ICO Newsletter - 11/05/25

Written By Indivisible OH12

Tonight! 
Join Indivisible Central Ohio this evening at 6pm at the UU Church, 93 W Weisheimer in Columbus for an in person Q&A with David Pepper. Sign up HERE. 

David Pepper is a lawyer, writer, political activist, former elected official and adjunct professor, and served as the Chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party between 2015 and 2021. His book Laboratories of Autocracy breaks down how anti-democratic, extremist behavior in Statehouses across the country is contributing to the breakdown of our democracy. 

This is a great opportunity to ask questions about the path forward for Ohio and the US and think about the most effective way for us to fight back against fascism. No matter whether or not you are a big Pepper fan, this should be a really interesting and productive conversation. Hope to see you there!

Some recent Pepper podcasts (on Spotify):

ICO is Getting the Message Out
Two new billboards have gone up along major commuter throughways targeting rural district 15 and will be up through early December, prime time for ACA sign up. The new map approved by the Ohio Redistricting Commission gives the Billboard group other areas of the state to target next. Want to help support this effort? Donate HERE.

Grow our movement with important yard signs
We’re going to continue to talk about yard signs until we see them everywhere! Yard signs are a great way to let your neighbors know you are part of the fight for justice and to save our democracy. We have two different yard sign projects that are on-going. Please read about each of them below. 

1. Resistance Yard Signs

The signs above were designed by a small team that is part of Indivisible Central Ohio. They have placed orders and expect them to arrive mid-November. Once signs arrive, there will be plenty for everyone! Watch this space. 

If you already ordered, you should be hearing from them directly, or you can contact the team at yardsigns@indivisiblecentralohio.org. 

You can still order signs as well, at this link! There are 3 options to choose from. AND, if you have ideas for signs or want to be involved with this project, please contact the organizers at the email above. 

There is a suggested donation to cover printing costs – but getting them out and into the community is our priority. Perhaps you can make a small donation to cover one sign, but take two & give one to a friend? Anything we can do to make sure we are getting our message across. 

Learn more about this project, how to order, donate, and even get involved HERE!

2. Varied slogan yard signs available on the porch 

We still have a stash of varied yard signs on the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd. Again, getting signs out and 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! (There is a sign on the wall with the Venmo of the person who sent us the signs to help him cover costs. Please just send what you can. No minimum required. There's also a cash donation option.) 

NOTE 1: If you grabbed one of the signs above earlier, it had a typo! A new, corrected version of the sign is available now on the porch. 

NOTE 2: If you have yard signs from campaigns to be recycled, you can find a specially designated dumpster for that purpose at the southeast corner of the Franklin County Board of Elections parking lot. This yard sign recycling asset will be available until the end of November. 

This week’s Actions!

1.OPPOSE SB 63 – Prohibits Use of Ranked Choice Voting; Withhold Funding for Use (URGENT)
SB 63 would generally prohibit the For more information about RCV watch this and  learn more about the ban here. 

SB 63 passed the full Senate on 5/14/25. It has been referred to the House General Government Committee. 

QUICK ACTION: Send an email or sign a petition
Contact your state representative and/or these members of the House General Government Committee:

Sample script: 
My name is _________ and I’m calling from [your address if leaving a message]. Banning ranked choice voting prevents localities from making elections freer and fairer. Ohioans are losing faith in democracy because it limits voter choices and does not require a majority to win. When Ranked Choice Voting is used, candidates can win with support from a majority of voters and rewards more positive, issues-focused campaigning. Local governments should be able to make decisions based on their needs, and not on a voting approach dictated by state government. I urge [elected official] to say no to SB 63. Thanks for your consideration.

2. SUPPORT SB 305/HB 502 – Appropriate Funds for SNAP, TANF, WIC Upon Lapse in Federal Funds (URGENT)
Despite the meager amount pledged by DeWine, people will suffer with the lapse in federal funds. These identical bills would continue to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families programs, and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children contingent upon a lapse in federal funding.

SB 305 was introduced in the Senate on 10/22/25, and has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. HB 502 was introduced in the House on 10/7/25, and has been referred to the House Agriculture Committee.

