CRAG: Weekend updates, April 26

Hello CRAGgy Friends,
Welcome new people! (join here)

1. CRAGgy news
2. Reports on recent CRAG public statements
3. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping
4. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR
5. Events, meetings, and organizing CALENDAR
6. Owls!

“Today, right now—and I mean right this second--you have the most power you’ll ever have in the current fight against authoritarianism in America. If you wait to speak out, you have already lost.” Adrienne LaFrance, The Atlantic, April, 2025

“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.

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1. CRAGgy news

• Keweenaw Now story on the April 19th No Kings March. With photos! and videos!
• Letters to the Editor:
  • Where's Waldo? by Phil Keyes
  • Support the CDC by Terry Kinzel
• Michigan Tech Board meeting
  • DMG: "After the opening remarks four individuals spoke up during the public comment portion. The first speaker and student, Gabriel Ahrendt, requested the university consider divesting from fossil fuel companies and to be transparent in its investments. The three following speakers requested the board and university stand up to what they believe is overreach by the federal government."
  • University-related updates:
    • NSF director resigned and hundreds of NSF grants are being canceled this week as DOGE rampages through the agency aiming for a 50% cut in funding. Very little of the $9B NSF budget stays in Washington; 95% of NSF funds are distributed to researchers across the country. (For perspective, $9B is 0.026 Elon Units, based on Musk's net worth of ≈$350B.)
      
    • NIH canceled, and, after criticism, is quietly reinstating research on women's health. (complaining can work!)
      
    • Legal system stands up for student with revoked visas; Judges have called the situation Kafkaesque, and labeled these “Schrödinger's visas.”
      
  • State news:
    
    • State will report on impacts of Medicaid cuts.
      
    • Sen. Peters on Head Start cuts
      
      

2. Reports on recent CRAG public statements

• Michigan Tech Board of Trustees
  • 3 speakers: Ruth G, Pushpa M, Sarah;
    • We asked President Koubek to sign this AACU letter. (he hasn't yet.)
    • My comments are posted in the archive.
• Calumet Township; I spoke briefly.

3. For new CRAGgys: Notes and housekeeping

• This list now includes 238 people.
• I posted an overview of CRAG goals and history on April 13th.
• Why Local Action for Democracy
  • btw, I'm a newcomer to this; the League of Women Voters and Houghton County Dems have been tracking local meetings and issues for years.
• I keep a CRAG CALENDAR of local meetings and events; please forward any additions or updates.
• This newsletter is available via RSS feed (copy link into your RSS reader): https://www.fireelon.net/1/feed

4. Upcoming Local Township/city meetings CALENDAR

We are trying to get someone to speak up at every possible local meeting.
How can we get you out to your township/county/other meetings?
Eleven events are on the CALENDAR this week (see below).

• We can help:
  • Pair you with a buddy;
  • Guidance in preparing remarks; As examples, my statements to all bodies are posted in an archive. (I can post yours, too, if you want to share.)
  • Factsheet on your township;
  • What else can we do? Childcare? Transportation? Lollipops? Let me know!
• Only two meeting next week:
• April 30
  • 7 pm, Portage Lake District Library
• Thursday, May 1
  • 6 pm, Village of South Range

5. Events and meetingsSee CALENDAR link for details on events.

Next Bergman Actions

• TODAY! Saturday, April 26, in Marquette; "Voters not Donors"
• May 17, Town Hall Oscoda

Upcoming

• May 3 but buy tickets now HC Dems Spring Fling Fundraiser
• May 10, 11:15-2, register for lunch by May 2, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country Annual meeting. Guest speaker Lisa Nelson, on Ranked Choice Voting; RSVP for lunch or zoom link to [[email protected]](malto: [email protected]).

Ongoing (you can have a date every Wednesday!):

• Yoopers for Ukraine Rally at the bridge Wednesdays at 5 pm (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.
• 3rd Wednesday, 6 pm HC Dems April Meet-up, 5th and Elm.
• 4th Wednesdays AWAVE. Gathering at Orpheum Theater, Hancock.
• 3rd Sundays, 7-8:45 pm, Keweenaw Against the Oligarchy Monthly Action Committee (KATO), Orpheum Theater. Please register at the link to help with the headcount.

6. And Owls, again!

• for a break watch our local Great Horned owlets grow on the Owl Nest Cam, installed and maintained by Copper Country Audubon.

Thanks for all your support
Stay Well
Sarah