This Week from Indivisible Akron
Do the Browns need $600m for a stadium? What we learned from No Kings ... and your action items for the week
Do the Browns Need $600m for a New Stadium?
The Ohio house added $600 million to the state budget, and so far, it hasn’t been removed by the senate. From Ohioans Against Extremism’s TAKE ACTION document:
WHAT IT DOES:
WHAT TO DO:
Tell Senator Jerry Cirino and these senators to remove the Browns stadium from the state budget. Talking points are included in this guide.
ICYMI: Yesterday’s No Kings Event Rocked
By Noelle Bowman, co-founder of Indivisible Akron
Thank you to everyone who showed up and drove by yesterday during the No Kings protests! We estimate 3,000 attended downtown, even more than we had on April 5 at the HANDS OFF protest in Hardesty Park.
Although the day went off without a hitch, I can’t stop thinking about the young man who wore a coonskin hat, carried a MAGA sign and marched by himself throughout our rally. I was deeply disappointed by the number of people who yelled expletives at him, cornered him (illegally, I might add, but more on that in a moment) and taunted him. Is that why he was there? Probably. But, folks: If we give into that sort of thing, we all lose. WE. ALL. LOSE.
I had a conversation with the young man. He was harmless. He had some ideas that were … conspiratorial, let’s say … but I sensed no threat from him. The people who were harassing him? They worried me. Fortunately, we had trained peace marshals who helped to deescalate the confrontations and helped to educate those folks on freedom of speech and false imprisonment.
From FindLaw: False imprisonment occurs when a person intentionally and illegally restrains another person’s ability to move freely. In a private lawsuit under civil law, false imprisonment can be brought as an intentional tort law claim (civil wrongful act).
You cannot surround someone or corner them, preventing them from movement. You could be arrested and charged with false imprisonment. Never do this. If someone poses a threat, our de-escalation training suggests that a group forms a V between the threat and others, giving the threatening person a clear way out.
While counter-protestors may be there to ruffle your feathers, you give them power when you channel your energy in their direction. I know how angry we can feel at times. My God, some days I just want to disconnect everything and watch reruns of Barney. Oh, wait. Barney’s controversial too?
Thank you to all the volunteers who served as peace marshals, all the volunteers from the National Lawyers Guild who observed and documented, and all the Indivisible Akron team who made the day a success. And thank you to the 3,000 people who showed up! Wow!
Now, on to business.
SB1 Referendum is Still a TOP Priority
Ohio Senate Bill 1 (SB1), now known as the Advance Ohio Higher Education Act, is facing a referendum challenge due to concerns about its restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, faculty rights, and academic freedom.
Where can I sign the petition? Access the interactive table here.
👉🏻‼️Links to sign petitions, collect signatures, donate and learn more‼️👈🏽
Stop Ohio’s SAVE Act
From Honesty for Ohio Education: Two identical bills, SB 153 and HB 233, are currently moving through the statehouse. If passed, Ohio's SAVE Act could prevent tens of thousands—and potentially hundreds of thousands—of eligible Ohioans from voting. This legislation is deeply concerning, as it imposes significant barriers to registering to vote or updating voter registration. In addition, it threatens to undermine Ohio’s citizen-led ballot initiative process.
★ TAKE ACTION NOW—Use this advocacy tool to learn more about the dangers of Ohio's SAVE Act and ways you can take action.
Stop Ohio Senate Bill 172
Click the image for details on the proposed bill, along with actions to take and lawmakers to call.
Protect Ohio's Students and Families—Stop House Bill 42
From Honesty for Ohio Education: House Bill 42 is a bill moving through the Ohio Statehouse that would require all public schools to collect and report student information to the federal government. This bill is a misguided attempt to help federal immigration officials deport more children and families. HB 42 isn't about helping schools—it's a political move that puts vulnerable students in harm's way. It breaks the trust between families and schools, risks student safety, and could hurt children from all backgrounds. Ohio kids deserve safe classrooms, not fear and surveillance.
★ TAKE ACTION NOW—Email Ohio representatives today using this action tool to help us stop HB 42.
CTAs: Calls to Action Week of June 15, 2025
June is Donation Match Month from Indivisible!
Indivisible’s matching campaign kicked off June 1 and goes through June 30. Every dollar donated to Indivisible Akron through this link will be matched by Indivisible, up to $500.
June 16 & 30: Indivisible Akron Resilience Group Meetups
Feel like talking? This subgroup within Indivisible Akron is about empathy, coping and sharing stories. When you need to vent or take a break from the cacophony, join your fellow members for a session of venting, comfort and laughs. Meets every two weeks. No agenda, no action items, no speakers. These are facilitator-led sharing and coping sessions. June 16 & June 30: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Northwest Akron Branch Library, 1720 Shatto Ave. RSVP here.
