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Snowy February Thoughts

Snowy February Thoughts

Hello CRAGgys,

Stay safe as we get another dose of winter today.

Yoopers against ICE in Marinesco

and in favor of mental health care

A township meeting in Marinesco this week addressed the threat of an ICE detention center at the Ojibway Correctional Facility. The prison closed in 2018 after the Michigan prison population declined from over 51,000 to 39,000 (it's currently even lower, about 33,000). Our state representative, Greg Markkenen had submitted a resolution, HR 151, last August urging the federal government to purchase the facility.

About 100 people showed up on short notice when they heard the township planned to discuss the idea of an ICE facility. Several people from Keweenaw Indivisible traveled to the meeting, including Katie LaCross, who presented her alternate proposal to consider the site for a psychiatric hospital.

At least 25 people spoke, every single one of them opposed to an ICE detention center, and many in favor of mental health care. These passionate speakers represented a remarkable cross section of age and background from young parents to long-retired veterans. Many called ICE detention centers concentration camps, called out the illegal behavior of ICE, and emphasized the immigrant history of most of the UP population. Several mentioned that Alex Pretti had family ties to nearby Wakefield. This was a heartening display of the true values of Yoopers.

State Hospital White Paper
State_Hospital_White_Paper.pdf
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The detention center proposal seems unlikely to move forward–it never got out of committee.

But this is a great chance to advocate for something so much better, in Marinesco or at another suitable site. What you can do to advance the proposal for a psychiatric hospital in the Western UP. Tell your current and wanna-be representatives that better mental health services are a critical need in Michigan and the UP.

Line 5

While you are contacting Governor Whitmer, tell her what you think about Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline and proposed tunnel across the Mackinac Straits. The US Army Corps has released its environmental impact report. The report details some expected damages from the project, but does not mention damage to the climate.

USACE has removed this topic [climate] from consideration within the EIS consistent with EO 14154, Unleashing American Energy, and due to the recission of EO 14096, Revitalizing Our Nation's Commitment to Environmental Justice for All, EO 12898, Environmental Justice, EO 13990, Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis, EO 14007, President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, and EO 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.

Oil and Water Don't Mix has been tracking this issue since the beginning. Interestingly, the pipeline company, Enbridge, doesn't actually own the oil inside the pipe, Enbridge is just a transport company for various companies that own the fossil fuels.

The state can still block this folly. Contact Whitmer here.

NCAR

Speaking of climate, the administration is threatening to dismantle the premiere weather and climate entity in the US, if not the world. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) was established in 1960 and hosts the models and tools that the National Weather Service, private forecasters, and emergency managers rely on every day. It runs the CESM, one of the primary global climate models. Michigan Tech has ties with NCAR, including joint research projects and student career opportunities. I have used data compiled and archived by NCAR, and have collaborated with scientists there.

5-Calls has a section to call your Washington representatives and demand that they prevent NCAR from being broken up. (search for NCAR in 5-calls.)

Video about NCAR

How to help Minnesota

ICE and CBP action continues around Minnesota. And resistance continues as well. Check out the Singing Resistance.

Minnesota donation hub:

Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Foothold Twin Cities
Foothold Twin Cities is a Non-profit serving families in the greater metro area
Foothold Twin Cities

Hats and Crafts against ICE

The Guardian reports that anti-ICE hats are leading a wave of "rage knitting" inspired by historical Norwegian anti-Nazi headgear. Patterns from Ravelry.

Local Needs

  • Housing Aid (ongoing)

AWAVE and Keweenaw Indivisible are working with the Salvation Army to provide housing assistance. The Western UP does not have a homeless shelter. Please donate.

Local orgs are raising money to help our neighbors with housing-related issues such as utility bills and emergency shelter this winter. Please contribute if you are able! One-hundred percent of the proceeds will remain local and go towards supporting those experiencing housing insecurity or at risk of homelessness.

DONATE HERE

When and Where to Speak UP

Check the calendar for details.

Here's the list view of Elected Official Meetings: https://calendar.online/electedofficialmeetings.

If you want company, I will go with you. Drop me a line.

Last Monday I spoke off the cuff at the Hancock Township meeting in response to the Principles of Township Governance Excellence from the Michigan Townships Association, which was endorsed and signed by the board.

principles_of_township_governance_excellence_use
principles_of_township_governance_excellence_use.pdf
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Has your township signed this? Do you think other levels of government are following these principles?

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.

Houghton County Jail Committees

The 2026 jail project needs public input! You can show up and just observe one of the committees, or speak up! Details and schedules.

Why and how to attend local meetings

Events

  • February 22, Know Your Rights Training, at Michigan Tech, KATO leading.
  • Tuesday, February 24, 8:30 pm People's State of the Union, organized by Move On. Live Stream.
  • March 11, Meet the Candidates, who are asking to replace Rep Jack Bergman in Mi-01. Time and location TBD.
  • March 14-15. Keweenaw Youth for Climate Action (KYCA) and Campus Climate Network (CCN) are offering FREE training sessions! These trainings are focused to help students and activists learn how to run effective organizations and how to make a meaningful impact in your campaigns. More info and register here.
  • Mark your calendar: NO KINGS 3.0, March 28, 2026

Emma's February Community Calendar

Organizational Meetings

Details are on the CALENDAR. (Organizers: Please send updates when times, dates, locations change!) 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

  • Yoopers for Ukraine 🇺🇦 Rally at the bridge Sundays at 3 pm.
  • Keweenaw Indivisible meets 3rd Tuesdays, 6-8 pm (work groups at 6, general membership at 7) at the KUUF. (Join KI). [Note meeting has been shifted to accommodate the HoCo Commission, which meets on the 2nd Tuesdays.]
  • Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
  • 4th Wednesdays AWAVE, 6 pm. Gathering at KUU 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.

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.
  • Visibility Brigade Demonstrations take place regularly in Marquette and Ishpeming. Click here for information and to register through Mobilize.
  • Saturday Morning Demonstrations at the Post Office in Marquette: Members of Citizens for Peace and Justice, Lake Superior Region Indivisible, Yoopers Unite, area community members, friends and neighbors gather for a peaceful demonstration at the Marquette Post Office every Saturday from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm.
  • Subscribe for free to the Lake Superior Region Indivisible newsletter here. Contact LSRI at lsrindivisible@gmail.com

Michigan

Leaving MAGA resource

Be strong.

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

Stay safe,

Sarah

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