Standing up for democracy means fighting even when the odds are long and when, at first, you may find yourself largely fighting alone.
And that’s where several faculty members found themselves not long ago when a right-wing attack on higher education passed the Ohio statehouse and was signed by the Governor. I’ve described the details of SB1 HERE.
Knowing the damage the new law would do to higher ed in Ohio, and seeing no one else doing anything, these leaders decided they would step up…and they did. And in recent months, this small group has grown into an army of volunteers numbering in the thousands, all gathering signatures in an effort to put SB1 on the ballot to be repealed.
This weekend marks their final push, and I’m writing to ask you to help them get over the finish line.
In the video above, one of the effort’s leaders—YSU Professor Mark Vopat—explains where things stand, how you can help, and what he’s learned along the way.
But to cut to the chase: the most helpful thing is that every Ohioan who cares about higher education sign and, even better, circulate petitions over the weekend to maximize the number of signatures for the repeal effort.
And there are so many opportunities to pitch in. For example, near me, two state representatives are hosting a petition signing drive-thru today from 10-1:
To find an opportunity to help in your region, please check out the campaign’s SignUpGenius.
There are also numerous volunteer opportunities that are being posted on our social media accounts:
Facebook: OH SB1 Petition
Instagram: @ohsb1petition
Read more broadly about the campaign HER.
And follow them on substack here:
!This has been an absolutely heroic effort. And a truly righteous cause.
Please help them clear this next, crucial hurdle.
Thank you!
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