Indivisible OH12 says again, Black Lives Matter!

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Black Lives Matter. We thank everyone who has been out in the streets standing up against racism and police violence, or supporting from home. Is it too much to hope that the senseless and brutal murder of George Floyd will bring real change to America? It feels like change might finally be possible. Let's keep pushing. Find a list of protests in the area in our Facebook group HERE. The list is updated regularly. Please comment with additional protests you want to be added.

Be heard: VOTE!

In the last week or so there's been a rush of people going out to do voter registration at protests all across the district. OH12 is helping with training, supplies, and logistics. We are here to help you if you want to join in. Please email mialoh12@gmail.com or Bfleeter@ameritech.net if you want to get started.

Vote for Better Leaders

Crystal Lett was one of the folks who sprang into action to start registering voters at protests. She's also an OH12-endorsed candidate running for Ohio Senate in District 16. And we're having a postcard party for her at 6pm TONIGHT, Wednesday, 6/10! Please join us by registering at this link. Email us to learn how to pick up Crystal's (and other candidate) postcards from Clintonville (mialewis34@gmail.com), Delaware & Lewis Center (marian.jacques@gmail.com), or Westerville (pamelaws@sbcglobal.net).

Contribute to organizations fighting for racial justice

For Our Future has set up a campaign where your donations will be split between these seven organizations fighting at every level for racial justice across the country:

The Bail Project
Black Male Voter Project
Black Visions Collective
Black Voters Matter Fund
Higher Heights for America
NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Color of Change

Please donate at this link.

URGENT: Last call to improve Ohio's Elections
Our Ohio Senators and Representatives are getting ready to go off for summer recess. Once they do, it's game over for election reform. We're urging you to make ONE LAST CALL to tell senate leadership to advance Senate Bill 191 so we can apply for absentee ballots online. Make and log your call at this link.

Stand Firm against Stand Your Ground and Permitless Carry
As Ohioans march for black lives outside the Statehouse, Ohio's Republican supermajority is pushing 2 bills that have been PROVEN to increase murder rates.

HB 381 - "Stand Your Ground" (AKA Kill at Will). StandYourGround laws in Florida & Georgia made it difficult to charge Trayvon Martin & Ahmaud Arbery's killers. Ohioans already have a right to self defense. This bill removes the obligation to NOT use deadly force when someone seems threatening in a public space if you can avoid it.
HB 178 - Untrained Carry (AKA Permitless Carry). This would allow Ohioans to carry firearms without a permit or any training. What could go wrong?

CALL the Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee members:
Committee Chair - Rep George Lang (R): 614-466-8550
Vice Chair - Rep Phil Plummer (R): 614-644-8051
Ranking Democrat - Rep Dave Leland (D): 614-466-2473

[Extra points for calling additional committee members: Rep Jim Butler (R): 614-644-6008; Rep Jeff Crossman (D): 614-466-3485; Rep Bob Cupp (R): 614-466-9624; Rep Tavia Galonski (D): 614-644-6037; Rep Diane Grendell (R): 614-644-5088; Rep John Rogers (D): 614-466-7251; Rep Bill Seitz (R): (614) 466-8258; Rep Todd Smith (R): 614-466-2960; Rep Thomas West (D): 614-466-8030]

Tell them it is shameful to even consider supporting bills known to increase murder rates, ESPECIALLY while Ohioans march for black lives outside. Tell them to OPPOSE HB 178 and HB 381.

Submit testimony to CriminalJusticeCommittee@ohiohouse.gov by 9:30 am for 10:30 am hearing TODAY, Weds 6/10.

Upcoming Events

Note: Most of the events below are still virtual, but some are outdoors with requests for social distancing.

BLM Protests: For those in our Facebook group, you can find a list of protests in the area listed HERE. The list is updated regularly. Please comment with additional protests you want to be added.

Wednesday, 6/10: OH12 Virtual Postcard Party, 6-7:30pm. Join us as we all write postcards for our favorite cause or candidate. This week we will focus on Crystal Lett. She's running for State Senate District 16, which includes the western part of Franklin County and Worthington, Dublin, Upper Arlington, Hilliard and Grove City. While Crystal has been involved in a variety of activist organizations throughout her life, one theme is clear: she fights for those who need a champion. From kids dealing with mental illness to families in need of medical benefits, Crystal knows that strong families build a stronger community. We'll have details soon on how to pick up postcards or you can email IndivisibleOH12@gmail.com for info. Register for the Zoom meeting at this link.

Thursday, 6/11: Thursday Action Group Zoom Meeting, 12-1pm. Join the meeting by Zoom at this link.

Saturday, 6/11: OutVote Texting Training, 2pm. Register here. You can help multiply the number of calls and letters going to our Ohio reps about election reform by joining the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition texting campaign. Using OutVote, you can text from a list of Ohio voters, or send messages to your own contacts. Check out this letter with information about the program and sign up for an OutVote training.

Saturday, 6/13: OutVote Texting Training, 11am. Register here. You can help multiply the number of calls and letters going to our Ohio reps about election reform by joining the Ohio Voter Rights Coalition texting campaign. Using OutVote, you can text from a list of Ohio voters, or send messages to your own contacts. Check out this letter with information about the program and sign up for an OutVote training.

Sunday, 6/14: Worthington Protest for Justice and Change, 1-2pm, Worthington Commons Park. A rally in support of Black Lives Matter and to end racism and abuse of power in the USA.

Thanks for all you do!

Mia, Sara, and the OH12 Team

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