Behind Bars

A major victory for the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity

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In 2020, following the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, local activists were pressing Columbus City Council to pass policy which would rein in one of the nation’s worst law enforcement agencies when it comes to excessive and unwarranted use of force. (If still in doubt, here’s Free Press editor Bob Fitrakis’s article from 2017.)

A few activists back in 2020 told the Free Press they had been promised by Columbus City Council president Shannon Harding that culture-changing policy would be passed. And some policy was enacted, such as a Civilian Review Board and ending the use of tear gas to disperse peaceful protestors.

But the Ohio Coalition to End Qualified Immunity (OCEQI) believed those measures weren’t enough, and that the only policy that would force serious culture change was ending qualified immunity. The legal doctrine that allows public officials to escape consequences (such as being sued) for unreasonable behavior even when they violate someone’s Constitutional rights.

Reeltime with Richard: Historic tale recounts pope’s abduction of Jewish boy

Two little boys praying

Kidnapped: The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara relates the true story of a young Jewish boy who was taken from his parents so he could be converted to Christianity.

It’s a disturbing tale, but you may also find it a bit confusing unless you know something about Italian history. It also helps if you have a little patience.

Veteran director Marco Bellocchio takes his time unfolding the account of 6-year-old Edgardo Mortara, who is seized from his Bologna home in 1858 after Catholic officials learn he’d been secretly baptized as a baby. According to law, as the local “inquisitor” explains to the parents, he therefore must be raised as a Christian.

The boy’s father and mother, Salomone and Marianna (Fausto Russo Alesi and Barbara Ronchi), are shocked, as they know nothing about the baptism. They beg the official not to take their son, but their pleas only win them a 24-hour reprieve. After that, Edgardo (Enea Sala) is whisked away to Rome and enrolled in a school along with other boys who are training to become Catholic.

Trump Felon

What Has Israel Done for Americans in the Past Week?

The Jewish Virtual Library asserts that “The US-Israel relationship is based on the twin pillars of shared values and shared interests. Given this commonality of interests and beliefs, it should not be surprising that support for Israel is one of the most pronounced and consistent foreign policy values of the American people.” That is, of course, the big lie among the many that constitute the tie that binds the two countries together. The back-up lies, regularly spouted in Congress, are that Israel is a democracy and an ally. It is, of course neither, as it is a Jews-only apartheid regime that has no fixed borders and no reciprocal security arrangements with the US. Israel and its promoters never tell the truth, particularly when they are conning the United States government into providing more money and more weapons, as has been occurring both openly and secretly over the past eight months during the horrific ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians.

Northeast Side Neighborhood Arts Connection

Details about event

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Northern Lights Library Branch,

4093 Cleveland Ave.

Food, music, film premieres, vendors.

1:00 PM to 1:30 PM Greet & Registration Mingle and Meet the Vendors
1:30 PM to 2:30 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks Acknowledgements Certificates given to Artists Premiere of the short film Library Invasion
2:30 PM to 3:45 PM Debra James Tucker Sings Eat, Drink and Mingle Meet the Vendors
3:45 PM to 4:00 PM Closing Remarks

Special thanks to all that made this 12-week art workshop possible and YOU for being with us to celebrate the wonderful artists of the Northeast Side and Columbus.

Flagged In the Boudoir

Statement from Board Member Brandon Simmons insists other Board Members assisted him with disastrous union-busting planning doc

School board

Here is Mr. Simmons statement in its entirety:

“I am writing directly to our community once again to express a sincere apology of what has transpired. I am deeply sorry and ashamed.

I want to provide additional clarity to our community:

I can disclose the following three meetings:

7pm May 9th at the Fawcett Center: with President Christina Vera, Superintendent Dr. Anglea Chapman, Board Member Brandon Simmons. A version of this document dated May 9th is still in existence, Christina Vera and Angela Chapman provided feedback and suggestions that were placed in the document dated May 10th.

3:30 pm May 10th  at CEC Cabinet Room: with President Christina Vera, Superintendent Dr. Chapman, Board Members Jennifer Adair and Brandon Simmons. Additionally, Dr. Anglea Chapman invited staff from the Office of the Superintendent, the Communications Department, and an external participant. Prior to the May 10 meeting, Dr. Chapman distributed the May 9th document to her staff.

The May 14th press conference is a direct result of the document and this meeting. 

Despite biblical death threats, an Ohio city council declines to cancel Pride permit

Boat on sandy beach with Ashtabula Ohio on it

This article first appeared in the Buckeye Flame

An overflow crowd packed the city of Ashtabula’s council chambers on May 20, spilling out into the hallway. 

Despite no official item on the council’s agenda regarding the northeastern Ohio city’s June 15 Pride Festival, residents showed up in large numbers to voice their opinions about the event. 

Prior to the meeting, Ashtabula resident Kelly Lunneberg collected signatures in an attempt to ban anyone under the age of 18 from viewing drag performances, one of the elements of the Pride Festival.

End Veteran Debt and ForgiveCo Unite to Wipe Out Millions in Veteran Debt

New York, New York- May 29, 2024 – In a one-of-a-kind alliance aimed at alleviating the financial burden of unpaid personal debt owed by America’s veterans, Jerry Ashton, founder of the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation End Veteran Debt (EVD), and Craig Antico, co-founder of ForgiveCo (FGVC), a Public Benefit Corporation, have joined forces to see these debts forgiven – in full.

Antico and Ashton, distinguished former executives in the collections industry, earned acclaim in 2014 for co-founding RIP Medical Debt, one of America's most successful charities. Over the past decade, that charity, now known as Undue Medical Debt, has garnered sufficient donations to eliminate billions of dollars in unpayable medical debt, relieving millions of Americans. Having made their mark on the general population, this renewed alliance signifies their commitment to addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by America's returning heroes and their families.

Bringing different skills to the challenge

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