Opinion

The Ohio Immigrant Alliance is an organization of immigrants and allies working together to build a stronger state, because Ohio is home. We need leaders who understand that debate is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy, and real solutions come from the people, not politicians. The truth is, we know what we need to create healthy communities and a rational immigration policy. Politicians need to listen to us, not the other way around.  

An interview recently with the United Auto Worker’s (UAW) Sean Fain was a time and temperature check on the reform movement in the union that propelled his election several years ago. Before that, the long running efforts of the Teamsters for a Democratic Union (TDU) is known to many and continues to be active. We talked to Ken Paff of the TDU several years ago on Wade’s World and it’s clear the fire still burns.

More than fifty years ago, the reform movement that caught all of our attention was centered on the Mine Workers of America, which, even though declining, was still in the 60s and 70s, a major factor in both the labor movement and the US economy. The Miners for Democracy (MfD) rose in reaction to the assassination of Jock Yablonski and members of his family, a reformer who had lost a contested election unfairly to Tony Boyle. MfD was a rank-and-file effort that consolidated around Arnie Miller, a leader among miners campaigning to get health relief from black lung that was killing many. This was a huge campaign that attracted attention both inside and outside of the labor movement back then, even though not well-known now.

Now in its twelfth year, the Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) 5K & Advocacy Fair is our largest annual event, bringing together hundreds of Central Ohioans in support of refugees and immigrants in our community.

Whether you’re a runner, walker, or a friend of CRIS, we would love for you to join us in downtown Columbus at Genoa Park on Saturday, October 4th, 2025, for a morning of fitness, food, and fun.

The CRIS mission is to help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the Central Ohio community.   

CRIS is an independent non-profit organization that serves the growing refugee and immigrant populations in Central Ohio. Our various programs have dedicated staff members from around the world who speak many different languages. Among other things, we are a refugee resettlement agency, meaning we have a contract with the Department of State to directly receive and place refugees in our community. In partnership with Church World Service, we resettle individuals and families from all over the world.

Turnstile’s singer Brenden Yates singer thanked Columbus for Turnstile’s bassist Franz
Lyons towards the finale of Turnstile’s Kemba live outdoor show.

Turnstile’s set in front of 5,200 people under the heavens started with the embracing ambiance
of Never Enough which thundered once the guitars, and drums kicked in. Kids moshed with a collective exuberance after the introduction pronounced allure of hardcore’s promise.

Turnstile is from Baltimore.
Franz is from Columbus.

I’d watched Turnstile’s last Columbus show in front of a sold-out Kemba indoor show of 2,300 people in 2022. Turnstile doubled their Columbus audience and then some. Kemba’s new attendees included people who knew Franz but weren’t familiar with Turnstile’s music.

LOD Embassy Boardshop Columbus was now accompanied by Cafe Bourbon Street alumni circa 2009, Old Town East skateboarding, and over 5000 thousand teenagers. Walking around Turnstile show was  kinda like Comfest meets Camp Flog.