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Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

Hello CRAGgys,

I haven't vanished, I've just been enjoying blissfully angst-free break in Canada 🇨🇦. We spent several days in Montreal and are currently meandering home across Ontario. CRAG missives will also be scarce in mid-November when I'll be attending the international climate conference, COP30, in Belém, Brazil.

The simultaneous dismantling and undermining of our support systems for people and government makes it difficult to focus on effective actions. At the local level, the loss of SNAP benefits is a visible sign of the cruelty of the republican administration.

Hunger in Michigan

Please remind people that the republican government shut down did not cause this crisis, only exacerbated it. The Big Ugly Billionaire Benefit Budget Bill, written and passed by republicans, contained the largest cuts to SNAP in the history of the program.

Onerous new work requirements for veterans, people who recently left foster-care, parents of 14 year-olds kids, kick in on November 1st (excellent summary here). Other hoop-jumping requirements are designed to make people lose benefits; that's how the bill "saves" money that can be redirected to billionaire tax cuts. Please remind people that Jack Bergman voted for these cuts.

The government shut-down has just accelerated the pain by benefits by abruptly (and illegally) blocking payments to states. As I said in my recent letter to the DMG:

The shutdown is not caused by Democrats. Republicans are in charge of the Presidency, Congress, and the Senate. They could re-open the government any time they wish.
Republicans, including our own Rep Jack Bergman, passed a uni-partisan Big, Bad, Budget Bill, that strips health care support from millions of middle and low income people, and drastically cuts Medicaid, SNAP, and other social programs, while increasing the deficit and expanding handouts to billionaires. Unlike Republicans, Democrats are responding to the 75% of citizens who want the ACA Marketplace tax credits to continue. If Republicans are so determined to double premiums for their constituents, they should again use their power to bulldoze over their constituents. And we will use ours to bulldoze them out of office at the ballot box.

All of this has direct impacts on people in our communities. Here are a few numbers:

In Michigan’s First Congressional District, which covers all of the Upper Peninsula and most of the northern Lower Peninsula, 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports that 42,670 households — around 12% of all households in the district — participate in SNAP. Many participating households include children (35.6%), elderly (40.3%) or those with a disability (55.6%). Petoskey News Review

Local country numbers are: Houghton 9.3%; Keweenaw 10%; Ontonogon 12.3%; Baraga 13.0%; Iron County 15.3%; and Gogebic (purported home of Jack Bergman) 17.4%. State average 13.6%. Detroit Free Press.

Food banks are trying to fill the gap, but as Phil Knight, executive director of the Food Bank Council of Michigan, commented “Asking charity to be the safety net to the government safety net? It’s just back-ass-ward to me". Michigan Advance

Keweenaw Indivisible is mobilizing to help local food banks. Contact them to get involved.

At the state level, Michigan has joined 23 states in a lawsuit to force release of SNAP funds. The state cannot use its own funds to cover the gap: "The USDA has notified states that, despite their willingness, states cannot cover the cost of benefits and be reimbursed." November SNAP benefits FAQ

Flock Cameras

Flock cameras are on the agenda again Hancock City Council, Wednesday, November 5, 6 pm. Please show up to express your opinion.

I've seen a lot of alarming news about FLOCK cameras; here's a selection:

Ongoing reminder: Michigan Statewide Petitions

At least SIX petitions are being circulated for proposals to go on the 2026 ballot. Bridge Michigan has a good summary; others may be added. Check local farmers' markets for petition collectors.

    • YES (if you are eligible.):
    • NO! Decline to Sign. Watch out for the anti-voter rights petitions that seek to add repressive "proof of citizenship" language to the Michigan constitution:
        • Americans for Citizen Voting- DO NOT SIGN
        • Committee to Protect Voters Rights - DO NOT SIGN
        • AxMITax, The AxMITax proposal seeks to eliminate all property taxes in Michigan, shift the tax burden to regressive sales tax, and make it harder to raise any other taxes in the future - DO NOT SIGN
    • Important: keep track of which petitions you have signed. Do not sign the same one twice.

When and Where to Speak UP

Check the calendar for details.

Some key upcoming meetings:

  • Houghton County Commissioners, Tuesday, October 14, 6 pm.
    • They will discuss a resolution opposing the state cuts to county budgets, which also require counties to shift resources to law enforcement budgets. See p. 19 of the comm packet.
  • Hancock City Council, Wednesday, November 5, 6 pm. FLOCK Camera are on the agenda for Hancock City Council:
Hancock is considering purchasing Flock license plate-reading cameras after Baraga County wisely rejected them. 404 Media found that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has access to data collected by this system. To share your view, attend the next Hancock City Council meeting, Wednesday, October 15 at 6 pm

Some public body meets somewhere every single week; take 30 minutes to show up and express your opinion. (Sample statements.) And let me know if you go and what you learn.

Remember, this is a long process. Showing up multiple times builds trust and demonstrates to people with diverse viewpoints that you don't have horns.

Why and how to attend local meetings

Organizational Meetings

Details are on the CALENDAR. (Please send updates, check to confirm.) These groups are all very welcoming. Drop by a meeting to connect with friendly faces. Any level of engagement contributes to making our world better.

Houghton/Hancock

Baraga

  • Baraga County Democrats, 3rd Tuesdays at 6 pm, L'Anse Township Hall

Marquette

  • Every Tuesday evening at 7pm, Yoopers Unite, a gathering of local pro-democracy groups, at LoveMarq Church, 728 W. Kaye Ave, Marquette.
  • 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.
  • Join Lake Superior Region Indivisible

📎 Paper Clip Protest 📎

It's a thing! Wear a paper clip, cheap, easy, recognizable. Know your tribe. Inspired by the Norwegian resistance during WWII. Promoted by Ollie and Janice Pedersen, and E. Jean Carroll, and recently amplified by Joyce Vance.

Squirrels in the rafters at the Mount Royale Chalet,

Thanks for your patience with intermittent posting for a while.

Thanks for all your support and all your efforts to support and expand freedom, justice and democracy!

Stay Well

Sarah

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Jamie Larson
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