In January 2017, Chana Wiley's little brother, Jaron Thomas, died in the hospital 9 days after calling Columbus police for help during a mental health crisis. Records show that force was used on Jaron by officers during the encounter.
Since then, Chana has organized alongside other dedicated community members as part of the @cbussafetycolumbus and @ofupac to advocate for more mental health and substance use calls that respond with clinicians, medical professionals and peer support workers, not police and firefighters.
After 5 years of continuous organizing, collecting 30,000 signatures and garnering support from Columbus City Council and union leaders, this issue has made it to the ballot, and the voters will decide on May 5th. Learn more about #Issue5 on our latest episode, available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts.
🗳️🌊 What a weekend, Columbus! Huge thanks to everyone who join us for Party @ the Polls, knocking doors, making post cards, and more!.
BUT WE’RE NOT DONE. Now comes the most important part: TOMORROW IS ELECTION DAY.
✅ Make YOUR plan to vote—Tuesday, May 5th.
📍 Know your polling location: https://www.ohiosos.gov/directories/find-my-polling-location
⏰ Polls are open 6:30 AM – 7:30 PM.
✉️ If you have an absentee ballot, drop it off ASAP. Your absentee ballot must be received no later than 7:30 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
And when you’re in that booth, don’t forget:
🗳️ VOTE YES ON ISSUE 5.
This is our chance to shape Columbus’s future. Grab a friend, check your ride, set that alarm. Let’s finish strong.
#VoteYesOnIssue5 #GOTV #ElectionDay #ColumbusOhio
This is our chance to be heard. ✊
Remember the push for change we talked about? Well, the legislation requiring drug and alcohol testing after an officer's use of force now has an official number: House Bill 548.
This is a critical step forward, but our leaders in Columbus need to know their constituents care. We need you to help push this over the finish line.
✅ Take two minutes. Use the link below or in our bio to contact your state rep and senator. Urge them to support HB 548.
Together, we can build a system with the transparency and accountability all Ohioans deserve.
Special Thanks to Rep. Darnell Brewer (@rep.brewer ) of Ohio House District 22 for taking the time to meet with the families, for showing up when it matters and for introducing the legislation. Also, special thanks to the families and our Ohio Police Reform Policy Table for the work you put in to make this happen.
Click here to send your letter: /letters/support-mandatory-substance-alcohol-screening-for-use-of-force-incidents/
The DPD wants to frame this issue as "it only impacts immigrants" in order to divide us and make us lose momentum. They are trying to divert attention away from their culture of impunity with the city manager at the helm of the "smoke and mirrors" approach to management. We are as united as ever! We support and uplift each other! And we believe that we will win! Come and support your neighbors and show a united front! WEAR BLACK! Ohio is Home! No Room for Racism! #united #daytonohio #OldLiesDon'tWorkAnymore #Blacklivesmatter #accountability #immigrantsmakeamericagreat
🚨 We’re back in the office and turning the volume UP.
Ohioans Against Extremism is expanding our Substack with deeper policy explainers, Statehouse updates, advocacy tools, and the context Ohio voters need to fight extremism in real time.
Our latest post breaks down what’s happening now and what’s coming next 👇
Read the latest on Substack
📬 Want every post the moment it drops? Follow our Substack.
🗞 Prefer one easy weekly roundup? Sign up for the OAE mailing list and get our Weekly Digest delivered straight to your inbox.
The Ohio Statehouse moves fast. We’re making sure Ohioans can keep up.
#OhioPolitics #OhioStatehouse #Advocacy #Substack #Ohio
Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful mom's out there. We appreciate you more than you know. This Mother's Day be sure to hold space in your heart for the mom's missing their children. Be sure to love on them a bit extra today.
🎉 ISSUE 5 SAILING TO VICTORY! The people of Columbus have spoken - we are ready to reimagine public safety and prioritize appropriate care for our neighbors in need.
Show up to the polls and vote YES ON FIVE, COLUMBUS!!! Polls are open until 7:30pm. If there’s a line, stay in line! If you see our team out there snap a pic with us and tag us!! Let’s enjoy these last few hours together on the campaign trail. ❤️
TODAY'S THE DAY!!
Columbus residents make sure you VOTE YES ON ISSUE 5 today at the polls. This is our chance to reimagine what Public Safety looks like in Columbus, OH.
See you at the polls!
We're voting YES on Issue 5 because all of us deserve to feel safe when asking for help. 💜📣
Polls are open until 7:30 p.m. TODAY, May 5 ➡️ Cast your ballot and make your voice heard.
