CRAG: midweek notes, April 30

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

1. Various mid-week notes
2. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
3. Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDAR
4. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping
5. 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. Various mid-week notes
It's a slow week for local meetings with just two on the calendar, the library board tonight and South Range Township tomorrow. And also a May Day Rally and March at the Bridge.
So, I'm taking some time away form the computer during this intermittent spring to sort out my garden and watch a family of fox kits.
A potpourri of miscellaneous items today:

• My brother has a piece in Time magazine about how in 3 months Trump has squandered the leverage the U.S. had to end the war in Ukraine.
• Letters to the editor:
  • "Trump Administration suppression of First Amendment rights" by Dr. Matthew Brandow, in The Mining Journal.
  • Mutual pledge to each other
 by Ron Mattson, The Mining Journal.
• I have posted my comments to the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees over on Substack; most of my statements at public meetings are also in the CRAG archive.
• CDC declines to investigate lead poisoning in Milwaukee schools because that program has been eliminated.

Good news and fighting back:

• Videos:
  • Governor Pritzker’s speech in New Hampshire, full speech, short MSMBC clip
  • Senator Warren on 100 days of corruption (video)
• Iceland has successfully implemented a 4-day, 36-hour work week for 90% of workers, with no loss in pay.

2. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
We are trying to get someone to speak up at every possible local meeting.
How can we get you out to your township/county/other meetings?
Eleven events are on the CALENDAR this week (see below).

• 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!

Only two meeting next week:

• April 30
  • 7 pm, Portage Lake District Library
• Thursday, May 1
  • 6 pm, Village of South Range

Next Week

• Monday, May 5
  • 6 pm, Arvon Township
• Wednesday, May 7
  • 6 pm, Stanton Township

Then a big week:

• 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
  • noon, Schoolcraft Township
  • 3 pm, Houghton County
  • 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.

3. Events and meetingsSee CALENDAR link for details on events.
Next Bergman Actions

• Where's Jack FB page
• May 17, Town Hall Oscoda

Upcoming

• May 1: International Workers' Day. 6 pm at the Bridge.
• May 3 but buy tickets now HC Dems Spring Fling Fundraiser
• May 10, 11:15-2, register for lunch by May 2, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country Annual meeting. Guest speaker Lisa Nelson, on Ranked Choice Voting; RSVP for lunch or zoom link to [mmmacha@mtu.edu](malto: mmmacha@mtu.edu).

Ongoing (you can have a date every Wednesday!):

• 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.
• Unpack and Unwind” 2nd Wednesdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm; Hampton Hotel on the seventh floor (accessible with elevator). A casual space to share ideas, vent, ask questions, and connect with others over progressive thoughts and curiosity.
• 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.

4. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping

• This list now includes 238 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

5. 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. Now with a longer view to watch them start their journey out of the nest box.

Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah

Marquette protest: