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Winding up 2025

Winding up 2025

Hello CRAGgys,

Together we have reached 2026 with our ethical compass intact. Phew. That is a win in itself, but there have been many more as we build an enduring movement to build a democratic, healthy, and just world.

A list of our local actions is below, but the most important action of all is that we have come together. Our diverse, multi-generational, multi-interest community groups are acting locally, regionally, and nationally to confront a common threat and to build a better future. Authoritarianism threatens our freedoms, economic well-being, health and food security. Our government does not represent us when it kidnaps our neighbors, starves children, attacks our allies, accelerates climate chaos, glorifies dictators, and rewards corruption.

Thank you! Keweenaw Indivisible, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy (KATO), AWAVE, Lake Superior Region Indivisible, Keweenaw Queers, Houghton County Dems, Baraga Dems, Keweenaw Mutual Aid Committee, Keweenaw Socialists at MTU, League of Women Voters, as well and colleagues across the UP and Michigan, and supporters far and wide.

Wishing you all a fantastic and empowered 2026!

Demonstrations, actions, and successes in 2025:

  • Bergman(less) Towns Halls, Houghton March 18 and April 22; also in Marquette, Escanaba, Oscoda, Traverse City, and The Soo.
  • Hands Off, April 5
  • NO KINGS, April 19th
  • Good Trouble Rally, July 17
  • Support our National Parks, August 23
  • Labor Day: Workers Over Billionaires, September 1
  • No KINGS 2.0, October 19th
  • Flock cameras voted down in Baraga County, vote indefinitely(?) postponed in Hancock
  • Defeat of "only two sexes" resolution in Houghton County with amazing show of community power, December 9
  • Weekly actions for Ukraine, Palestine, and Peace and Justice (Marquette)
  • AWAVE sessions on retired military views, and on data centers
  • Know your Rights training, September 25
  • Stronger Together Medical Debt Buy-out, July 29
  • Health Care for All Town Hall, October 12
  • Food Drive, November
  • and many, many other everyday actions by allies across the UP and MI-01.

We have accomplished so much! A year ago nobody would have predicted our force in this small corner of the country. And we are an essential link in the chain of thousands of groups organizing across the country, and joining with international defenders of democracy.

I'm looking forward to strengthening our collaborative efforts in 2026.

Every action you do, from supporting a food bank to organizing a rally, brings us together. Well, almost every action; doom-scrolling and doom-posting don't count as actions, they are designed to trap us in isolated inaction rather than empowering action. In 2026 let's all commit to spending more time with in-person efforts to improve the world.

Emma's Community Calendar

Emma J is doing a fabulous job promoting local community events.

Connecting with our neighbors is the foundation of organizing for change. Show up, listen, ask what people are concerned about, share your opinions, invite people to a meeting, town hall, or rally.

Be compassionate with people who are questioning the lies they have been told. See below for a "Leaving MAGA" resource.

The Beginnings

CRAG started early in 2025 with a call for a spontaneous protest on February 5th. It continued with plea to show up at your local meetings of government officials, in a later email.

Our success in defeating the Houghton "two sexes" proposal demonstrated our power when we show up in those places. Our next challenge is to move from blocking bad actions to advocating for policies that benefit our community. What is your New Year's wish for the Copper Country? Let's get it on the agenda!

When and Where to Speak UP

Check the calendar for details.

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

Some notable issues coming up:

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.

January 4

  • Houghton County work session, 10 am
  • Arvon Township, 6pm

January 7

  • Hancock City Council, 6 pm

January 8

  • Baraga Township, 6 pm

Why and how to attend local meetings

Upcoming actions

January 10, Marquette: Candlelight vigil for the disappeared and the unlawfully detained, starting at 7pm, in Marquette. Music, speakers and meditation. Candles will be supplied (or bring your own). Register at Mobilize.

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

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

Michigan

Leaving MAGA resource

Here's an interesting site by former MAGA folks that might help people speaking with friends and relatives. It includes a guide on reconciliation, stories of formaer MAGA true believers, and a support group. I'd be curious if anyone finds this useful.

visiting fox

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

🎉 🎉 Happy 2026!!! 🎉 🎉

Stay Well

Sarah

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Jamie Larson
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