Celebrating our 55th year, the Columbus Free Press will honor five outstanding community activists and a community organization at our November 2025 Salon and Awards event on Saturday, November 8 from 1:30-4:30pm at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. One honoree for the Free Press 2025 Outstanding Community Activist is Paul Becker. Facebook Event.

Paul Becker is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Dayton, where his research focuses on political extremism and violence, and activism in the 21st century.

Beginning with Occupy Columbus he has photographed over 550 protests, marches, rallies, and vigils. Most of these were in Central Ohio, but he has also documented activism in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Detroit, and other cities.

He lives in Central Ohio with his wife, Cathy, an environmental activist, and their two cats.

The Free Press event is free and open to the public. Also honored will be: Bob Krasen, Lezlie Combs, Julialynne Walker,  Jawhara Qutiefan and Heer to Serve. The event is free and light refreshments will be available.