, where we write to legislators or voters, or plot and plan more events, about issues we care about! Register HERE.

Wednesday, 10/22/2025: Indivisible Central Ohio In Person Member Meeting, 6:30-8pm, 1st Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus. Join other members of Indivisible Central Ohio to discuss current actions and activities and hear from you about your ideas for new actions! Register HERE. This will be the final in person meeting of 2025!

Tuesday, 10/28/2025: ICO Social Hour, 6-8pm, Nocterra Audubon, 516 Maier Pl, Columbus. Come hang out with Indivisible friends and fellow activists. Look out for the folks in Indivisible tshirts! 

Wednesday, 10/29/2025: Knowledge is Power: Poverty in Ohio, 6:30-8pm, Zaftig Brewing, 909 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH. Join progressive learners working to discuss POVERTY IN AMERICA. Links to materials to be discussed provided on sign up, but it is not critical to complete before joining. Register HERE. 

Thursday, 11/5/2025: David Pepper Live Q&A, 6-8pm, 1st Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W Weisheimer Rd, Columbus. Join ICO in welcoming David Pepper, author of Laboratories of Autocracy and Saving Democracy for an evening of questions and answers.

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! 

WEEKLY 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. 

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. (This week the rally will feature the Signs of Fascism. Sign up to hold a sign 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 10/9. Sign up HERE. 

  • Every other week at Grandview Avenue & West 5th, next 10/16. 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. (This week the rally will feature the Signs of Fascism. Sign up to hold a sign 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: Fight Oligarchy- Rally Outside Easton Tesla, 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. (This week the rally will feature the Signs of Fascism. Sign up to hold a sign 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.


Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team

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ICO Newsletter - 10/1/25