CRAG: Actions for Week of May 11

Hello CRAGgy Friends, Welcome new people! (join here)

1. Two action items: for this week
2. News
3. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
4. Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDAR
5. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping
6. Owls!

“Today, right now—and I mean right this second—you have the most power you’ll ever have in the current fight against authoritarianism in America. If you wait to speak out, you have already lost.” Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, April, 2025

“It is not shameful to do little.  It is shameful to do nothing.” Alexie Navalny (1978-2024), Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner.

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1. Two action items: for this week

Meetings:

A. Check the CALENDAR and pick a local meeting to attend.

and

B. Submit a comment to oppose schedule F to support federal employees. (See below under news.)

2. News

• Federal workers:
  • A judge has ruled that the administration "must temporarily halt its sweeping government overhaul because Congress did not authorize it to carry out large-scale staffing cuts and the restructuring of agencies" The Guardian. This is good news for now, and is another step in the ongoing wrestling about limits to presidential power.
  • A long-term threat to the government workforce is "Schedule F". This law would convert a huge number of positions to political appointees. Employees would become "at will," and could be hired or fired based on the whim of the president rather than their expertise and experience.
  • *** ---> More info and Action you can take to oppose schedule F by Don Moynihan. Another summary by Adam Klasfeld. You can submit a comment to the federal registry (anonymously, if you like) and you can see submitted comments there for examples.
    ---> Deadline is May 23. <---
  • Assistance for Federal workers: National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. (via letter to the Mining Journal)
• The Rule of Law news: A local CRAGgy friend has shared this letter to AG Dana Nessel about the executive order that interferes with local control over police forces.
  • Dear Ms. Nessel, I am a resident of Hancock, MI. I am writing to you to express my grave concern about the content of the Executive Order of April 28, 2025 entitled "Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement to Pursue Criminals and Protect Innocent Citizens." I believe this EO has the potential to seriously undermine the democratic rights of Michigan's citizens.As I read it, the EO aims to:This is deeply disturbing for those of us who believe that police forces should be accountable to their local communities and should endeavor to use the minimum amount of force possible in the course of their law enforcement duties. I urge you to join with other Attorneys General to seek a federal court injunction blocking as many of these dangerous provisions as possible.
    • militarize local police forces;
    • render them unaccountable for civil rights abuses, both past and future;
    • prosecute local and state-level officials who try to keep the police in check.
  • The Legal Defense Fund describes the implications of this EO.
• Inspiration:
  • Excellent column by Eric Cadeau, in The Mining Journal: "A reply to U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman’s statement of 'it’s not what you’re against. What are you for? Show us what you’re for and then let’s have a dialogue'”.
  • VolunteerBlue sponsored an awesome on-line event with Heather Cox Richardson, Massachusetts AG Andrea Campbell, and Rep Jamie Raskin; the video is posted.
  • An article on the May Day March is posted on Keweenaw Now.
  • Rank MI Vote is working on a ballot initiative to implement Raked Choice Voting in Michigan. Check the RankMIVote web site to learn more and support this nonpartisan effort.

3. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR

We want to get a CRAGgy person to speak up at every possible local meeting. Stand up, say your piece How are government actions affecting you? How do they hurt your community? You don't have to say a lot; some people just say a sentence or two "I'm worried about Medicaid cuts"; "I don't want Elon Musk having access to my private data."

Upcoming meetings:

• Monday, May 12
  • 5 pm, Baraga County
  • 6 pm, Adams Township
  • 6 pm, Portage Township
  • 6 pm, L'Anse Village
  • 7 pm, Hancock Township
  • 7 pm, Franklin Township
• Tuesday, May 13
  • *** 10 am, Houghton County. Note early meeting time. Voting on the jail millage; the LWV has info on the options.
    • On the agenda: Approval of Ballot Date(s):
      • a. Canal View (Renewal)
      • b. Meals on Wheels: Elder Nutrition
      • c. Houghton County Justice Center (JAIL)
  • noon, Schoolcraft Township
  • 6 pm, Quincy Township
  • 6 pm, Baraga Village
• Wednesday, May 14
  • 4 pm, L'Anse Township
  • 5:30 pm, Houghton City Council
  • 6 pm, Chassell Township
  • 6:30 pm, Laird Township
• Thursday, May 15
  • 6 pm, Elm River Township

When and where does your local city or township board meet? Let me know. Thanks to those who have shared.

How can we get you out to your township/county/other meetings?
Lots of events are on the CALENDAR for the week of May 11.

• We can help:
  • Pair you with a buddy;
  • Guidance in preparing remarks; As examples, my statements to all bodies are posted in an archive. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
  • Factsheet on your township;
  • What else can we do? Childcare? Transportation? Lollipops? Let me know!

4. Events and meetings

See CALENDAR link for details on events.

• Tuesday, May 27, 6 pm. "How to run for local office"
• June 14th. No Kings protests nation-wide. This date is Bridgefest in Houghton. The LWV and Keweenaw Indivisible are both planning flats in the parade. Contact these organizations to contribute.

Ongoing:

• Yoopers for Ukraine Rally at the bridge Wednesdays at 5 pm (correction).
• “Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
• 3rd Wednesday, 6 pm HC Dems April Meet-up, 5th and Elm.
• 4th Wednesdays AWAVE. Gathering at Orpheum Theater, Hancock.
• 3rd Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy Monthly Action Committee (KATO), Orpheum Theater. Please register at the link to help with the headcount.
• Marquette: Every Saturday morning from 11:30-12:30, between 40 - 80 people have been assembling at the Marquette Post Office, standing in support with long-established Citizens for Peace & Justice.

5. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping

• This list now includes 241 people.
• I posted an overview of CRAG goals and history on April 13th.
• Why Local Action for Democracy
  • btw, I'm a newcomer to this; the League of Women Voters and Houghton County Dems have been tracking local meetings and issues for years.
• I keep a CRAG CALENDAR of local meetings and events; please forward any additions or updates.
• Most of my statements at meetings are posted in the CRAG archive, along with these newsletter.
• This newsletter is available via RSS feed (copy link into your RSS reader): https://www.fireelon.net/1/feed

6. And Owls, again!

• For a break watch our local Great Horned owlets grow on the Owl Nest Cam, installed and maintained by Copper Country Bird Club. One is on the roof this morning!

Thanks for all your support

Stay Well

Sarah