ICO Newsletter - 11/19/25

Written By Indivisible OH12

Vote with your Wallet
You may have heard some chatter on the internet about an upcoming economic boycott. These things are hard to organize and don’t work for everyone. But we wanted to give you the basic information and leave you with the idea that – for folks who have the means/option/flexibility – a boycott is an important way to have an impact. We encourage you to “Vote with your wallet” whenever you can.

There are several groups out there encouraging people not to shop between November 27th and December 1st. Take a look at We Ain’t Buying It! Here’s what they say about the corporations they’re targeting: 

“This action is taking direct aim at Target, for caving to this administration’s biased attacks on DEI; Home Depot, for allowing and colluding with ICE to kidnap our neighbors on their properties; and Amazon, for funding this administration to secure their own corporate tax cuts.” 

To this list we would add Starbucks, which continues to try to bust unions and generally enforce abysmal labor practices across the country. Other groups add AT&T and Airbnb to the boycott list. It’s up to you, but the point is to be targeted. 

Even if the impact is not immediate, voting with our wallets can and does make a difference. We encourage you to support local, especially during the “We ain’t buying it” days, 11/27-12/1. 

More Resistance Yard Signs Available 
Thanks to everyone who has picked up Resistance Yard Signs from the porch at 437 Piedmont Rd. If you haven’t picked up any signs yet, please stop by! Even if you did not pre-order, there are plenty of signs. You can donate if you like, but most important is getting these deployed as far and wide as possible. Once we have distributed these signs, we’ll start work on the next batch, with new slogans. 

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

Lights Out AEP 
Here’s an article about the “Lights Out” effort spearheaded by Columbus Stand Up. The goal is to tell the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) to reject AEP’s requested rate hike. You can take action in a variety of ways.

  1. Sign the petition.

  2. Sign up to testify at one of PUCO’s public hearings, Wednesday, Dec 4, 6pm, or Monday, Dec 9, 11am. Details in the link. 

  3. Phonebank or canvass with the LightsOut team: 

  4. Parsons Canvass: Sunday, Nov 23 2-5pm, 

  5. Hilltop Canvass: Sunday, Nov 30 2-5pm.

  6. Phonebank Dec 3 at 6pm or  Dec 8 at 4pm.

Let’s send a clear message: Central Ohioans are done paying more for less. It’s time to say lights out on AEP.

Jackie Bird Receives the Chrys Gee Activist Award
This past Saturday, Jackie Bird received the Chrys Gee Activist award at the My Project USA gala dinner. See (above left) the wonderful group of Indivisible members who attended the dinner to honor Jackie, and (below right) Jackie with Chrys’ husband Craig, her daughters Ester and Evelyn, and My Project USA founder and executive director Zerqa Abid. Congrats to Jackie and to Zerqa!

Channeling your courage to move from complicity to noncooperation
Trump’s authoritarian regime is held up by pillars of society (eg, business, labor, faith, education, civil service, military/police) and these pillars have been complicit in the madness. In response, Indivisible National is forming Courage Collectives, groups of everyday people with a common interest, experience, or background who will work together to organize noncooperation against the Trump regime. Have an idea for how you can work with your peers in one of those groups to push back on Trump’s authoritarian power-grab? Form a Courage Collective HERE. You will get organizing tips, resources, and support to get your group off the ground.

This week’s Actions!

1. LAST CHANCE TO FLIP A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT FROM RED TO BLUE in 2025
Aftyn Behn, a social worker, state House Representative, and former Indivisible organizer, is running in a special election on 12/2/2025 to flip Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. She's running to feed kids, fix roads, and fund hospitals, exactly the type of fighter TN-07 deserves and a voice we desperately need in Congress. Want to help? Join a phone bank HERE or support with a split donation between Aftyn and Indivisible HERE.

2. OPPOSE HB 42 – Require Certain Agencies To Collect and Report Citizenship Data
HB 42 would require certain agencies (including public schools) to collect and report data concerning the citizenship or immigration status of persons with whom they come into contact. For more information see this analysis and this article. HB 42 received a third opponent/interested party hearing on 11/18/25.


QUICK ACTION: Send emails to representatives here. 
Tell these members of the House Government Oversight Committee you OPPOSE this bill:

Sample call script: 
Hi. My name is _____________ and I live at [give full address if leaving a message]. I’m contacting you to urge you to stop House Bill 42 from moving forward. This bill would require all public schools to collect and report student information to the federal government. It is a misguided attempt to help federal immigration officials deport more children and families. HB 42 isn’t about helping schools. It’s a political move that puts vulnerable students in harm’s way. It breaks the trust between families and schools, risks student safety, and could hurt children from all backgrounds. Ohio’s kids deserve safe classrooms rather than surveillance and fear.


3. OPPOSE HB 172 – Prohibit Mental Health Service to Minors without Parental Consent
According to Equality Ohio, HB 172 strips access to temporary mental health services for young people between the ages of 14 to 18 who are experiencing abuse or crisis. Current law allows minors between the ages of 14 and 18 to receive six mental healthcare sessions without parental consent. This bill doesn’t just target LGBTQ+ youth, but prevents ALL young people from working with a counselor without immediate parental involvement. HB 172 will receive a third opponent/interested party hearing on Weds., Nov. 19, 10 a.m., Room 121.

