Action Alerts

At the Ohio Statehouse December 17, a gathering of Pro-Palestine advocates demonstrated against the codifying of the IHRA (International Holocaust Reembrance Alliance) definitions in the Ohio Revised Code. The IHRA definition states that to criticize the State of Israel for its actions in the genocidal murdering of over 45,000 people or its decades of apartheid, is an act of anti-semitism. 

Late last night we learned that President Biden will commute the death sentences of 37 of the 40 men currently on federal death row. This is a huge success, and we congratulate everyone who has had a hand in accomplishing this unprecedented task.  

Please urge Gov. Mike DeWine to veto a new provision that will make Ohio less transparent by enabling additional costs to public records requests to law enforcement.

A change in open government and public records was snuck into House Bill 315. They have added language to House Bill 315 that says body cam footage and dash cam footage can only be provided by a police department after charging the public $75 per hour (with a cap of $750) for the agency to “retrieve, download, review, redact, seek legal advice regarding, and produce the video record.”

Take Action Before Gov. DeWine Signs the Bill

WE NEED YOU!

How will families understand police incidents? How will reporters get access to footage? How can they hide transparency behind a costly payment scheme?

TAKE ACTION | Call Governor DeWine: (614)-466-3555

Use the script below:

Saturday December 21 at 7 pm
First Unitarian Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road, Columbus 43214

On the darkest day of the year when daylight will be at its lowest ebb, join me and my musical friends for an uplifting concert that looks ahead to the new year, its emerging sunlight, and its potential for joy and progress.

I’ll sing popular songs from the 1940’s, 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and beyond that represent our hopes, dreams, and prayers for 2025. They’ll be songs that symbolize positive values of peace, community, gratitude, love, courage, justice, friendship, activism, and struggle. These are songs linked to a wide variety of folks –- Mama Cass, Pete Seeger, the Byrds, the Beatles, James Taylor, Carol King, Bob Dylan, Louis Armstrong, and Judy Garland.

Fellow musicians Joanne Blum and Joe Lambert will add beautiful vocal harmonies, and Ann Fisher will add soothing counterpoints with her flute.

The reflective evening will also feature wise sayings about darkness and light. And the concert in the darkened sanctuary will be bathed in the glow of dozens of candles. Expect a couple fun surprises too.

Congress appears ready to include much-needed disaster recovery aid for Hurricane Helene survivors in a government funding bill on the floor this week. But according to reports we heard this afternoon, House Speaker Mike Johnson is considering delaying the disaster aid until next year, due to pressure from billionaire Elon Musk and some Republican lawmakers. 

Survivors of Helene don't have time for political games in DC! Some people affected by the hurricane still don’t have adequate housing or heat, and devastating economic impacts continue to ripple through the area. Federal action now could help save many devastated Appalachian communities from total collapse.

We need your help IN TWO WAYS tonight to remind Congress that Appalachian communities need disaster aid NOW.

Please contact your legislators, either by email or making a call and leaving a message on their switchboard.

In a bold yet peaceful demonstration of civic engagement, a group of determined Ohioans gathered Tuesday in the Rotunda of the Ohio Statehouse to take action against the proposed amendment to H.B. 315. This amendment, which incorporates the controversial IHRA definition of antisemitism, has sparked widespread concern over its potential impact on free speech and the First Amendment.

The sit-in was carefully planned as a way to both garner media attention and directly address legislators. Sitting in a circle beneath the grand dome of the Statehouse, participants passed out call scripts and worked together to make phone calls and write emails to their representatives. This unique form of advocacy transformed the Rotunda into a hub of collective action, with citizens uniting their voices in the very space where decisions are made.

As representatives walked by, participants continued to make calls and send emails, ensuring their presence and concerns were impossible to ignore. This wasn’t just a call for attention—it was a clear message to lawmakers: “We’re here, we’re engaged, and we demand to be heard.”

On Saturday, December 21st, as the winter solstice brings us the darkest day of the year, a special event will light up hearts and minds with music, reflection, and community spirit. Hosted at the First Unitarian Church (93 W. Weisheimer Rd., Columbus) at 7:00 PM, From the Darkness to the Light is an uplifting concert in the spirit of Simply Living’s values of connection, peace, and sustainability.

This is a press release from Smart Elections, published on Substack and elsewhere- editor.

This is a press release from Smart Elections, published on Substack and elsewhere- editor.

A parole was held for Leonard Peltier on June 10, 2024, where he was denied parole once again. At 80 years old, Leonard’s health continues to deteriorate and he deserves to spend the rest of his life in dignity, in his homelands.  The countdown to Biden’s last day in office is on–we need you to join us in taking action and demanding Executive Clemency now! 

Together with a broad coalition of organizations representing millions of people across the country, we’re asking President Biden to recognize that enough is enough and finally grant Leonard Peltier his freedom.

EMAIL THE WHITE HOUSE

Write a message electronically in support of Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier at comments@whitehouse.gov

CALL THE WHITE HOUSE​

Leave a message at the number below, using the script provided as a guide: (202)456-1111

EMAIL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

Write a message electronically in support of Executive Clemency for Leonard Peltier.