In mid-February, a coalition of organizations and dedicated comrades came together to support our fellow neighbors affected by an avoidable disaster caused in whole by corporate malfeasance and blatant government disregard for the working-class and impoverished residents of a small town In Northeast Ohio. It was clear then, as it is evermore clear today, that our politicians – and the wealthy who buy them -- are beholden to greed and profit over us, the working-class people. It is also clear that when our communities are devastated, when our neighbors are hurt, and when our future seems to be forsaken, the power of the people will prevail in the fight for a better world. 

Now, after 10 months, we’ve dutifully expended the last of the $77,000 in the funds that all of you generously and graciously donated on a whim to our project in mutual aid, love, and solidarity. You donated knowing that one day, it could very well be you, your family, and your community suffering and in need as victims of a similar disaster. 

With these funds, we were able to supply countless amounts of much needed material resources and goods for the residents of East Palestine. We were able to make a meaningful difference towards the recovery and resilience of our neighbors in East Palestine. From the bottom of all of our hearts to the knuckles of all of our fists raised together, we thank you. The residents thank you. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what we accomplished with the funds: 

While all of these items were purchased and donated, and all of this money was spent, it does not mean the struggle of East Palestine residents is over, and it does not mean our fight is over. It in fact means that our fight is just beginning. In 2024, we need you to get involved, and get organized. Whether you choose to believe it or deny it, fascism in the end-stage of capitalism is here. Its marching on our streets. kicking down our doors, and destroying our lives and our planet. It’s not going to get better by simply voting and it’s not going to get better by throwing the sum of our working-class wages here and there. We must recognize that our collective future is in our collective hands, and that it’s going to keep taking our collective effort to build the world we wish to live in. If a rag tag coalition of a two dozen or so comrades from the grassroots radical organizations and affinity groups they’re involved in can accomplish all this… then just imagine what we accomplish with your help. Just imagine the world we can all thrive in with your help, for the power is in the people and the people have the power when we’re all united.

 

In Solidarity,
Youngstown Action Center
Socialist Rifle Association — Northeast Ohio & Central Ohio chapters
Democratic Socialists of America — Akron, Columbus, & Mahoning Valley chapters
Food Not Bombs — Canton, Cincinnati, &  Central Ohio chapters
Sunrise Movement — Columbus
Serve The People — Akron
mask bloc 614
Central Ohio Youth Liberation
Recon Source — Hell

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Open Collective has asked us to answer the following additional questions about our efforts and the use of the platform , so read on if you’re interested in knowing the nitty gritty.

What challenges did you face during 2023? What did your Collective learn? How did you change or grow?

The volunteer capacity of the comrades involved was a continuous limiting factor to our progress in the purchasing and distribution of the needed goods to affected residents. Our own struggle to survive through our working-class jobs, chronic illness and disabilities, and obligations elsewhere – proved to be a challenge to overcome. Similarly, the logistical capacity of the organizations and businesses in East Palestine to receive and distribute the goods was also a limiting factor. The massive amount of bottled water that we were able to procure from outside the affected area was particularly logistically challenging.

In terms of the amount of funds collected, we set up this project expecting merely a few thousand dollars to be donated. When it kept climbing, and especially when $50,000 was donated, we were fraught with how to best utilize the funds to have the most impact in terms of meeting the needs of the affected residents of East Palestine. Open Collective’s rules on expenditures, limits on virtual card use, etc. were consistently challenging – but not impossible -- to navigate around. We thank the Open Collective Foundation team for their assistance when these problems arose!
 
What are your plans for 2024? Anything exciting coming up?

This coming year is setting out to be worse off than the past few. SARS-CoV-2 is still regularly killing over 1,000 Americans a day while the economy was forced “back to normal”, the U.S. government continues contributing billions to fund Israel’s genocide of Palestinians, and the Earth just momentarily peaked over 2.0ºC in global daily temperature, to name but a few things inflicted on society by the ruling class. We will continue fighting for our collective liberation from these and from our oppressors. We will continue building the relationships, community, and people power needed to be successful in our fight.