State Senator Beth Liston

A message from our Senate Democratic Caucus:

To our fellow Ohioans who are outraged about the recent attacks on our neighbors and invasions into our communities, we share your anger.

We join the many other Ohioans calling on Governor Mike DeWine and U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno to urge and work with the administration to extend Temporary Protected Status for the Haitian community in Ohio.

Ohio does best when we choose compassionate, practical solutions over disruption. Allowing people who are already here, contributing and following the law, to continue working would strengthen our communities and keep our local economies on solid footing.

As we soon expect a surge in ICE activity in Ohio, we encourage you to look out for your neighbors and know your rights.

Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights to assemble, express your views through protest, and record and document federal agents performing their duties under the U.S. Constitution.

Our offices are available to hear your concerns. As we work to ensure proper oversight and transparency measures are supported through state authorities, we are willing and able to connect members of the public with immigration resources and legal assistance.

I am hearing reports of increased ICE present throughout Columbus right now. https://www.ohiosenate.gov/news/the-democratic-standard/immigration-rights-and-resources

Vaccines save lives. Columbus Public Health will be hosting a Measles vaccine clinic in New Albany this weekend to help protect the community from the current measles outbreak.

I have cancelled a planned legislative trip to Israel. My hope had been to learn and ask tough questions of the Israeli government actions, particularly related to humanitarian aide in Gaza. I am grateful to the constituents who helped me see the harm of this approach.

As a minority member in the Ohio legislature, much of my effectiveness is in committee asking questions - with the goal of pointing out issues and improving policy. It was this I had in mind as part of the Ohio delegation on this trip. In preparation, I studied history books, news articles, NGO publications, and congressional reports. I met with Jewish and Palestinian consituents to arm myself against biased one-sided perspectives, and with a list of things to ask.

What I decided was that I didn't just need to guard against propaganda. I WAS the propaganda in this sponsored trip. I did not want to be used as a tool in support of the Israeli goverment actions. I cancelled the trip.

If you emailed, called or otherwise reached out to me. THANK YOU. I believe this is how democracy is supposed to work. We are indeed better when we work together.