Rally for State Parks, Climate, and Democracy

Please join us as we rally for our Ohio state parks, climate, and democracy, on Friday, October 27, at 12 noon at the Ohio Statehouse, West Plaza, on the steps facing High Street.

This rally will bring together a diverse coalition of environmental, faith, health, and democracy groups to tell our state legislators -- and the commission that will decide the fate of our beloved state parks and wildlife areas -- that we the people own the public land and democracy in Ohio, and we want to see it protected, not fracked.

We have an incredible lineup of speakers you will not want to miss, including:

• David Pepper, Ohio author, attorney, and democracy activist
• Robert Brecha, director of sustainability at University of Dayton
• Catherine Turcer, Ohio director for Common Cause
• Jess Grim, Ohio co-coordinator for Third Act
• Judy Comeau-Hart, director of Faith Communities Together
• Molly Jo Stanley, Ohio Environmental Council
• Joe Blanda, Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Randi Pokladnik, Save Ohio Parks

With music by local singer-songwriter, preschool teacher, and nature advocate Jenny Morgan, and emcee by Central Ohio environmental advocate Cathy Cowan Becker.

Please come out to the Statehouse on October 27 to show your support. See you then!

Background

Ohio's Oil and Gas Land Management Commission will meet soon to decide whether to approve or deny nominations to frack Salt Fork State Park, Wolf Run State Park, Valley Run Wildlife Area, and Zepernick Wildlife Area.

The commission chair has stated -- falsely -- that the legislature requires them to approve these nominations. That is not true. This commission has the power to deny fracking in our state parks and wildlife areas -- and they should.

This is not just a problem of the environment. It's also a spiritual crisis, a health crisis, and a crisis of democracy in Ohio. Only by banding together will our groups be able to send this message loud and clear -- just 10 days before an election -- the people of Ohio want our parks and our democracy in tact.

Carpool Board

Coming from outside of Columbus? Host or join a carpool here:
https://www.groupcarpool.com/t/hmi5yx