Sound Off on Sunday Bus Service
Will cutting Sunday bus service affect you, your friend or your grandmother's disabled neighbor? The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), which operates the Metro bus and Access transportation systems, is considering eliminating Sunday service to balance its books (see "SORTA a mess," issue of Dec. 22-28). A public hearing takes place from 3:30-6 p.m. Thursday at the Cinergy Center, 300 West Sixth St. in South Rooms 242-243. A sign language interpreter will be available. Those unable to attend can log their sentiments at www.sorta.com.
Defend Roe
The International Socialist Organization seeks to rebuild the local movement to protect women's reproductive freedom and preserve Roe v. Wade. Free childcare is available for their meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in room 116 of McMicken Hall at the University of Cincinnati. For more information, call 513-541-3175 or e-mail [email protected].
African Americans in Politics
Unite Cincinnati PAC, which sponsored the recent Citywide Public Safety Summit, hosts a televised discussion on the role of political parties in the African-American community. The meeting, which is open to the public, is 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Media Bridges, 1100 Race St. For more information, contact [email protected].
Peace, Justice, Coffee, Donuts
The Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center hosts a breakfast for local peace and justice organizations from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center, 215 E. 14th Street. E-mail [email protected] for more information.
Put the Death Penalty to Rest
Ohioans to Stop Executions holds its Cincinnati chapter meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Peaslee Neighborhood Center. Call 513-579-8547 for more information.
Concert to Support Mt. Olive Pickles' Farm Workers
The Greater Cincinnati Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) throws a concert to celebrate a recent North Carolina labor agreement ending the six-year Mount Olive Pickle boycott and to raise cash to now help FLOC implement that agreement. The show featuring FLOC President Baldemar Velasquez and special guest Allen Schwartz is at 8 p.m. Jan. 15 at the First Unitarian Church. Tickets, which are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free to kids under 10, are on sale at Shake It Records in Northside, the Rohs Street Coffeehouse in Clifton and the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center downtown. Visit www.floc.com for more information.
Calling for Peace Week by Week
Women in Black hold a vigil for peace on the corner of Vine Street and Central Parkway from 5-6 p.m. every Monday. All are welcome and encouraged to wear dark clothing. Grailville hosts prayer vigils for peace 7-9 p.m. Thursdays, followed by Friday's Lie of the Week rally from 4-6 p.m. on the corner of Calhoun Street and Clifton Avenue. For more information, call the Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center at 513-579-8547 or visit http://www.ijpc-cincinnati.org/.
Greet Bush Noisily
United for Peace and Justice, the folks who helped organize protests of the Republican National Convention in New York, now encourage convergence on Washington, D.C. to mark President Bush's Jan. 20 inauguration. Two groups are organizing creative, powerful protest activities: the DC Anti-War Network (www.dawndc.net) and Turn Your Back on Bush (www.turnyourbackonbush.org). They also urge those who can't attend to organize local protest or educational events Jan. 20 and list them on the UFPJ calendar at www.unitedforpeaceandjustice.org/events.
Billionaires Celebrate their Win
Billionaires for Bush, unsatisfied with their man's narrow win, plan street action and a Billionaires Ball on Inauguration Day, followed by a convergence disguised in "angry liberal attire" and ending three days later with sightseeing in billionaire garb. RSVP to [email protected]. Billionaires are also holding hotel rooms at reasonable rates; email [email protected].
Drums to Remind the Nation
Take a crazy idea, like welcoming Bush 43 to his second stint as commander in chief by simulating the heartbeats of those that beat no longer. Try to find 1,000 drummers to symbolize the (now more than) 1,000 American soldiers killed in Iraq. Post your crazy idea on the Web. Be amazed when not one but 20 states take up the "1,000 Drums for Peace" banner. "People could meet in drum circles, at someone's home, in city parks, in front of city halls or stand alone on the top of the hill," writes organizer Jerry Moody. The drumming coincides with the oath of office Jan. 20. State leaders are needed to coordinate drum circles, direct lonely drummers, act as media contacts and serve on the 1,000 Drums board. Contact Moody at [email protected] to find out more.
Peace Group Rebuilds
The Coalition for Peace With Iraq (CPWI) is organizing to help rebuild the anti-war movement — before the Bush regime's next military venture. CPWI meets from 4-6 p.m. the first and third Sundays of each month at Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church.
