This Week in Indivisible Akron News
Starting difficult conversations, plus make more calls on the SAVE Act & more ways to defend democracy
Signs of Progress
By Noelle Bowman, co-founder of Indivisible Akron
Two days ago, I got an email from Barbara Taylor, an activist in Seattle, who wrote, “MayDay is coming up and I've been making the art for signs for all the demonstrations. At this point I've designed well over 70 signs and people have carried them in demos such as Tesla Takedown and the April 5th demonstrations. They address a wide range of the issues we face and are laid out for 18”x24" (or 24"x18") signboards. And I take orders if someone has a good sign idea.”
She said she didn’t need credit; just share her work. But I like to give credit where it is due. Barbara’s Substack is here, which includes step-by-step instructions for downloading her signs. She shared two folders, one for 8.5x11 printers (one signs = four tiles, which can be assembled puzzle-like) and another for 24x18 full-size printing. “Call Me WOKE. Make My Day” is my favorite.
On to business …
Ohio SB1 State Referendum
Last week, a newly formed political action committee called Labor, Education, and Diversity Ohio took the first step in a citizen-led referendum that would reverse Ohio SB1, which Governor Mike DeWine signed into law on March 28, 2025. Ohio Capital Journal explains how SB1 guts academic freedom.
The referendum process isn’t easy. Ohio requires a two-step petition process. First, collect at least 1,000 signatures to support the petition language and submit that to Attorney General Yost’s office for approval. If the petition is rejected, they’ll have to start over and follow the AG’s feedback and re-collect a minimum of 1,000 signatures.
If the petitions are accepted, the second step is to collect 250,000 voters’ signatures from at least 44 counties in Ohio.
What can we do?
Donate, as soon as their PAC status is official! Bookmark their website.
Weekly Calls to Action (CTAs)
Tell ‘em Tuesdays with Crooked River Action
Every Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Crooked River Action is holding a virtual event called “TELL ‘em TUESDAYS,” where they call Summit County voters to let them know about policies that could hurt them (us) or their (our) communities. They include information about what voters can do to defend their rights. Even if you join for only an hour or make only a few calls — every call helps! Each week begins with an overview of the issue of the day, then tools to get started. You will need an ActionID. Visit their Facebook event page for details or register here.
Thursdays: What’s The Plan with Indivisible’s Founders
Every Thursday at 3:00 p.m. EDT, the founders of Indivisible national hold a one-hour discussion to talk about what’s going on throughout the country and within the larger organization. It is open to everyone (including trolls who occasionally spam the chat, which can be amusingly frustrating). RSVP for one or as many of them you want.
NOW CTAs
NOW: Learn More About Ohio HB 96 & Take Action
KEEP CALLING: Oppose the SAVE Act (AKA Silencing Americans Act)🔥🔥🔥🔥
The SAVE Act may be our biggest threat at the moment. If it goes through, we will have a steeper hill to climb in the midterm elections. We have to do everything we can to oppose this dangerous piece of legislation.
Download 5 Calls now and call senators Moreno and Husted daily. We cannot be discouraged by their lack of presence and voter outreach.
Your action items are here. The information on the HR 22 is here.
CTA Calendar
April 29: Mustard Seed Social
This informal meetup takes place on Tuesdays at Mustard Seed Market in Highland Square. Meet like-minded people from Akron Democracy Defenders, Indivisible Akron and the community at large. This week, the group will be making signs in preparation for the May Day rallies (details below). No RSVP required. More info on our Facebook events page. Mustard Seed Market, 867 W. Market Street, Akron, 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
April 30: Don’t Discriminate for HB 8
Join the creators of the Don’t Discriminate Guide to HB 8 at 7:00 p.m. on April 30 to learn how you can support LGBTQ+ students and educators in your school district. RSVP for the toolkit release event.
May 1: May Day National Day of Action
On May Day 2025, workers, parents, community members, students, and working families are coming together to raise their voices for better, safer, and stronger communities across the country. “We deserve places that center the needs of working families, neighborhood public schools, affordable housing and access to high-quality healthcare.” Join the concerted effort at one of the locations listed below.
May 1: Throughout Ohio — May Day Events presented by the Mayday Coalition Project
Join the May Day protest in Akron. More information is here, and you can RSVP (or just show up). This event is not organized by Indivisible Akron; it’s a coalition effort through the Mayday Coalition Project.
There are more events throughout Ohio. The links below go to the Facebook event pages. If you aren’t on Facebook, event details are on Mayday Coalition Project’s website.
