ICO Newsletter - 10/29/25
Don’t forget to vote!
It may be an “off year” but there’s nothing off about making sure to elect the city council and school board candidates who will work to do right by your community and your values. Don’t sleep on those school and other levies either!
Last Chance to Early Vote!
Wednesday to Sunday is your last chance to early vote! Check the graphic above for hours (including Saturday and Sunday) and remember there’s no early vote on Monday.
Polls are open 6:30am to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, November 4. Make sure you have an UNEXPIRED ID. Find your polling location.
If you have time before election day, consider reaching out to the campaign of a candidate you like and see how you can help with last minute canvassing, lit drops, or poll standing!
It’s “Where’s the Map?” week at the Ohio Statehouse
This Friday, October 31, is the deadline for the Ohio Redistricting Commission to propose and adopt a bipartisan Congressional map. So far there’s absolutely NO sign that they will even pretend to try. (Perhaps by the time you’re reading this newsletter they will at least have called a hearing or two!)
The refusal to put forward a map for consideration is the reason many advocates are heading to the Statehouse wearing purple “Where’s the Map?” t-shirts. You can join them! The more advocates at the Statehouse the better. Join the “Where is the Map?” crew HERE, and sign up for a shift at the Statehouse today or tomorrow HERE. (More slots will be added for future dates if the Commission doesn't pass a map this week.)
Honestly, just show up if you can! Meet Wednesday (today) at 1:20pm in the rotunda. Look for the others in purple shirts!
Speak Up 24/7/365
Now is not the time to be silent. We can speak up about our values and in defense of US democracy and the things we care about that are under attack. We have two yard sign projects that are on-going. Please read about each of them below.
1. Resistance Yard Signs
These signs are still available to order. Show your neighbors and friends where you stand! Start conversations. Build a highly visible, unified resistance and stand up against minority rule and authoritarianism. Order signs for your yard, windows, or to use at rallies. There are 3 options to choose from.
We are placing a large order, and plenty of signs will be available! There is a suggested minimum donation to cover printing costs – but getting them out and into the community is our priority. You will be notified when your signs are available for pickup at a Clintonville location. We may be able to deliver if you are unable to pick up.
Learn more about this project, how to order, donate, and even get involved!
Order your signs now!
NOTE: If you have already placed an order, you will be hearing from the organizers soon with an ETA on when the signs will arrive.
2. Varied slogan yard signs available on the porch
We still have a large stash of varied yard signs on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd. When you get there, you will see a sign with his Venmo! He is requesting donations to cover the cost of printing more signs to distribute. (There is also a cash jar there to cover our initial investment.) Again, getting signs out and about into the community is more important than the amount you can chip in. If you want to take multiple signs to distribute to friends and family, please do!
This week’s Actions!
1. OPPOSE Sub. HB 309 – Budget Commissions, Property Tax, and Certain Funds
HB 309 would give more power to county budget commissions. A substitute bill was added that allows a county budget commission to reduce millage on any voter-approved tax levy aside from a debt levy. More from The Ohio Capital Journal. The substitute version of the bill was passed by the full House on 10/8/25 and has been referred to the Senate Local Government Committee.
Contact these members of the Senate Local Government Committee:
Sandra O’Brien, chair – 614-466-7182; obrien@ohiosenate.gov
Theresa Gavarone, vice chair – 614-466-8060; gavarone@ohiosenate.gov
Kent Smith, ranking member – 614-466-4857; smith@ohiosenate.gov
Sample Script:
Hi. My name is [your name] and I live [your full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling to say that Ohio does NOT support HB 309 or any bill that does not acknowledge that the state caused our property tax issues by giving billions in tax giveaways to the rich. The state needs to take on some of the burden of fixing this problem. Thanks for your consideration.
2. OPPOSE HB 485 – The Baby Olivia Act
This bill would require public schools to include human growth and development instruction in health education as early as 3rd grade. HB 285 received a second proponent hearing (invited testimony only!) on Tues., Oct. 28. Check out this article from The Ohio Capital Journal.
Take a QUICK ACTION HERE
Contact these members of the House Education Committee:
Sarah Fowler Arthur, chair - 614-466-1405; rep99@OhioHouse.gov
Mike Odioso, vice chair - 614-466-8258; rep30@ohiohouse.gov
Sean Brennan, ranking member – 614-466-3485; rep14@ohiohouse.gov
Sample script:
Hi – My name is [______] and I live at [your address] I’m calling to urge you to oppose House Bill 485, known as the "Baby Olivia Act." This bill would require public schools to show a video on fetal development, beginning in third grade. This AI-generated video is scientifically inaccurate and promotes an anti-abortion agenda. This is not appropriate and has no place in our schools. This complex and sensitive material is an extreme overreach into classrooms, and many students do not have the context or maturity needed to process it. Even more concerning, the bill currently does not allow parents to opt-out, so families can’t decide what is right for their children. Ohio students deserve age-appropriate, evidence-based instruction without political influence. Please vote NO on HB 485. Thanks for your consideration.
3. Virginia Phone Banks
From Indivisible national: Virginia is gearing up for a high-stakes gubernatorial election on November 4, 2025, and we are throwing our all behind it. We have a goal of making one million dials, so we're hosting phonebanks weekly to support Democrats up and down the ballot in Virginia. Anyone can join these phonebanks -- and we need as much help as we can get to push us to victory.
We'll make calls starting October 27 through October 30 (times vary) and from 9:30am ET/6:30am PT - 8:00pm ET/5pm PT on Saturday and Sunday next week. Sign up HERE.
