Bradblog: OH Divinity Student on Hunger Strike to Stop HB3

[freedomfries]

Posted on GD:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5567123

[jen4clark]

1. Please everyone write

your State Rep and Senators about opposing HB 3!

Please see my post HERE for details.

[jen4clark]

2. Rally in Columbus and Petition to Sign

Message posted at Yahoo Group J30, Sat. Dec. 10:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/J30/

Support Hunger Strike and Vigil against H.B. 3


RALLY TUES!!!! We are also planning a rally/protest on Tues at 2 pm at
the Statehouse when they vote. Bring signs, dress warmly. If you can
get there at 1;30 pm, we can go to the gallery when they vote at 2!
Probably can't have signs in the gallery, but maybe a few bumper
stickers on our bodies! We can stay outside with signs (on the sidewalk
not the statehouse property) all afternoon till rush hour traffic
starts at 4 pm, then warm up and go to the Forum for choosing a Dem
Party leader for Ohio at First Congregational Church on Broad Street
that night. What a day!!!




Message from Jonathan Meier, also posted to Yahoo Group J30, Sat. Dec. 10:

Hello everyone-

I am now three days into the hunger strike and, after spending over 20
hours outside the statehouse in the same spot during those three days,
have found it impossible to stay warm, no matter how much extra
clothing I put on and no matter how many hand warmers I had. Today, at
noon, I admitted to myself that I could not continue fasting AND being
outside.

The strategy around this demonstration has now shifted. I am committed
to keep fasting until Tuesday when the Ohio Senate votes on Sub House
Bill 3. I also intend to be in a state of prayer throughout the day
during the next three days. However, I will have to cut down
significantly on the length of time I am outside the statehouse.

As I got home from the statehouse a little bit ago, the thought that
was on my mind was, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. My heart and
my soul keep telling me that, as our Ohio state motto says, With God,
all things are possible, but the last few days have been trying. I
believe that the Spirit of God is always with us, that the Spirit is
bigger and more powerful than I could ever imagine, that the Spirit can
work on and transform even the hardest of hearts. And I believe that
democracy allows for the Spirit to work in that way. But I still need a
lot of help in my unbelief. I still need a lot of help believing in
that Hope beyond hope and in the true power of God working through
individuals.

I ask you all to help God help me with my unbelief.

On Tuesday at 1pm, the Ohio Senate will be voting on HB3. If passed,
the bill would undoubtedly leave a large segment of our population
without a voice – namely, the poorest and most marginalized among us
and it would give permission for other states to follow suit.

Friends, I ask you to join me on Tuesday at 10am at the statehouse to
talk with our state senators to lay bare our spirits and to speak
from our hearts to tell them why this bill is wrong. They need to hear
that heart-voice, and they need to hear it from us.
Imagine what that would be like hundreds of people of faith going to
the statehouse and flooding the offices of our senators, talking to
them on a spiritual level, treating them like the children of God that
they are, yet explaining to them the wrong of the situation.

I know it is finals week and we are all busily trying to get our
papers done, but please come to the statehouse at 10am on Tuesday, and
bring your congregation with you. You might be thinking that you don't
know enough about House Bill 3 to talk to senators about it please
write me back if that's how you feel and I will get you more
information ASAP. It will be our presence more than anything that, I
believe, will transform their hearts.

Where: Ohio Statehouse; corner of Broad St. and High St. in Columbus.
When: Tuesday, December 10, 10:00am-noon. (posters note: Assuming he means Dec. 13 as this was posted Sat. Dec. 10.)

Meet in the rotunda of the Statehouse (right inside the main entrance
of the statehouse off of High Street). Talking points on HB3 will be
provided on Tuesday. We will team up when we talk to the senators, so
you won't be alone. Call me on my cell phone at any time from now until
then [phone].

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.

In hope,
Jonathan Meier
[phone]

_________________________________________________________



Petition Taft to VETO HB 3. The following is from Jennifer Brunner who's running for Sec of State:

URGENT ACTION ALERT

SIGN THE PETITION AND HELP STOP REPUBLICANS FROM
ADOPTING VOTER DISCRIMINATION BILL

Late in the evening on December 7, 2005, the Ohio Senate Rules Committee approved House Bill 3, which will require every Ohioan to show a form of identification before being entitled to vote a regular election ballot.

Voters without the specifically defined identification called for in the bill will have to vote a provisional ballot that is not certain to be counted. Many college students will be forced to vote provisionally, because their ID's will not have their college address on it. Many elderly people who no longer have driver's licenses and people in poverty who do not drive will be affected.

The bill is scheduled for a full Senate vote early next week, and the House is expected to concur with Senate amendments soon afterward. Governor Taft, a former Ohio Secretary of State, will get the bill for signature.

Please sign this petition and tell Governor Taft to VETO this bill.

If this bill becomes law, you can expect:

* Longer lines at the polls on election day

* Thousands of voters who will not be able to vote or their votes won't be counted

* Additional risks to the security of your most personal information

Voters who do not present acceptable identifications (as determined by election workers) will have to turn over the last four digits of their Social Security Numbers or sign an affirmation. Then they will only be able to vote a provisional ballot that may or may not be counted. THE BILL DOES NOT DEFINE OR SPECIFY WHAT IS A PROVISIONAL BALLOT. Just last year, Ken Blackwell successfully fought to prevent provisional ballots from being counted. It could happen again, and the next time, the problems could be much worse.

Click here to sign the petition and prevent this Voter Discrimination Bill from becoming law.

Jennifer Brunner is fighting against this legislation in her campaign for Ohio Secretary of State. Ohio needs a Secretary of State who will honor and protect every person's right to vote without regard to age, race or economic means with a system that allows voters to trust the process.

CLICK to sign the petition.

CLICK to find out how to contact your State Representative and State Senator.

CLICK to read Jennifer Brunner's testimony on House Bill 3.

CLICK to support Jennifer Brunner's campaign.


Jennifer Brunner Committee
545 E. Town Street,
Columbus, Ohio 43215
614-255-4254

[POAS]

3. I downloaded the latest iteration

of this bill from the House website. It's gigantic and almost impossible to comprehend.

It is likely that buried deep in this monstrosity are numerous anti-democratic (with a small d) articles .

[mosin]

4. Thanks for the heads up...

I printed out the version passed by the House, and I'll read through it in detail tonight. I may find some details of the bill I don't like.

When I first skimmed through the bill this past summer, however, I was inclined to support it. I have long thought we need better voter anti-fraud measures, and I have long been equally disappointed that so many Democrats are opposed to them.