Fight for the Working Class: 6:00 p.m. Market Square in Cleveland
Fight for the Working Class: 6:00 p.m. Cascade Plaza in downtown Akron
May (3rd) Day Strong: We are the Many
Up for a road trip on Saturday, May 3? Our friends from Knox Co Ohio Indivisible are gathering for a rally on the Mount Vernon Public Square for a half-hour protest from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., followed by their first Indivisible meeting (hurray!). Details are here, on this Mobilize link.
May 5: Resilience Group Meetup
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 an hour of venting, comfort and laughs. Meets twice a month. No agenda, no action items, no speakers. These are facilitator-led sharing and coping sessions. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in West Akron. RSVP required for location information.
May 6: Vote in Ohio
What’s on the ballot? Akron-Summit County Public Library’s Issue 18 will help fund building renovations for the library system’s 18 locations. When it passes, it will cost property owners $35 a year for every $100,000 of the property’s appraised value. Learn more from Signal Akron. Learn more from Akron-Summit Library.
Key Information:
Election Date: May 6, 2025 (Polls Open 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
What’s On My Ballot: Enter your information.
Early in-Person Voting: April 8, 2025, and includes the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day.
Absentee Voting by Mail: Begins April 8, 2025 (If not returned by mail, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day).
How to Register or Check Your Status: Visit Ohio's official voter registration website or check with your local election office.
ID Requirements: https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/id-requirements/ .
If you have questions, visit the Summit County Board of Elections website, or give them a call at (330) 434-1311.
May 8: Benefit for Immigration
If you’re out and about in the Cuyahoga Falls area on Thursday, May 8, stop in at Tiki Underground, where they will donate $1 from every drink ordered to an immigration-related cause TBD (to be determined). Tiki Underground is at 1832 Front Street. Public parking is available (but parking in the Sheraton parking lot is a no-no). No RSVP necessary. Show up thirsty and hungry (menu).
May 10: OPAL Mothers & Others Standing Against Fascism
At 230 Stow Avenue, Cuyahoga Falls, in the church square behind First Christian Church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. In honor of Mother's Day weekend, and as part of actions happening throughout the state, OPAL is inviting “mothers and others” to stand up and speak out against fascism. On Saturday, May 10, concerned citizens will gather in communities across Ohio to say no to the bullies and billionaires who are threatening our freedoms and our families. This will be a family friendly event including music, activities for kids and more. Join us and make your voice heard! Presented by Ohio Progressive Action Leaders (OPAL) and Kitchen Table Voters. RSVP here!
May 12: Indivisible Akron’s Monthly Meeting
Join Indivisible Akron for its monthly meeting. Learn about the community, and find out how you can get involved. Meet like-minded people who want to fight for democracy, defend human rights, and protect the Constitution. Hear about what our working groups are doing. Guest speaker announcement and agenda coming soon. We are working to have better sound. Monday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. RSVP required.
May 14: Citizens’ Police Oversight Board Committee Meeting
The board’s next committee meeting is Wednesday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m. in the Community Room of Maple Valley Branch Library, 1187 Copley Road in Akron . Meetings are live-streamed via the city’s YouTube page. Details on upcoming meetings and events are here.
May 19: Resilience Group Meetup
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 an hour of venting, comfort and laughs. Meets twice a month. No agenda, no action items, no speakers. These are facilitator-led sharing and coping sessions. 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in West Akron. RSVP required for location information.
May 19: Indivisible Akron | LGBTQ+ Monthly Meetup
Join Indivisible Akron's LGBTQ+ working group for the monthly meeting. Meet like-minded folks, learn about upcoming events, and get information about policies that affect our membership. Find out how you can get involved in defending democracy and more events in our LGBTQ+ community including this summer's PRIDE events. This working group is one of our most active, engaged smaller communities within the larger Indivisible Akron community! 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 19. RSVP for location (near Copley/Fairlawn).
May 21: Citizens’ Police Oversight Board
Akron’s Citizens’ Police Oversight Board (CPOB) meets the third Wednesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in city council chambers at 166 South High Street, 3rd floor.
May 21: Indivisible Akron Book Club
The Indivisible Akron book club is reading “Dear White Women: Let’s Get (Un)comfortable Talking About Racism.” We’re meeting at the Highland Square library in the larger community room from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. RSVP here.
June 3: How Things Work at the Statehouse
Join Rachel Coyle of How Things Work at the Statehouse and Indivisible Akron for this virtual session and advocacy training at 6:30 p.m. on June 3. Learn how a bill becomes a law in Ohio and how we the people can impact state laws and policies! RSVP for the Zoom link.
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