Thank you to all the letter and postcard writers! We appreciate all the work you have done throughout the year, and all the stamps you have donated. Time for a short but well-deserved rest!
Stepping Up to Help Neighbors in Need
Funding for SNAP benefits are scheduled to end 10/31. ICO recognizes the potential humanitarian crisis of millions of people being without access to food. Now is the time for all of us to step up to help our neighbors! Please consider making a donation to one of these organizations.
Mid-Ohio Food Collective: cash donations (to our own ICO link) are most wanted as they have buying power in bulk and can provide more food for people.
Clintonville Beechwold Community Resources Center, providing meals directly to people in need.
Due to the government shutdown, there are 330 TSA employees at the Columbus airport who are not receiving paychecks despite being required to show up for work. We have a connection with TSA management at the airport and have organized to support employees with gas cards so they can get to work. So far we have managed to purchase 30 $20 cards. Contact Megan Thomas at megangthomas@outlook.com to arrange to drop off gas cards, or send her cash for cards to her Venmo, @MeganThomas424, or Zelle megangthomas@outlook.com.
Finally, we would like to ask people to consider more informal supports by joining your local community's Buy Nothing/Pay Nothing Facebook sites and Moms helping Moms groups and offer to be a "Grocery Buddy." Example post: "Give: we are able to give a "grocery buddy" the month of November. We'd love to provide groceries throughout the month including anything you would need for Thanksgiving to a family who needs the help. Feel free to message me privately if it's you or you know someone who could use."cross our region
Upcoming Events (Calendar view)
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.
Wednesday, 10/29/2025: Love America Rally with Heather Cox Richardson, 7:30-8:30pm. Join Red, Wine & Blue and historian and author Heather Cox Richardson as we talk about how Americans can take back patriotism in this moment–including by voting and getting our friends to vote in the elections happening nationwide on Tuesday, November 4th. Each of us has the power to spark change in our communities, and this is a celebration of what we can do when we join together! Register HERE.
Thursday, 10/30/2025: Thursday Action Group, 12-1:30pm, via Zoom, passcode 668287. Join us as we welcome Chris Anderson who will discuss ranked choice voting. More information HERE.
Tuesday, 11/4/2025: VOTE!, 6:30am-7:30pm, locations vary.
Wednesday, 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. Register HERE.
Thursday, 11/6/2025: The New Wild West: The Oil and Gas Industry’s Push for Carbon Capture and Storage in Ohio, 6pm, Online. Join Fieldnotes, Buckeye Environmental Network, and the Ohio River Valley Institute for a webinar and Q&A on the oil & gas industry’s push to fast-track carbon capture and storage development in Ohio. We’ll cover carbon management basics, shed light on the industry’s closed-door legislative influence, and explain what’s at stake for Ohioans.
Friday, 11/7/2025: Join OSU Students to Stand for Free Speech, noon, at the Thompson Statue on the Oval. OSU students’ free speech rights are under attack, and they need your support! The Ted Carter administration and the Board of Trustees are capitulating to the demands in Trump’s authoritarian compact and over-complying to the disastrous Senate Bill 1, stripping students of their identity centers and avenues of expression. Activists have been silenced, students have been disenrolled, and the threat of politically-motivated University retaliation hangs over both students and faculty. This is why we need you! On 11/7, an action will be held at the Thompson Statue on the Oval. Students call on the community to show their support for those targeted by administrative action, and to fight for students’ right to free speech on campus. Tell OSU to reject Trump’s ultimatum and to stand up for all Buckeyes!
Sunday, 11/9/2025: Rise Up and Sing Together, 7-8:30pm, location provided on registration. If you are passionate about freedom, justice, and community, join members of Indivisible Central Ohio in song! Whether you sing, play an instrument, or just love the idea of connecting with like-minded people through music, you are welcome. Register HERE.
Wednesday, 11/12/2025: Fair Districts All Volunteer Huddle, 6PM, virtual. Join Fair Districts coalition leaders for an update on all things redistricting in Ohio. Register HERE.
Tuesday, 11/18/2025: Testifying Tuesdays, 6-8pm, La Matraca Mexican Grill & Cantina, 5000 Gender Rd, Canal Winchester. Join Southeast Progressives of Franklin County for a monthly social/political dinner where we write to legislators or voters, or plot and plan more events. Register HERE.
NEW AND NOTABLE PROTESTS
Friday, 10/31/2025: Stop the Cruelty, noon, 675 Brooksedge Blvd, Westerville. Join us as we protest at this ICE facility. Signs provided. Park at Kroger at 55 West Schrock Road (about ½ mile walk from here to the ICE facility).
Sunday, 11/2/2025: Tell Home Depot: ICE Out!, 3-4 pm, 100 S Grener Ave Rd, Columbus. Join us in a day of action and make your voice heard as we hold a rally in front of Home Depot in honor of all the workers who have been kidnapped by ICE on Home Depot properties. Register HERE.
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.
Thursdays in Grandview: Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-6pm, Grandview Avenue & West 5th, Grandview Heights. Join us in standing up for our future and protesting the Trump administration’s reckless economic policies that put profit over people. 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: 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.
Tuesdays, Support Veterans Rush Hour Rally, 4:30-5:30pm, Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center, 420 N James Rd, Columbus. Join us 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.
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!
Special note: This Friday the highway crew is doing a costume dance party on the 71 footbridge. They’d love to see you there!
Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team
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