Happy Independence Day

Hello CRAGgys!

This week is a good time to review some key elements of the founding documents of the United States, our "Charters of Freedom": the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.

Charters of Freedom

Here are some of my favorite passages from the Constitution and the Bill of Rights (emphases mine).

We are seeing attacks on the fundamental freedoms and tenets of democracy enshrined in these documents.

We the People

Democracy is under threat. On June 14th, 2025 a group of scientists, philosophers, writers, artists and citizens of the world drafted and signed A Century Later: A Renewed Open Letter Against the Return of Fascism (excerpt):

In the past two decades we have witnessed a renewed wave of far-right movements, often bearing unmistakably fascist traits: attacks on democratic norms and institutions, a reinvigorated nationalism laced with racist rhetoric, authoritarian impulses, and systematic assaults on the rights of those who do not fit a manufactured traditional authority, rooted in religious, sexual and gender normativity. These movements have re-emerged across the globe, including in long-standing democracies, where widespread dissatisfaction with political failure to address mounting inequalities and social exclusion has once again been exploited by new authoritarian figures. True to the old fascist script, under the guise of an unlimited popular mandate, these figures undermine national and international rule of law, targeting the independence of the judiciary, the press, institutions of culture, higher education, and science; even attempting to destroy essential data and scientific information. They fabricate “alternative facts” and invent “enemies within”; they weaponise security concerns to entrench their authority and that of the ultra-wealthy 1%, offering privileges in exchange for loyalty.

Establish Justice

The Supreme Court has effectively prevented district judges from blocking unlawful actions by the president. The decision allows them to issue only local injunctions for clearly unconstitutional executive orders; they can now longer issue a national injunction.

Sotomayor wrote that “by stripping federal courts” of their extensive injunctive powers, the supreme court “kneecaps the Judiciary’s authority to stop the Executive from enforcing even the most unconstitutional policies” (The Guardian, July 2, 2025)

Further politicizing the justice department, it now has a "weaponization working group" advised by a January 6th rioter.

Promote the general Welfare

The big, bad, bombshell, BS, billionaire budget bill promotes the welfare of the top 1%. It is the most regressive bill ever to pass the house, and the senate version is worse. It shamelessly promotes benefits like no-taxes on tips (which expire in a few years), while the worst cuts kick in after the midterm elections.

Some of us think the general welfare includes healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy research system to support them. Employees at EPA and NIH have signed Declarations of Dissent warning of the dangers of undermining science-based decisions. The National Science Foundation is being ordered to select projects based on political aims, not merit.

Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity

See above letter on the return of fascism.

Establishment of religion

Right-wing preacher Ralph Drollinger has the ear of congress through weekly bible study classes. The classes teach that only the church show serve as a social safety net: “Scripture does not support the idea of governments taking from the rich to meet the needs of the poor.”

On Flag Day a Christian nationalist "Appeal to Heaven" flag was flown over a federal agency.

Abridging the freedom of the press

Attorney General Pam Bondi is threatening CNN for reporting on an app that help people find out where ICE agents are. Meanwhile, Paramount (which owns CBS) has just paid the extortionist $16 million to buy its way out of an absurd lawsuit that claimed "60 Minutes" made Kamala Harris look too smart.

June saw a huge increase in direct assaults on journalists, in parallel with ongoing verbal threats from the White House.

Right of the people peaceably to assemble

The military was deployed in LA to threaten protests that were largely peaceful and were being well managed by local authorities.

But, we the people are peaceably assembling everywhere anyway! Remember NO KINGS! We'll do it again!

All persons born or naturalized in the United States

and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States

An odious executive order is trying to overturn the 14th amendment establishing birthright citizenship. This order has been ruled blatantly unconstitutional by three judges, but is in limbo after the supreme court ruled that district courts cannot issue a national injunction. Class action suits are being filed.

The administration has floated the idea of striping citizenship from Zohran Mamdani after he won the democratic primary in New York.

Rules that allowed the U.S. to revoke citizenship of Nazis who lied on their applications are being re-imagined as political cudgels to intimidate naturalized Americans.

Due process of law and equal protection

ICE. Masked agents kidnapping people from their homes and workplaces and deporting them to foreign prisons certainly undermines any notion of due process.

The United State has opened a concentration camp in Florida, while the Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus is under threat from a Secretary of Homeland Security who doesn't know what it means.

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied

The SAVE act would add an entirely unnecessary documentation requirement to voter verification. Non-citizens already cannot vote and have zero incentive to try. The effect of the SAVE act would be to disenfranchise citizens who lack the time and wherewithal to track down extra documentation.

Grift, emoluments, bribery.

The swamp of grift is spreading so far and wide that no one person can track its flow. The NYT reviewed what is known about DJT's personal finances in an article today, "Trump’s Finances Were Shaky. Then He Began to Capitalize on His Comeback." It's clear that the Trump family is profiting mightily from the presidency.

Since the launch of their crypto business, World Liberty Financial, in January, the Trump family has accumulated over $7 billion from it. Crypto serves as a currently unregulated method for unsavory actors to pump money directly into the president's pocket. The largest investors in the scheme are a United Arab Emirates fund ($100 million), shifty Chinese billionaire Justin Sun ($75 million), and convicted money launderer, Changpeng Zhao, who is seeking a pardon from DJT.

Seth Abramson suggests that the decades long effort to expand the Trump business empire into the Middle East was a prime motivation for the attacks on Iran.

Fighting Back

We the people are fighting back!

Good Trouble Lives On: July 17th

Houghton MotorMarch, 3:00 PM — 6:00 PM EDT, organized by Keweenaw Indivisible

While many of us have been distracted by the budget bill, New York has shown us what people-centered politics can look like. Zohran Mamdani overcame money-based politics with the radical action of listening to the concerns of real people in his city. Our challenge is to expand, adapt, and refine his methods and messages for local communities across the country.

As Bernie Sanders is saying (April 4th, 2025):

And don't get discouraged! The Declaration of Independence is an inspiration of how determined people can remake government. Let's imagine a better future into being!

Actions and requests

• July 4th, Marquette. Lake Superior Indivisible will have a float in the Marquette parade. Starting at 2 pm.

• July 17th, 3:00 PM — 6:00 PM EDT: Good Trouble Lives On: Houghton MotorMarch, organized by Keweenaw Indivisible
• Reminder: Decline to Sign. Watch out for anti-voter rights petitions. Two groups are about to start soliciting signatures to add repressive "proof of citizenship" language to the Michigan constitution. DO NOT SIGN THESE PETITIONS.
• Instead, look for the Raked Choice Voting petitions that are coming soon.

Notes from recent meetings

I spoke at the Calumet Township meeting on June 26th to explain how the budget bill will hurt local residents.

Places to engage next week

Multiple boards and councils are meeting the week of July 6th. Check the calendar for details.

Many government actions threaten our local communities. Speak up!

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

Events and meetings

The CALENDAR has details on events. Please send your events.
I have started a list of Pro-democracy organizations in the UP with contact information. (Please share additions and corrections.)

Ongoing:

Details are on the CALENDAR.

Houghton/Hancock

• Yoopers for Ukraine Rally at the bridge Wednesdays at 5 pm (correction).
• Keweenaw Indivisible meets alternate Tuesdays, from June 10th, 6-8 pm at the KUUF
• “Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
• 3rd Wednesday, 6 pm HC Dems April Meet-up.
• 4th Wednesdays AWAVE, 6 pm. Gathering at UU Fellowship Houghton.
• 3rd Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy Monthly Action Committee (KATO). Please register at the link to help with the headcount.

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.

Albatross

It's an Albatross! (Is it snowing in New Zealand??)

Thanks for all your support

Stay Well

Sarah