Did you miss the June Free Press Second Saturday Cyber-Salon?
If so, here's a run-down of what happened and how you can be involved next time!
Last Saturday, June 13, was the Second Saturday Cyber-Salon with the Columbus Free Press, held over Zoom, covered some of the history of police abuse of Columbus citizens, as covered by the Free Press since 1970. Then the discussion turned to what happened at the most recent Justice for George Floyd, anti-police brutality protests in Columbus. Jorge Anthony talked about being maced twice, tear gassed, and shot by rubber bullets. Some efforts to reform or revolutionalize the city's use of police were brought up -- an effort to eliminate police from K-12 schools was covered by Julia Allwein and there was a lively and slightly contentious conversation about defunding the police. Bob Fitrakis, Free Press Editor talked about past campaigns to get a civilian review board over the Columbus Police. We heard from Darryl Mendelson and Bill Kurzenberger about the upcoming virtual Comfest - June 26, 27 & 28. Then Tammy Fournier Alsaada from the People’s Justice Project joined us to talk about her experiences at the protests recently and her history of working to stop racism and bring about change in the system.
You can view the recording of the Salon on our Free Press Network YouTube channel:
June Cyber-Salon
Don’t forget to check out this year’s Virtual Comfest!
Virtual ComFest 2020, Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, this event will be on-line
Links to topics in discussion:
Rise up song by Andra Day
Jorge Anthony’s eye wounds from making - see photo below
Charles Traylor – WVKO 92.9 Front Street radio show
Campaign to get cops out of schools
WGRN-The Other Side of the News interview with Kanyinsola Oye and Julia Allwein on their effort to get police out of city schools
Petition to remove police from city schools:
Please Sign Here. More info and support sign-up here.
Read, sign and join to help this student-led coalition get police officers out of Columbus City Schools. Read: “Columbus City Schools to reevaluate police resource officers”
Columbus Police Department out of Columbus City Schools
Defund the Police campaigns
Defund the Police resource guide from SURJ
Black Lives Matter #DefundThePolice
How Defund and Disband Became the Demands
Other pertinent links:
Recall Ginther campaign
#RecallGinther Launch Rally June 27
Where to sign the Recall Ginther petition (must be in-person) - see below article
Important information from Standing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ):
Protest Aftercare Fund
Fundraising link and more info here
The Protest After Care fund is a mutual aid designed to provide financial relief to Black protestors amidst recent direct actions across the country. Black organizers and activists across the country have sacrificed their time and safety for the purposes of Black liberation even to the extent of exposing themselves to COVID-19 for the betterment of the collective. The funds are designed to assist with any medical expenses or hardships related to contracting COVID-19 as a result of protest participation.
EVENTS
White People Confronting Racism: Workshop & Webinar
Tuesday, June 23rd 5:00pm-7:00pm Details and registration here
Dismantling white supremacy and racism requires white folks to do the hard work of looking inward, as well as showing up to the work of collective action and liberation. Please join SURJ Ohio for a 2-hr workshop on the work of white folks confronting racism and white supremacy - in ourselves and the everyday institutions and operations of our country. We'll deepen our collective analysis and skills, while also providing concrete and accountable ways for you to take meaningful action - for now and the long-haul.
Int'l Solidarity 4 Black Lives Call
Friday, June 26th 2:00pm-3:30pm Register here
Do you live outside the US 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 want to connect with white folks around the globe to dismantle white supremacy as part of a world wide multi-racial movement.
International March for Black Lives
Saturday, June 27, 6-8pm
Columbus City Hall, 90 W. Broad St.
Join the Columbus African Council, The African, APNET-Columbus, People's Justice Project, and other community organizations as the international community join in solidarity for Black Lives.
#InternationalCommunity
#BlackLivesMatter
1000 Days in Sanctuary: Drive-By to Support Edith
Sunday, June 28th 12:00pm-2:00pm
June 28th marks Edith's 1,000 days in sanctuary. Come show Edith your support! We are hoping that 1,000 people will drive, bike, or walk to Columbus Mennonite Church to say hello to Edith (staying safely socially distanced). We'll be selling cloth masks hand-made by Edith and t-shirts in both adult and children's sizes with the winning designs from the t-shirt design contest in the church parking lot. Buy a t-shirt, mask, and/or donate to help us reach our goal of fundraising at least $1,000 for Edith's ongoing legal and personal expenses.
Inhale/Exhale - Capoeira with Luz Emma Cañas
Tuesday, June 30th 7:00pm-8:30pm Register here
In this workshop, participants will learn of the origins of Capoeira and it's rich history of colonial resistance. Participants will learn basic movement and how to apply those movements in self defense.
Abolish Policing, Not Just the Police
Thursday, July 2nd, 8:00-9:30pm Register here
A discussion on abolishing the police and policing with Mariame Kaba, Maya Schenwar, and Victoria Law. Join abolitionist organizer Mariame Kaba and journalists Maya Schenwar and Victoria Law, authors of the forthcoming book Prison By Any Other Name for a discussion of the urgent need to use this moment for transformative change.
RESOURCES (toolkits, manifestos, statements, demands, etc.)
SURJ Defund the Police Resource Guide
SURJ Toolkit: Calling People In About "Violence"
On the Road With Abolition: Assessing Our Steps Along the Way
A BQIC STATEMENT on organizers helping police march with Columbus protestors.
CFC’s official statement on recent protests
SURJ Statement on Monday's Protest in Downtown columbus
ARTICLES (information, news, interviews, podcasts, etc.)
SURJ’s Call to White People: Withdraw your Consent: Defund the Police
White People with Disabilities — We Must Show Up for Black Lives
New protests raise voices of LGBTQ community, mothers
Amid protests for racial justice, Juneteenth gets new renown
Columbus City Schools To Reevaluate Police Resource Officers
A Columbus Fund Received Thousands To Bail Out Protesters. Who Are They?
Abolition Isn't Only About Police
Sex Workers Have Never Counted on Cops. Let’s Learn From Their Safety Tactics
Yes, We Mean Literally Abolish the Police
Ruth Wilson Gilmore Makes the Case for Abolition
ORGANIZATIONS TO FOLLOW/SUPPORT
Black Queer Intersectional Collective (BQIC)
People's Justice Project (PJP)
Columbus Freedom Coalition (CFC)
Juvenile Justice Coalition (JJC)
Email us (surjcolumbusoh@gmail.com
Hope to see you at the next one!
Pete Johnson
President, Columbus Institute for contemporary Journalism
Contact: 614-253-2571
colsfreepress@gmail.com
