CRAG various updates, April 15

Hello CRAGgy Friends,

Welcome new people! (join here)

1. Meeting Updates
   
2. 'Celebrate 250 years of NO KINGS'
   
3. SAVE Act Action
   
4. Keweenaw Now Article on Hands Off! protest
   
5. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
   
6. Events, meetings, and organizing 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. Meeting Updates (let me know if you attended one)

• Amy H and Sarah attended Portage Township on Monday This is a relaxed, conversational meeting. Councillors listened to our comments and concerns, but were clearly focused on several very local topics.
  
• Hancock Township: Beth F, Dorothy R., Sarah, Sue Ellen, Terry K., and several others attended. At least 5 spoke in a fairly informal setting. Several council people were quite hostile to the idea of a resolution; others were silent. The most outspoken (James Moore) said that he and 2/3 of the township voted for DJT and he wouldn't do anything that opposes them. One other member of the public spoke in favor of Musk, saying cutting billions from Medicaid is good because there's "too much waste."
  

My thoughts on this are:

• It's not at all unexpected in this area; we may well find more anti people showing up. We need to find ways to talk with them. The formality of a township meeting is a good place to start those conversations.
  
• We need to develop some talking points that appeal across the board. Some ideas:
  
  • People can say there's too much waste in Washington, but they have a harder time saying their elderly neighbor should be denied health care.
    
  • Framing cuts as saving money is not correct; the proposed republican budget cuts Medicaid to support tax cuts for the top 5%.
    
  • Some people might support appeals to "checks and balances", the constitution, and the rule of law.
    

Other ideas and thoughts? Please send your suggestions.
2. 'Celebrate 250 years of NO KINGS'Please come out again to protest on April 19. It's important that people see non-violent protests GROWING.
April 19,'Celebrate 250 years of NO KINGS'Portage lift Bridge, 11:30 am Organized by AWAVE.
Sustained, growing, non-violent protests are an essential tool to oppose autocratic regimes.
Erica Chenworth has done remarkable research on why mass non-violent protests work better than violence, explained in this 2013 video:
The success of nonviolent civil resistance: Erica Chenoweth at TEDxBoulder
And Dr. Chenoweth was quoted recently in The Guardian:
What’s giving me hope is watching ordinary people turn out at town halls, community meetings, rallies, protests, experimenting with economic noncooperation like consumer boycotts, and organizing their communities for rapid response and mutual aid. Countless people are speaking out about unconstitutional moves by the government, and in support of those who have been personally affected by them. There is growing pressure on civic institutions to take a stand as well. So long as a critical mass of people remain willing to speak up, speak out and organize their communities to protect one another, there is hope for an even better future in this country.
3. SAVE Act ActionOur Senator Gary Peters has not yet promised to vote against the SAVE Act, which imposes onerous requirements for voting. This bill has passed the House; it can be stopped in the Senate if enough democrats block it.

• Senator Gary Peters: 202-224-6221.
  
• Senator Elissa Slotkin 202-224-4822
  
• Or use 5-calls to find a sample script on this (and other) topics.
  

4. Keweenaw Now Article on Hands Off! protest

• with videos and photos. Check the site for other local news.
  
• Get inspired for this week's march!
  

5. 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."

• Wednesday, April 16
  
  • 6 pm, Hancock City Council
    
  • 6 pm, Torch Lake Township
    
• Thursday April 17
  
  • 4 pm, Calumet Township Master Plan, Public hearing
    
  • 5:15 pm, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District- Annual Meeting
    
  • 6 pm, Elm River Township
    
• Wednesday, April 23
  
  • 5:30 pm, Houghton City Council
    
  • 7 pm, Portage Lake District Library
    
• Friday, April 25
  
  • 9 am, Michigan Tech Board of Trustees
    
  • 1 pm, Calumet Township
    

When and where does your local city or township board meet? Let me know. Thanks to those who have shared.
6. Events and meetings CALENDAR

• April 19, NO KINGS Day protest, Portage lift Bridge, 11:30 am. Organized by AWAVE.
  
• April 22nd, 6:30 pm. Second Houghton Bergman(less) Town Hall
  

Ongoing (you can be very busy on Wednesdays!):

• Yoopers for Ukraine Rally at the bridge Wednesdays at 5 pm (note time correction).
  
• “Houghton County Dems meet every 1st Wednesday, 7 pm at the Super 8.
  
• Unpack and Unwind” 2nd 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.
  
• April 16, 3rd Wednesday, 6 pm HC Dems April Meet-up, 5th and Elm.
  
• AWAVE 4th Wednesdays. Gathering at 5th and Elm, Hancock.
  

Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah