Skip to main content

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Public Records, and Activists: How to get the goods from government agencies

Thursday, July 2, 6-8pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Since the Freedom of Information Act [FOIA] was enacted in 1966, it has served as a valuable tool for journalists, activists, academics, and curious members of the public to learn about the inner workings of the U.S. government. However, in many activist milieus, it is still an underutilized means of discovering information that could be helpful to a particular cause or movement.

Columbus City Council Finance Committee Hearing on Demilitarizing Police

Tuesday, June 30, 4pm, this event will be on-line

Columbus City Council President Pro Tem and Finance Committee Chair Elizabeth Brown will conduct a Finance Committee public hearing to discuss changes to the city’s purchasing code affecting the Division of Police’s ability to obtain and utilize certain equipment.

“The presence of officers should never look and feel to residents like we are at war,” said Pro Tem Brown. “In addition to hearing from the division, we need broad engagement by residents across our city to help us sort through these important issues.”

International Solidarity for Black Lives Zoom Call, sponsored by Showing Up For Racial Justice [SURJ]

Friday, June 26, 2pm-3:30pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Do you live outside the U.S. and work for racial justice where you live? Are you white or down for the work of organizing white people for racial justice? Systemic racism is a global pandemic and we at SURJ [Showing Up For Racial Justice] want to connect with white folks around the globe to dismantle white supremacy as part of a world-wide multi-racial movement.

Register for this Zoom call at this link.

“How Big Money Limits People’s Environmental and Democratic Rights,” a community conversation hosted by Move to Amend Central Ohio

Thursday, June 25, 7-8pm, this event will be occurring via Zoom

Central Ohio has a fracking problem and a democracy problem. Because our elected representatives have failed to protect Central Ohio from fracking and its related activities, local citizens have sought to bring the issue to the people through the citizen initiative process. Six years, four campaigns, and several legislative roadblocks later, the citizen-initiative has yet to appear on the ballot where citizens could vote on banning fracking in Columbus.

Green New Deal Town Hall Monthly Meeting

Sunday, June 21, 8-9pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

Join us for a Green New Deal Town Hall on June 21 at 8pm. Special guests include Sunrise Movement (TBA); Cathy Cowan Becker, climate activist in Central Ohio; and Fadhel Kaboub, Associate Professor of Economics, Denison University.

Please join us in continuing forward with our movement. Inspired by and in support of Bernie Sanders, the revolution continues with us!

Register for this event at this link.

Policy Webinar on Addiction, sponsored by Ohio Council of Churches

Thursday, June 18, 12noon-1pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

The Ohio Council of Churches is putting top emphasis on racism this year.

The new leaders, the Rev. Jack Sullivan and the Rev. Brandi Slaughter, have put together a meaningful program of events, including a “lunch and learn” webinar series, “Feeding the Multitude.” This interactive webinar series will be held via Zoom the third Thursday of each month from 12noon to 1pm.

This series aims to do the following.

• Deepen your knowledge on social justice issues

Humanist Community of Central Ohio [HCCO] monthly meeting: “Death with Dignity,” presented by Dr. Diana Spade

Saturday, June 13, 12noon-2:30pm, this event will be occurring via Zoom

Don’t believe in God? You are not alone! Join the Humanist Community of Central Ohio [HCCO], a community that values people, emphasizes reason, and focuses on this world.

This will be a virtual meeting; the Zoom event will begin at 11:30am or earlier with music and a splash screen; the program will begin at 12noon.

Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Communities: A Panel Discussion

Friday, June 12, 12noon-1pm, this on-line event requires advance registration

“The Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Communities” panel discussion will be the second in a series of events on “Cities and Regions in the Post-Coronavirus Era,” initiating community conversations on what lessons we can learn from this crisis to create a more resilient and sustainable world.

What will be the economic implications for communities due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Currently, Ohio unemployment claims top 1 million, what will this mean for our local economy and community going forward?