CRAG Missive, March 28th

Hello CRAGgy Friends,

Welcome new people! (join here)

1. Recap and thoughts
   
2. Help our neighbors in WI
   
3. Recommended reading
   
4. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
   
5. Events and meetings CALENDAR
   

“It is not shameful to do little.  It is shameful to do nothing.” Alexie Navalny (1978-2024), Russian opposition leader, anti-corruption activist, and political prisoner. (h/t CW)

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1. Recap and thoughtsMy first email to the list that became CRAG was sent on February 5th with the subject line "Spontaneous protest: Noon Wednesday, downtown Houghton". Since then, the list has grown to an amazing 193 subscribers. I am especially gratified that CRAGgy members have spoken up at more than 15 public meetings!
What we've learned:

• Local elected officials are not well informed about how the federal chaos is already affecting us.
  
  • For example, Baraga Country commissioners were not aware that the sea lamprey control program was being cut;
    
• Very few have considered long term repercussions;
  
• Most are very open to learning more and hearing from constituents;
  
  • more data and personal stories will help (thanks data team!).
    
• The few (2) people who have spoken in opposition have not actually been very opposed;
  
  • one opposition speaker actually finished a diatribe about how government is untrustworthy by agreeing with the preceding CRAG speakers that services should not be cut.
    
• Local council people can share problems they are encountering or worried about;
  
  • example: On order of Elon Musk, FEMA funds to pay for repairs from the Father's Day flood have been held up, affecting local budgets. "Michigan’s state emergency management agency [is] waiting on $112 million in funds, according to Lauren Thompson, a spokeswoman for the agency." NYT, March 27
    
• Like us, they are unsure what to do. We need to help each other.
  

Spreading the word about threats to democracy is essential, through whatever means we have. We must build up our local immune system for threats that are rapidly approaching. Attacks on checks and balances and the rule of law will soon percolate down from the federal level.

2. Recommended readingI return regularly to Timothy Snyder's book "On Tyranny", and have enjoyed his recent companion book "On Freedom". His short essay "Twenty Lessons On Tyranny" contains important warnings. For example:
Lesson #8. Stand out. Someone has to. It is easy to follow along. It can feel strange to do or say something different. But without that unease, there is no freedom. Remember Rosa Parks. The moment you set an example, the spell of the status quo is broken, and others will follow.
and
Lesson #10. Believe in truth. To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle. The biggest wallet pays for the most blinding lights.
It is frightening to see the tools of tyranny playing out in our own government. Synder gives us a big picture analysis to understand how the ferocious attacks we are seeing fit into a bigger strategy.

3. Action: Help our neighbors in WI

• Elon Musk is interfering in the critical election for the Wisconsin supreme court on April 1st.
  
• Easy links to phone bank for WI. I signed on to the ongoing phone bank for 30 minutes this evening. It's easy, do it from your phone (your number isn't exposed). They provide a script, but I just focused on the judge race. I talked to several very nice people.
  

4. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDARWe are trying to get someone to speak up at every possible local meeting. Stand up, say your piece How are government actions affecting you? How do they hurt your community? You don't have to say a lot; some people just say a sentence or two "I'm worried about Medicaid cuts"; "I don't want Elon Musk having access to my private data."
As examples, my statements to all bodies are posted on Substack. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
I have only one meeting on the schedule for next week:

• April 4, Friday, 6 pm, Stanton Township
  

Week of April 6:

• April 8, 12:30 pm Schoolcraft Township
  
• April 8, 1:00 pm Keweenaw National Historic Park
  
• April 8, 3:00 pm Houghton County Commissioners
  
  • Meals on Wheels, request for a millage. Craig W has collected a lot of info on this; please ask if you'd like me to forward it.
    
• April 8, 5 pm Baraga Country
  
• April 9, 4 pm, L'Anse Township
  
• April 9, 5:30 pm, Houghton City Council
  
• April 9, 6 pm, Osceola Township
  

5. Events and meetings CALENDARThis Saturday:

• March 29 Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy March at the bridge. (Michigan United Action)
  

Next Saturday:

• April 5, Nationwide Day of Protest: Hands Off. Indivisible Rally with speakers, 12-1 at Bridgeview Park, March on the Bridge 1-2 pm.
  

Ongoing:

• Yoopers for Ukraine march on the bridge Sunday, 3 pm; shifting to Wed at 5 starting April 9.
  
• “Unpack and Unwind” Second Wednesdays, 7 pm to 8:30 pm; Hampton Hotel on the seventh floor (accessible with elevator). A casual space to share ideas, vent, ask questions, and connect with others over progressive thoughts and curiosity. No agenda. No group. Just open minds and good vibes. Drop in, speak up, or just listen—whatever feels right.
  
• AWAVE 4th Wednesdays. Gathering at 5th and Elm, Hancock.
  
• Houghton County Dems meet every first Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
  

Join:

• Join local Keweenaw Indivisible here. This group is actively planning multiple activities; volunteers with enthusiasm and/or talents can contribute. Contact [[email protected]](mailto: [email protected]) to connect.
  
• Lake Superior Region Indivisible has formed in Marquette. Contact them at [email protected].
  
• AWAVE has a private Facebook group. Contact [email protected] for info.
  

Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah