Dear Ohio BJ’ers
If you’re not on the ODP list:
There will be a major mobilization this coming Tuesday at 1pm at the Ohio statehouse. This is when the next hearing and possible committee vote will take place on SB 5, the GOP bill to repeal collective bargaining. We’d like all of you to join and send as many activists, friends and family, to join the public employees for what will be the biggest show of force yet. I’d ask you to also consider organizing and coordinating buses or vans from your county to bring people en masse to the capital. Folks should wear the uniform they wear at work if applicable (ie scrubs) or wear red. It is crucial that we turn out even larger numbers this Tuesday than we did this past week to build momentum and ensure our voice is heard.
Please come to the Ohio Statehouse (1 Capitol Square, Columbus Ohio 43215) this coming Tuesday, February 22 at 1:00 p.m. Your presence will send a strong message and help our efforts to defeat Senate Bill 5 and the rest of our opponents’ anti-middle class agenda.
Please come. If you can’t make it, can you make calls and organize one group of four or five to commit to go on Tuesday, today? I can’t go so that’s what I’m doing. Those of you who have done this before know the drill: fewer cars, more people, so at least 4 per vehicle.
I won’t be able to respond to individual questions in the comments or emails today, but thanks in advance.
geg6
PA is watching and pulling for OH and WI. PA is on the block, too. I hope this all spreads all across the nation. Very inspiring.
Lavocat
There’s a whiff of the 1960s in the air. Yes, I’m that old. Revolution! What a wonderful scent!
I think I’ll put on Graham Nash’s “Chicago” and light one up.
ornery curmudgeon
Good stuff, Kay, thanks for posting … I agree with geg6 in pulling for OH and WI. It’s fantastic to see Americans finally standing up.
gbear
From the WI State Journal’s blog:
I hope that everyone at the protest in Madison is doing well and staying warm today.
Another Commenter at Balloon Juice (fka Bella Q)
Thanks, Kay. I was hoping you’d put a post up. I’m making some organizing calls. It’s well worth the effort.
Violet
I’m so inspired by what is happening. Thanks for posting about this, Kay.
General Stuck
I will be there in spirit Kay :)
JenJen
Wish I didn’t have to work Tuesday, Kay. There in spirit of course and I’ll be tweeting like crazy. :-)
Ruckus
Sent the post to a friend who lives in Columbus OH figuring he would be involved, got a reply back that yes he is on it, there was a demonstration Thursday and 200 Tea Party folks showed up on their paid for buses. Unfortunately for them 3500 counter protesters showed up on their own dime. The tea party lasted about an hour.
And he is going again Tuesday.
Sir Nose'D
And for those Ohio BJers in Dayton that cannot make it to Columbus (ok, the demographic is getting small), consider this. On Monday at 9:15am at the Dayton Convention Center, the Dayton Education Association is calling on all of its members to show up at a Senator Lehner’s Town Hall Meeting. Non-DEA members are most certainly welcome, especially if you oppose the elimination of collective bargaining for state, county, and city employees. Lehner supports eliminating collective bargaining.
debbie
If you’re not Facebook-phobic, there’s group to “like”::
http://www.causes.com/causes/576480
One poster has included state reps’ numbers and email addresses:
Kevin Bacon: (614) 466-8064, [email protected]
Tom Patton: (614) 466-8056, [email protected]
Karen Gillmor:(614) 466-8049, [email protected]
Jim Hughes: (614) 466-5981, [email protected]
Gayle Manning:(614) 644-7613, [email protected]
Bill Beagle: (614) 466-6247, [email protected]
Mark Wagner:(614) 466-8060, [email protected]
Mark LaRose: (614) 466-4823, [email protected]
Peggy Lehner:(614) 466-4538, [email protected]
Bill Seitz:(614) 466-8068, [email protected]
Jimmy Stewart:(614) 466-8076, [email protected]
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Looks like somebody’s paying attention:
jharp
There is a fairly large University called Ohio State just a stones throw plus a short but direct bus ride ride straight down High Street, maybe 10 minutes away.
I think you should contact the Ohio State University student newspaper, The Lantern, and get the students to attend.
Best to all.
jharp
Oh, it’s 53,000 students at Ohio State. Certainly you can convince some of them to lend their support.
LindaH
Oddly enough, I took Tuesday off so I could have a long weekend. I guess I’ll mosey down to Columbus to be at the rally. This has to be fought as hard as we can.