Nine experts from across the state spoke on why Ohio is failing on
sustainable energy, the environment, planet protection and democracy at the noon Friday, Oct. 27 "Rally for Ohio State Parks, Climate and Democracy" on the Columbus Statehouse steps (West Plaza).
Speakers:
David Pepper of Cincinnati, democracy activist and author, on "Dark Money and the Corruption of Ohio Politics";
Catherine Turcer of Dublin, director of Common Cause on "This Ain't Democracy," with an update on Citizens, Not Politicians;
Randi Pokladnik, Ph.D., of Save Ohio Parks on "Fracking: The Death and Destruction of Ohio's Parks and Climate Goals;"
Joe Blanda, M.D. of Akron and Physicians for Social Responsibility on "Living in a Cancer Zone: What Fracking Does to Our Health;"
Ohio Rep Mary Lightbody, PhD, supports Ohio State Parks- oil & gas production-free (above & below ground) and prohibiting oil & gas brine spread on Ohio roads;
Molly Jo Stanley of Athens County, Southeast Ohio Regional Director of Ohio Environmental Council on "Democracy by and for the People - and our Place;"
Jessica Grim of Oberlin, of Third Act on "Taking Action on Climate and
Democracy: What are We Waiting for?"
Judy Comeau-Hart of Cleveland and Faith Communities Act Together (FaCT) "Get Organized to Get in GoodTrouble;"
Robert Brecha, Ph.D., of Yellow Springs, professor of University of Dayton's Hanley Sustainability Institute on "Reasons for Hope: Training the Next Generation of Climate Champions."
Music performed by Westerville singer-songwriter, preschool teacher, and nature advocate Jenny Morgan, creator of the "Stand Up" song and animated video.
Emcee, environmental advocate Cathy Cowan Becker of Columbus.
"So many laws recently passed by Ohio's supermajority lawmakers illustrate democracy is dead in Ohio, yet who can we call to resurrect it?" asked Loraine McCosker, steering committee member of Save Ohio Parks. "There was a ballot attempt to limit voters' rights to citizen referendum. Lawmakers gut public education funding while financially supporting private schools; they pass callous gun laws that increase fear among students, parents and teachers while encouraging gun access. They attack transgender kids who just want to go to school, use the bathroom and play sports.
Now the supermajority wants to frack our beloved state parks, even though we face a climate crisis that will extinguish two of our four seasons by 2050, cause the extinction of 70 percent of our animals, plants and marine life, and irrevocably change where we live, what we eat and global political stability. Now is the time to own the reality that democracy requires participation. Lawmakers need to be called out and held accountable for their actions."
The rally may be the last opportunity Ohioans have to meet publicly before
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources' Oil and Gas Land Management
Commission decides to approve or deny fracking under Ohio state parks,
forests, wildlife areas and other public lands. A meeting date has not been
announced, but is expected to be set in early to mid-November.
More information, including a carpool board, is on the rally registration
page at bit.ly/rally10-27.
