IRTF News

Initiated in 2009, this in-person event at John Carroll University will bring together hundreds of fair trade supporters, advocates, retailers, and vendors from across the state.  Each year the Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In & Expo continues to build energy around the already vibrant Ohio fair trade movement. In addition to the Global Marketplace of fair trade vendors, we’ll host educational presentations and our Fair Trade Around the World program for kids. 

WHAT:     Ohio Fair Trade Teach-In & Expo 2025

WHERE:  John Carroll University, Dolan Science Center; University Heights (Cleveland), OH 44118

WHEN:    Saturday, October 4, 2025

TIME:      9am-2pm (attendees are welcome to come and go)

Register for the event (or list your organization as a co-sponsor) by clicking here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2025-ohio-fair-trade-expo-tickets-and-sponsorship

See and share the Facebook event here:

Thank you to our financial co-sponsors (list in formation): Beyond Borders, Church of the Gesu, Disciples Christian Church, Ignatian Solidarity Network, Margaret W. Wong & Associates, Sisters of the Humilty of Mary, The Market Path

Global Exchange and the Center for Democracy Studies (CESPAD) are organizing a joint national and international electoral observation mission in November 2025 for the Honduran general elections. Please consider applying and sharing with your listservs!!

to apply click here

How do we move towards a world without wars, weapons, police, prisons, the death penalty, and borders? How can we work towards our collective liberation, recognizing that oppressions are interconnected? Come to #NoWar2025 to explore how we can join in solidarity across movements and borders to abolish these interwoven systems and build a world based on common security — “no one is safe until all are safe.”

to register click here

Do you and your neighbors and co-workers know what to do if visited, questioned, or arrested by ICE? Do you know you can call the Ohio Immigration Hotline 419-777-HELP (4357) ? There’s also the Ohio National Lawyers Guild Hotline: (614) 654-6477

You can stay up-to-date every day on ICE activities, trends in apprehensions and detentions by following Austin Kocher on Substack https://substack.com/@austinkocher/posts

In northeast Ohio, you can reach out to irtf@irtfcleveland.org for educational resources and trainings for your workplace, congregation, or community group.

Consider your position in your community. What can you contribute to undocumented community members or migrant organizations?

Do you know any legal, mental health, social work professionals?

What about school employees?

We need EVERYONE to consider how they can mobilize support for vulnerable migrant families.

If you yourself don’t hold a professional position that is needed, consider this: Could serve as a first-call, point person for someone who is detained? Reach out to them to initiate a supportive conversation.  Are you positioned to do child pick-up and safeguarding? Well-connected with community orgs or professionally situated to help with legal, medical or other needs?

See the attached flyer for more resources and ways to get involved.