Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.  Human Rights in Times of Global Crises.  As COVID-19 spreads throughout the Middle East and civil wars continue, already fragile human rights protections are increasingly under threat. COVID-19 puts migrants and minority communities at increasing risk due to structural inequalities, and activist movements are losing crucial visibility and the ability to mobilize and gather in public. Meanwhile, the impacts of the virus expose existing injustices faced by detainees, women, and occupied communities. How are social movements in Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq adapting to changing dynamics as they confront pandemic-related shutdowns and existing internet restrictions? How do inequalities in the region’s legal systems prevent women from exercising personal rights, as domestic violence rates surge worldwide? What are the unique challenges faced by migrant workers, refugees, and IDPs? In countries with ongoing conflicts, what are the prospects for advocating for greater rights for detainees and prisoners of conscience?  More information and registration here. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 1:00 - 2:00 pm.  A Federal Right to Education.  Brom Brown to Rodriguez and What Lies Ahead.  In observance of the 66th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education U.S. Supreme Court ruling, which struck down racial segregation in public schools, the Center for American Progress will be discussing the history of the federal government’s role in providing equal access to high-quality education to all students. This timely event brings together a panel of experts and scholars in the field of education policy and law to discuss their experiences and understanding of the current state of equal educational opportunity in America. An interactive online Q&A session will provide opportunities to ask questions on what is next in ensuring educational equity for all students.  More information and registration here.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 2:00 - 3:30 PM.  OSU Webinar: Democracy During a Pandemic: U.S. Elections and the COVID-19 Crisis.  The COVID-19 pandemic has raised critical questions about how our electoral processes are affected by public health concerns. This interdisciplinary panel brings together three distinguished Ohio State experts to discuss the potential effects of the current crisis on the November elections, and how to prepare for potential problems now. Host: Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability, Center for Ethics and Human Values.  The panelists for this event are: Michael Neblo, director of the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability; Amy Fairchild, dean of the College of Public Health; and Ned Foley, professor in the Moritz College of Law. 

This event is open to the public. For more information, click here and to register, click here.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 2:00 - 3:00 PM.  How COVID-19 Affects Prisons and Justice Reform.  COVID-19 has affected every community in America. The pandemic has had a particularly devastating impact on those living and working in prisons, where close quarters have resulted in a dangerous spread of the disease. Join us online on May 13 for a FREE webinar about the latest news and data regarding COVID-19 cases and deaths in prisons across the nation. Prison Fellowship’s policy team will provide highlights about how states and the federal government are responding through justice reforms, resulting in the release of thousands of incarcerated individuals nationwide. We’ve helped advance many of these reforms—but we can’t let up now.  Register here. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 4:00 - 5:00 PM.  The System:  Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.  Join former U.S. Secretary of Labor Robert Reich for a discussion of The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It.  In his new book, Reich, an Economic Policy Institute (EPI) founder, explores America’s power system that he says is designed to bail out corporations rather than people, even in times of crisis. Corporations and the wealthy few benefit from what he calls a socialism for the rich—in which they hold nearly all of the country’s economic and political power—while everyone else is left to endure the harsh realities of capitalism.  “The coronavirus has starkly revealed what most of us already knew,” he writes. “As power has shifted to large corporations, workers have been left to fend for themselves.”  “The system is rigged,” he adds. “But we can fix it.” EPI President Thea Lee will moderate the discussion about Reich’s book and what life will be like for workers after COVID-19, followed by a Q&A.  Register for the webinar today. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 4:00 - 5:00 PM.  OSU Webinar:  COVID-19 and Election 2020: Change and stability in U.S. electoral politics.  Join the Department of Political Science for a conversation on opportunities for change and stability in the 2020 election. Will President Trump suffer a grim political reckoning, or will Americans rally to their president in a time of crisis? We'll discuss factors like the shrinking number of persuadable voters, the ways that voters might make sense of a novel crisis, and the role economic disruption might place in shaping voters' preference. This event is free and open to the public. For more information and to register click here.

 Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Understanding and Preventing Online Recruitment of Youth Into Hate Movements.  It is reasonable to assume that any child or teenager who is spending hours a day or a week online has been exposed to neo-Nazi or white supremacist propaganda, whether they know it or not. During the global pandemic and quarantine, many youth are spending greater amounts of time online while not in school, and may be dealing with the effects of fear, isolation, loneliness, and even trauma. Knowing this, hate groups see prime targets for recruitment.  This panel will discuss how online recruitment of youth into hate movements operates and suggest some topics of discussion for parents and others who work with youth on this topic. The panel will also be discussing some broader issues related to supporting youth dealing with trauma and depression under the global pandemic, and how families and youth workers can watch for mental health challenges and support youth at this time. Zoom Register here. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2020, 8:00 PM.  COVID19, The Climate Emergency, And The Battle for Our Future. The past few weeks have been a stark reminder that those in power are willing to exchange our future for corporate profit.   Every day that they delay taking action on the Climate Emergency, we’re in more danger. That’s why we’re inviting you to join The Climate Mobilization and the U.S. Climate Emergency Declaration Campaign for an online workshop on Wednesday May 13 where you can: Learn about the relationship between the coronavirus crisis and the Climate Emergency; Join a special online action demanding that Congress stop bailing out fossil fuel companies; And learn how to build power for a Climate Emergency response in your own community. Click here to sign up!