Contact these members of the House Health Committee:

Sample call script:
Hi. My name is [your name] and I live [your full address if leaving a message]. I’m calling to ask you to oppose House Bill 172, which would take away access to temporary mental health services for young people who are in crisis or experiencing abuse. Not only does it target LGBTQ+ kids, but it prevents ALL young people from working with a counselor without the immediate involvement of their parents. Right now, the law allows minors between the ages of 14 and 18 to receive six mental health services without parental consent. This bill would take that away. Child abusers would be happy with HB 172. I hope you will vote to protect the mental health of Ohio’s children and stop this bill from passing in the Health Committee.
 

Holiday Season Giving 
There is so much need in the community, so many organizations urgently needing support, and so many ways to help – it can be more than a little overwhelming trying to decide where to donate and volunteer. We'll share a targeted list of vetted organizations and projects with you each week. Please step up as much as you can! 

  • Gifts for our Refugee Family. Remember the refugee family of 10 from Congo that a team from ICO adopted last year? They are doing well, working, going to school, learning English – and struggling financially as would be expected for any large family working minimum wage jobs. Amber Decker has put together an Amazon wishlist with holiday gifts for the whole family. Check it out, HERE. In addition to the gifts in the registry, we could also use Venmo donations (@amberdecker7 last 4 of phone number 9813) to buy gifts/gift cards outside of amazon, especially for the parents and young adults! If someone would prefer to buy these items elsewhere or have other questions, please email Amber at amberdecker7@gmail.com. 

  • 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. 

  • St. Stephen’s Community House. Join ICO friends as we volunteer again at the “Christmas Cares, Unions Share” Holiday Food Distribution Event on Sunday, December 21. Sign up HERE. ONLY 6 volunteer slots still available! 

  • Contribute to the Fund for Immigration Legal Assistance. Read more at the link. 

  • The Community Development for All People “2025 Christmas Shop” is looking for volunteers. Reach out to Sam Alexander, salexander@4llpeople.net. 

Thank you for your extraordinary generosity! 

Eat too much at Thanksgiving? Volunteer and get moving 
Join Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) on Friday, November 29, from 10am-12pm, 240 West Oakland Ave to help with the surge in litter we see during the holiday gifting consumerism season. Wear closed-toe shoes and weather appropriate clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty! More information HERE.

Upcoming Events (Calendar view) 

Wednesday, 11/19/2025: Friends of CRIS Thanksgiving, 6-8pm (Drop-in), CRIS office, 4645 Executive Drive.Join us while CRIS staff and those CRIS serves show their appreciation to CRIS volunteers and community partners at a casual gathering (oh and delicious food from around the world). Register HERE.

Thursday, 11/20/2025: Let's Get Smarter Constitution Study Group, 6:00 - 7:30 pm, at Democratic HQ, 146 Muskingum Ave., Zanesville. For more info, contact Jeanie Coates at 740-319-0278 or jcoates674@gmail.com.

Thursday, 11/20/2025: We Choose Workers Over Billionaires this Holiday Season, 8-9 pm, virtual. Join this call to learn how to use your power to stand in solidarity and take on Starbucks, AT&T, Airbnb, Target, Home Depot and Amazon, companies that have complied in advance, are actively supporting the administration, and are exploiting their workers and denying them their rights. 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 nature of our federal government. Register HERE.

Sunday, 12/7/2025: Postcard-Writing: ICE Out of Home Depot, 3:30-5pm, Whetstone Library, 3909 N High St, Columbus. Join us to write postcards to Central Ohio Home Depot store managers and to Home Depot corporate leaders demanding an end to their complicity. Register HERE.

Thursday, 12/4/2025: Knowledge is Power, 6:30-8:30 pm, location and materials to review available on registration. The topic for December is Christian Nationalism. Register HERE. 

This Highway Signs crew is a happy gathering! 

NEW AND NOTABLE PROTESTS

NEW AND NOTABLE PROTESTS

Our final Say Something, Rally the Community event, Thursday, Nov 20, 4:30-5:30pm, 349 E Livingston Ave, Columbus. Join no matter what your motivation. Register HERE. 

Stop the Cruelty protest against ICE, Friday, 11/21/2025 from 12-1 pm at 675 Brooksedge Blvd in Westerville. Signs that say “Stop the Cruelty” are provided. This is a silent protest and we request that folks not engage with any hecklers or with ICE agents. Parking is at Kroger, 55 West Schrock Rd. The walk is about a third of a mile. 

WEEKLY RALLIES & PROTESTS
Find protest 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, outside the offices of Senators Bernie Moreno & Jon Husted. Register HERE. 

Thursdays in Grandview: Rush Hour Rally, 4:-5:30pm, Grandview Avenue & West 5th, Grandview Heights. 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. Register HERE. 

Saturdays in Delaware: Protest in Delaware, noon to 1 PM, corner of Sandusky and Williams, Delaware. 

Saturdays at Easton: Fight Oligarchy- Rally Outside Easton Tesla, 4:00-5:00 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, 4:00-5:00pm, intersection of Route 161 and High St., Worthington. Signup & parking info HERE.

Join the Overpass Army! 
You too can join the anti-Trump fun! We are on the overpass on Fridays, 4:00 to 5pm. Details, directions and sign up are HERE. We have the signs and flags. You bring the manpower!


Mia & Linda for the Indivisible Central Ohio Team

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ICO Newsletter - 11/12/25