Summer!
Hello CRAGgys!
Please continue sharing what you're learning, connecting with allies, and passing on tips on local impacts or concerns.
NO KINGS recap
NO KINGS organizers across the US are thrilled at the turnout of some 5 million demonstrators across the country on Saturday. Joan shared some pictures from Marquette. And the NO KINGS organizers have videos from around the country and a What's Next session.
Here in the Copper Country, Keweenaw Indivisible's Bridgefest float was widely praised as the best in the parade. It featured a corrupt prince hording his stash with armed knights, while Robin Hood and his Merry Band distributed candy to the people. KI also hosted an active table at Bridgefest, as did the HC Dems, LWV, and Yoopers for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, it was a dreary, sad day in Washington, with even right wing media reporting that it was a tedious, low energy affair.
Michigan House
Apparently, Michigan Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) canceled sessions in Lansing this week so republican legislators could attend the sad DC parade. Though, it might be a good thing if the MI House republicans stop working as their latest proposals are to cut school meals for 850,000 Michigan kids, and support cuts to SNAP and Medicaid that are in Washington's Big, Bad, Budget Bombshell.
Federal grants for substance abuse and recovery have been terminated leaving Michigan over 30% short ($93M) in expected funding so far this year. A drug treatment program in the Eastern UP may shut down and a $6.2 million treatment facility under construction in The Soo just had its $3 million grant pulled.
Domestic Terrorism in the Midwest
We are all shocked at the deadly attacks in Minnesota by a Trump supporter who claims to be a devout Christian.
Yesterday, Sophie and Colin Hortman, the children of the slain Melissa and Mark Hortman, released a statement on behalf of their family, saying, in part:
“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.”
If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
- Plant a tree.
- Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
- Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
- Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
- Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
- Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
- Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
This tragedy is a reminder that non-violence must continue to be a core value of anti-Trump protests.
The NO KINGS protests have been remarkably non-violent and it's critical that they remain so, even, and especially, when the opposition becomes violent. Indeed, shows of force by the government, like the military in LA, are an indication that our movement is having an impact and is threatening the powerful. Pod Save America also has a good episode with Chenoweth.
Action tools: The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) has many free resources on nonviolent action.
Stronger Together: A Fundraiser to Wipe Out Medical Debt in our Community
Keweenaw Indivisible has embarked on an awesome project to wipe out medical debt across MI-01. UnDueMedicalDebt buys debt for pennies on the dollar and forgives it. This is an amazing opportunity to have a direct, positive impact in our community.
Please contribute and attend the fundraiser Tuesday, July 29th, from 6:00-9:00 at Small Craft in Hancock.
Actions and requests
- Continue to register your opinion on the big, bad, bombshell, billionaire, budget bill. It's now in the Senate, which could stop many of the worst parts, but is so far indicating that they won't. Use 5 Calls to easily contact Senators Slotkin and Peters.
- Line 5 Tunnel Comments to the Army Corps, which is accelerating approval of this boondoggle (closes June 30th). Link in this article.
- 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.
NOTES from recent meetings
I spoke at Laurium Village on Tuesday, where I discussed cuts to Medicaid and potential impacts on the local Aspirus Hospital.
Places to engage and topics for this week
Only a few meetings are coming up next week: L'Anse Village, Houghton City Council, Calumet Township, and the Portage Lake District Library (details on the calendar).
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
CRAG started with a plea for people to get out to talk to our local public officials. The crisis in democracy spans the spectrum from the very top down to local voters who elected them. Let me know your views and experiences about why local democracy is critical.
Lots of opportunities next week calendar; view in browser for the embedded version. (sorry, it doesn't show up in email.)
Hints on using the calendar: switch view format on the upper right, download a pdf with the 🖨️ icon, upper left. Select subcalendars (meetings, demos, etc) with >> on the upper left.
How can we get you out to your township/county/other meetings?
Small township meetings are often only 30 minutes long. Check the the CALENDAR for one near you.
- We can help:
- Pair you with a buddy 👬;
- Guidance in preparing remarks. (but just saying a few words from your heart is fine.)
- Fact sheets on your township (demographics, recent federal funding, number of people on Medicaid, etc).
- What else can we do? Childcare? Transportation 🚌? Lollipops 🍭? Let me know!
Events and meetings
The CALENDAR has details on events.
A list of Pro-democracy organizations in the UP has contact information. (Please share additions and corrections.)
Ongoing:
Details are on the CALENDAR.
It's time to thank Frank for allowing groups to meet in the Orpheum Theater; with their switch to summer hours many will be meeting elsewhere. Please confirm locations.
- 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. 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 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.
Kestrels
All five kestrel chicks take flight! Video on the KestrelCam.
Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah