Action Items: Week of April 27, 2025
Thank you, everyone, for keeping up the pressure. It is working!
Don’t tune out. It’s easy to be exhausted, but America needs you now more than ever. If previous generations had not fought for democracy, where would we be today?
-Elissa Slotkin to all of us, her constituents
This Week’s Newsletter Contains…
Top 5 Things You Can Do This Week
IGGR Events
Events From Other Organizations
What We’re Monitoring
Introduced Bills to Keep an Eye On - Federal and State
Top 5 Things You Can Do This Week
This list gives you the key action items you focus on for the week. It is, as you well know, not the only things you can do. If you want to do more and/or would like a script to follow to make calls or send emails to your Congresspeople, download the 5 Calls app. It includes the current issues and is updated regularly.
Call Senators Peters, 202.224.6221 and Slotkin, 202.224.4822 (see Resources for You for more contact info)
Thank you for pledging to Vote No on HR 22, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE Act). Do everything you can, including supporting a filibuster, to make sure it doesn’t come to a vote.
Fight to prevent oil drilling in the Alaska Arctic Refuge.
Fight to block Line 5 pipeline for transportation of oil across the Straits of Mackinac.
Fight to block mining, oil drilling or any industry in National Monuments and Parks.
Do everything in your power to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home. Support Senator Van Hollen for standing up to Trump by going to El Salvadore to see Abrego Garcia who was taken to El Salvadore without due process and for Senator Van Hollen calling the executive branch out for violating court orders, including orders of the Supreme Court.
Demand that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) continue routine food inspections to guarantee the health and safety of the food chain. On April 21, 2025 suspension of inspection of milk safety was announced.
Demand releasing funds to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These cuts have resulted in The Great Lakes Environmental Laboratory (GLERL) in Muskegon and Ann Arbor losing the director, key scientists and the entire communication team. GLERL monitors water quality of the Great Lakes and weather, to name a few.
Continue to call for the resignation or removal of Secretary of Defense Hegseth for an additional breach of security on SIGNAL by sharing secret battle information, including the flight schedules of U.S. bombing raids in Yemen with his wife, brother and personal attorney. This security breach was in addition to his inclusion of the editor of The Atlantic regarding the same military action.
Demand that the executive branch cease using the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport people in violation of federal court orders, including a limited Supreme Court order on 4/19 which specifically referred to using the AEA in the Northern District of Texas.
Demand release of funds to National Endowment of the Arts (NEH). Without that funding there will be cancellations of several statewide events including the Great Michigan Read which distributes free books and encourages people to read literature and history written about Michigan and by Michigan writers. DOGE cuts hit Michigan youth programs, reading initiative
Oppose the Department of Education resuming involuntary student debt collection including garnishment of wages, seizure of tax refunds and reduction of Social Security benefits of people who defaulted on their student loans in the past.
Call Representative Rep. Scholten, 202.225.3831
Fight to prevent oil drilling in the Alaska Arctic Refuge.
Fight to block Line 5 pipeline for transportation of oil across the Straits of Mackinac.
Fight to block mining, oil drilling or any industry in National Monuments and Parks.
Demand that the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) continue routine food inspections to guarantee the health and safety of the food chain.
Do everything in your power to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home. Support Senator Van Hollen for standing up to Trump by going to El Salvadore to see Abrego Garcia who was taken to El Salvadore without due process and for Senator Van Hollen calling the executive branch out for violating court orders, including orders of the Supreme Court.
Continue to call for the resignation or removal of Secretary of Defense Hegseth for an additional breach of security on SIGNAL by sharing secret battle information, including the flight schedules of U.S. bombing raids in Yemen with his wife, brother and personal attorney. This security breach was in addition to his inclusion of the editor of The Atlantic regarding the same military action.
Demand that the executive branch stop using the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to deport people in violation of federal court orders, including a limited Supreme Court order on 4/19 which specifically referred to the use of the AEA in the Northern District of Texas.
Demand release of funds to National Endowment of the Arts (NEH). Without that funding there will be cancellations of several statewide events including the Great Michigan Read which distributes free books and encourages people to read literature and history written about Michigan and by Michigan writers. DOGE cuts hit Michigan youth programs, reading initiative
Oppose the Department of Education resuming involuntary debt collection for student loans.
Do not sign the petition to get the Proof of Citizenship amendment to the Michigan Constitution on the ballot in November 2025. Encourage your friends, family, and neighbors not to sign it as well. The Michigan Board of Canvassers approved the language of the petition and the signature drive on April 18, 2025. (Source: The Bridge)
Make a plan to vote in the May 6, 2025 election. You can find the list of communities with elections here (by county). Kent County proposals are here.
Extra Credit Bonus! Adopt or foster animals from Kent County Animal Shelter. They are moving from the temporary quarters back to their primary facility but only have 38 kennels while building renovations are going on. They just got in another 20 animals this week.
IGGR Events
Wednesday, April 30 at 12 pm. Protect Social Security Rally at the Social Security Office, 3045 Knapp St NE, GR.
Friday, May 2 at 4:30 to 6 pm. Bridge Takeover Protest. Hall St bridge over US 131.
Sunday, May 4 at 3:30 - 5:00 pm. IGGR Book Fair Social at Fountain Street Church Social Hall. Join other Indivisible GGR members to celebrate and share stories about all the hard work you have been doing! Books and Mortar will present a book fair with a selection of books about general political and social justice issues including immigrants, LGBTQ+, seniors/disabled, women's rights and more! Bring your favorite beverage and a snack to share, buy a book or two and hang out with like-minded people.
Thursday, May 15 at 7 - 8:30 pm. Grand Rapids Power Analysis Workshop.Fountain Street Church Social Hall, 24 Fountain Street NE. Join GR organizer Jeff Smith in this interactive workshop where he will discuss the Grand Rapids Power Analysis to help you understand the organizations and people who have significant political and economic power in this city. This analysis provides critical information needed by individuals working to affect structural changes to injustices in Grand Rapids. You will be better prepared to create strategies and tactics for handling resistance from those organizations and people as you work to achieve social justice.
Jeff Smith has been part of social movement work for 40+ years in Grand Rapids. He co-founded the Koinonia House, which practiced radical hospitality for the unhoused and was a sanctuary for Central American refugees fleeing US sponsored terrorism in the 1980s. Jeff spent a significant amount of time doing accompaniment work in Central America and Mexico, working with, and learning from, movement organizers in those countries. He has written several books including “A People’s History of Grand Rapids.
EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Monday, April 28 at 12 pm. Tesla Takedown. Tesla Showroom in Grand Rapids, 2919 29th St SE.
Thursday, May 1- Sunday May 4. Movimiento Cosecha GR Four Days of Action
Thursday, May 1 at 4 pm. March and Boycott. Gather at Clemente Park in Grand Rapids at 4pm, and the march will begin from there. Also, no shopping.
Friday, May 2 at 4 pm. Friday. Boycott and Community solidarity gathering, a time to share food, hear music and build community. At SECOM, 1545 Buchanan Ave SW. No shopping.
Saturday, May 3. Boycott and Salsa shut down. Flash mob event. (Time and Location will be a surprise). No shopping.
Sunday, May 4. Boycott. No shopping.
Sunday, May 4 at 1 - 4 pm. Festival of Hope & Freedom. Rosa Parks Circle. This event is a celebration of core Democratic values, including Freedom to Prosper, Freedom to Be Me, Freedom to Learn, Freedom to Vote, Hope for a Clean Environment, Hope for Safety, Hope for Healthy Families, and Hope for Democracy! Sign up here.
Monday, May 5 at 12 - 3 pm. March for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP). Ah-Nab-Awen Park, 220 Front Street NW. Rain or shine, attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs.
Friday, May 9 at 4 - 5:30 pm. No Kings–Then or Now. A focus on strategies and pragmatic actions you can take to stop the destruction of our democracy with our special guest speakers: Historian and political writer Heather Cox Richardson, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin. Together, they will answer the question: What CAN and MUST we all do to win this fight. Register here. Sponsored by a variety of groups, including Concord Indivisible.
Ongoing. Thursdays at 3 pm, “What's the Plan?” Zoom call with Indivisible Leaders. Support for the entire network to "make sense of the moment," stay grounded, and build impact, Thursdays. Ongoing Thursday afternoon National call with Leah and Ezra, formerly called “Bracing for Impact,” now called "What's the Plan?" RSVP here
Ongoing. Sundays at 1 pm. Join the Protest for Progress - a weekly demonstration hosted by the Grand Rapids Trans Foundation in Monument Park on Fulton Street, GR.
What We're Monitoring
Following is information about introduced Bills that our Research Committee is keeping an eye on. Come back here as often as you’d like to find an update. We’ll edit this at least once a week.
Introduced Bills to Keep an Eye On
Federal Updates: Introduced Bills to Keep an Eye On
No action is needed at this time, but be aware of what the US Congress is up to.
HR 1702, The Judges Act of 2025. Watch for updates on this Bill which would increase the number of federal judges Trump could appoint. It was introduced by Rep. Issa (R-CA) on March 5, 2025 and was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, also on March 5, 2025. If the Bill were to pass, it would enable Trump to appoint new federal judges.
State Updates: Things to Keep an Eye On
No action is needed at this time, but be aware of what MAGA is up to in our state legislature.
The “Committee to Protect Voters Rights” filed a proposal to require proof of citizenship before registering to vote. If passed, this amendment would add more red tape to our elections, create a poll tax on certain voters, and upend our secure voter registration laws. The petition summary adopted by the Board of State Canvassers on Friday, April 18 hides the fact that eligible Michigan voters will face tremendous difficulty obtaining the proof of citizenship documents the proposal would require. Keep an eye out for this petition and warn everyone you know NOT to sign it.
Please let us know if you find this newsletter helpful by pressing the ❤️ button at the top or bottom of this email. You can also click on the thought-bubble icon 💬 and leave us a comment or question. Not only does the team at IGGR want your feedback but you help us make this communication better for all. Thank you for reading.
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https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/04/17/veterans-organizing-call-action-rally-d-day-anniversary-nations-capital.html. DDay protests for veterans benefits.
These are incredibly thorough and informative emails. I am appreciative of all your efforts. Thank you!