Contact these members of the Senate Finance Committee to say you support SB 305:

Contact these members of the House Agriculture Committee to say you support HB 502:

Also contact these state officials to voice your concerns:

Sample Call Script:
Hi. My name is ________ and I live [give full address if leaving a message]. Beginning Nov. 1, the federal government is expected to suspend monthly SNAP and WIC benefits, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. This could impact nearly 1.5 million Ohioans who rely on these programs for essential food assistance. SB 305 and HB 50 are companion bills that would appropriate state funds for SNAP, TANF, and WIC if there is a lapse in federal funding. I urge you to support these bills and stand with Ohio families during these challenging times. Thanks for your consideration.

3. SUPPORT HB 29 – Regards Inmates’ Access to Feminine Hygiene Products and Showers
HB 29 would ensure that inmates have access to feminine hygiene products and showers during their menstrual cycle. It would apply to municipal and county correctional facilities as well as state correctional institutions. 

It PASSED the full House, and has been referred to the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee, where it will receive a second proponent hearing on Weds., Nov. 5.

Tell these members of the Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee you SUPPORT HB 29:

Stepping Up to Help Neighbors in Need 
Funding for SNAP benefits ended 10/31 and federal workers are still not receiving paychecks. This is a crisis time for many of our neighbors. ICO is sharing several ways to help. Please step up as much as you can! 

  • 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. We will continue to support MOFC through the end of November. 

  • Volunteer to serve a meal at the YWCA! Sign up at this link. ICO lead volunteers have signed up for Monday 11/24 and Tuesday 11/25. Sign up for those days to join them! (Please email Heather at hslruns@yahoo.com to let her know what day you signed up for.) 

Also: 

  • A Step In the Right Direction is hosting a Thanksgiving meal on Thanksgiving. They are looking for volunteers to serve food, provide food, and also donate hats and gloves. Sign up HERE.  

  • Send $ for gas cards for TSA employees at the Columbus airport who are not receiving paychecks but are required to show up for work. 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. 

Upcoming Events (Calendar view) 

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. 

Wednesday, 11/5/2025: Solidarity in Action: Protect Immigrant Rights, Build Collective Power, 7-8 pm, virtual. Join this Indivisible national ACLU-led training will help allies show up for immigrant communities facing law enforcement encounters. 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: Signs of Fascism Rally, 12-1pm, OSU Oval by the Thompson statue. Sign up HERE for this event. Want to join the SOF crew? Register HERE.

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. 

Monday, 11/10/2025: Signs of Fascism Rally, 12-1pm, Ohio Statehouse on the corner of State and High near the cannon. Want to see pictures of past events, check out this video or this album. For this event sign up HERE. Want to join the SOF crew? 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, including what the heck happened last week in the Ohio Redistricting Commission. We’ll take a look at the bipartisan congressional map that was adopted and talk about what’s next for redistricting advocates 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.

Friday, 11/28/2025: Blackout Billionaires! Feed Families!, 7:30-9:00 am, 1760 Hill Rd N, Pickerington. Join us for a Black Friday protest calling for the boycott of those billionaires and their companies. We are partnering with local food pantries to help feed federal employees' families and those who have lost their SNAP benefits due to the cruel shutdown of our federal government. Register HERE.

NEW AND NOTABLE PROTESTS

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!

PLEASE NOTE: Join the “Signs of Fascism” event that will be part of the OSU Free Speech rally described above! Sign up to hold a sign and spread the word about fascism 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:-5:30pm, 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 
to protest the cuts to the VA and support veterans! Register HERE.

Tuesdays in Worthington: Rush Hour Rally, 4:00-5:00pm, 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 there on Fridays, 4 to 5pm and some Tuesdays. Details, directions and sign up are HERE. We have the signs and flags. You bring the manpower! (Please enjoy this 10-second video of last week's highway sign event!)


Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team

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Find us at our website indivisiblecentralohio.org. Check out our Linktree! Follow us here and on our public and closed Facebook pages to stay current with all our activities. Add our Indivisible Central Ohio Google Calendar so you can follow all our events. You can also follow us on Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, Reddit, and Discord. Get involved by filling out our “Join us” interest form!

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ICO Newsletter - 10/29/25