June 17: IA & ADD Meetup at the Mustard Seed
Join progressive minded community members at the Mustard Seed Market in Highland Square for our weekly social hour. There's no agenda, no speakers, no to-do lists, and no asks (other than a donation to help offset the space rental fee).
Indivisible Akron (IA) and Akron Democracy Defenders (ADD) help to make this event possible.
You never know what you'll find at each week's meetup! Sometimes we write postcards, sometimes we make protest signs, and every time we have a great time and meet new people.
Please support the Mustard Seed Market by purchasing a beverage or food from the cafe (no outside drinks or food please).
June 17: Indivisible Akron | Immigration Working Group Meetup
In lieu of a meeting this month, the immigration group is joining the candlelight vigil for due process on June 17 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Medina Square. Bring signs, bring flags, bring instruments, and bring noisemakers for the rally from 7:00 p.m. to 8 p.m. Bring poems or statements to read during the vigil from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.; candles provided. This event is being sponsored by organizers in Medina County. If you’d like to meetup with our immigration group, they’d like you to RSVP here.
June 17: Red, Wine & Blue ‘Understanding EOs & Their Impact’
RW&B welcomes Howard University professor Kathryn Wiley as she breaks down what executive orders actually do, how they’re being (ab)used right now and why they matter. RSVP for the Zoom call, which is from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. June 17.
June 18: Indivisible Akron Book Club
Join us for a thoughtful and enlightening discussion of our monthly book club for progressive-minded people! For June 2025, we are reading "Prequel: An American Fight Against Fascism" by Rachel Maddow. It’s June 18 at 6:00 p.m. at the Highland Square library, 801 W. Market Street. Please RSVP here.
June 19: Speaker Event Shannon Watts, Founder of Moms Demand Action
Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action and a leading force in gun violence prevention, will speak at Hudson Library on Thursday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m.. Her book, Fired Up, empowers women to step into their power, whether in activism, career, or personal life.
Copies will be available for purchase and signing. Registration required—sign up at hudsonlibrary.org.
June 24: Indivisible Akron LGBTQ+ Social Time
The LGBTQ+ is taking a break from its usual monthly meeting format to hold a social hour event. Who needs agendas and speakers all the time? Sometimes, we just need to meet and mingle! They invite friends and allies to meetup for a casual social from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. June 24 at Mustard Seed Market in the second floor cafe. RSPV for details.
June 27: Letter and Postcard Writing Party
The Constant Campaign will join the fight for democracy and decency with postcard and letter writing and other activities for as long as it takes to save the country. We will support pro-democracy candidates at all levels – from school boards to mayors to the House and Senate.
All activities at churches or other 501(c)(3) organizations will be strictly non-partisan. We will help get out the vote and assist voters with the new stringent voter suppression ID laws.
Join the rapidly growing cadre at the vanguard of this fight. Bring pens and enthusiasm – and postcard stamps would be a great help! We plan to meet roughly every two weeks. Other events to be announced shortly.
6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday June 27 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron. RSVP required.
July 1: Indivisible Akron - Environmental Group Meetup & Guest Speaker
Join the Environmental Working Group on July 1 at 6:00 p.m. at the North Hill Library for two speakers: Kimberly LoVano, community engagement director of Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and Casey Shevlin, director of sustainability for the City of Akron. Kimberly will present data and visuals on the impact of the Trump regime on CVNP, and Casey will update us on what’s going on with Akron’s sustainability efforts. RSVP required.
Other Noteworthy Events & Action Items
From Ohio Progressive Action Leaders (OPAL): Join us for Die-Ins outside Jon Husted’s new Cleveland office as we call out his role in undermining our democracy and failing Ohio’s families, workers, and institutions. Volunteers will bring handmade tombstones and signs — feel free to add your voice. Husted has prioritized elite interests over everyday Ohioans for too long. Let’s remind him who he serves. Afterward, swing by Free Stamp Friday for food trucks and community connection. RSVP here, 11:30 a.m. Fridays through July 25.
From Indivisible: Email your senators - Republicans and Democrats - to demand they speak out LOUDLY against the No Contempt Clause! The GOP hid a reckless provision to shield Trump officials from contempt of court in their Medicaid-slashing megabill. We need to get Republican senators on the record about that sneak-attack on democracy, and push Democrats to disrupt Republicans’ anti-democracy agenda with every tool at their disposal.
June 21: Stow Monroe Falls Pride Cookout
In honor of Stow Collaboration for Change's fifth anniversary, the Stow-Munroe Falls Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative, the SMF LGBTQ Crew, and the Stow-Munroe Falls Democratic Club, are hosting the inaugural Stow-Munroe Falls Pride Cookout. All are invited to this safe, affirming, free event, where guests will share food and fellowship in celebration of queer identity. Free Event, with donation site. 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 21 at the ADA-accessible Leona Farris Lodge, in Silver Springs Park.