CRAG Note April 7

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

1. Awesome Turn out for Keweenaw Hands Off!
2. Info note: Head Start in Michigan
3. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
4. Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDAR

“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. (h/t CW)=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
1. Awesome Turn out for Keweenaw Hands Off!Fantastic job organizing Keweenaw Indivisible! Thank you!
One estimate of the turnout was 400-500 people. (Did anyone count?) At the high end, assuming a person every 4 feet on both sides of the lift bridge, which is 1,310 feet long, would be over 600 people.
Please share your photos!
The Guardian covered the global protests; TV6 also covered it (though with an absurd quote from the 1st district republican party chair claiming we were all paid, lol).
Distill Social covered the Michigan protests on Subtack. We were one of 55 Hands Off events in Michigan.
2. Info note: Head Start in MichiganHead Start federal office serving Michigan shuts without notice. Head Start is federally funded and operated locally. These regional offices help match the funding to local needs.
Responsibilities of the regional offices include "grant oversight and funding distribution, program monitoring and compliance, and providing training and technical assistance." - Michigan Head Start Association.
Local enrollment in Head Start programs:

• Baraga County: 144
• Houghton County: 293
• Keweenaw County: 12

Here's the breakdown by program for Houghton County (some kids are in more than one program):


For perspective, in 2024 the entire budget for the federal Child Care and Development Fund, which includes Head Start, was $12.3B, which is about 3% of Elon Musk's wealth (or 0.03 ElonUnits).

3. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDARWe are trying to get someone 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."
As examples, my statements to all bodies are posted on Substack. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
Week of April 6:

• UPDATED: April 7, 4 pm Baraga County (note updated date and time)
• April 8, 12:30 pm Schoolcraft Township
• April 8, 1:00 pm Keweenaw National Historic Park
• April 8, 3:00 pm Houghton County Commissioners
  • Meals on Wheels, is requesting a millage. Craig W has collected a lot of info on this; please ask if you'd like me to forward it.
• April 9, 4 pm, L'Anse Township
• April 9, 5:30 pm, Houghton City Council
• April 9, 6 pm, Osceola Township

Week of April 13th:

• April 14, 5 pm, Adams Township
• April 14, 6 pm, Portage Township
• April 14, 7 pm, Hancock Township
  • Beth F. is speaking on a resolution proposal
• April 14, 10 am, Houghton Country- special meeting on the jail
• April 14, 11 pm??? Franklin Township; can someone check this? https://sites.google.com/prod/view/franklin-township/calendar?authuser=0

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

4. Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDARHoughton County Jail info sessions this week:

• Monday - Hancock, 5th and Elm 6pm
• Wednesday - Alston/Pelkie, Laird Township Hall, 6:30pm
• Thursday - Calumet Township Hall, 6:00 pm

Mark the date:

• April 22nd, 6:30 pm. Second Houghton Bergman(less) Town Hall

Ongoing:

• Yoopers for Ukraine march on the bridge, Wed at 5.
• “Unpack and Unwind” Second 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. No agenda. No group. Just open minds and good vibes. Drop in, speak up, or just listen—whatever feels right.
• AWAVE 4th Wednesdays. Gathering at 5th and Elm, Hancock.
• Houghton County Dems meet every first Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.

Join:

• The "Where's Jack" team has been mobilizing across MI-01. They have a FB page. Link up with Keweenaw Indivisible to contribute.
• Join local Keweenaw Indivisible here. This group is actively planning multiple activities; volunteers with enthusiasm and/or talents can contribute.
• Lake Superior Region Indivisible has formed in Marquette. Contact them at lsrindivisible@gmail.com.
• AWAVE has a private Facebook group. Contact awave-up@proton.me for info.
• Several groups, including CRAG, have Signal groups (yes, that app, we don't invite high ranking officials). Reach out if you'd like to join.

Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah