Action Items: Week of August 24, 2025
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." -Arthur Ashe
This Week’s Newsletter Contains…
Reader Survey - Please Complete, Thank You!
Top 5 Things You Can Do This Week
Pet of the week
IGGR Events
Events from Other Organizations
Michigan Petitions Update
Welcome Indivisible Kent County
Announcements
Follow Us - Website & Social Media
Reader Survey 📋
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Top 5 Things YOU Can Do This Week
The senators and representatives are in recess until after Labor Day so if you want, you can call now and leave messages or email about these issues or wait until they get back. If you’re new to calling, the senators rarely have someone answer their phones even when they are in session, so you will have to leave a message. Always leave your street address so they know you are a constituent.
Call Senators Peters 202.224.6221 and Slotkin 202.224.4822 (see Resources for You for more contact info).
Watch out for and call when you see an emergency notice that the Senate is going to debate and vote on The SAVE Act, Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, S. 128. Watch for emergency notices in the coming weeks for Senate action on this Act. Look for it on Five Calls and all Indivisible of Greater Grand Rapids (IGGR) publications and any other progressive new sources you read. It passed the House as HR 22. If passed, it will require documentary proof of citizenship when registering or registering to vote. The Act would require a REAL-ID compliant document, a valid U.S. Passport or specific military or government ID. The Act could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters who do not have access to their certified birth certificates or passports. It could disenfranchise women who changed their name when they got married and do not have a REAL-ID or Passport. Meanwhile, get a REAL-ID or Passport as soon as you can.
Oppose a movement to eliminate mail in ballots and the use of voting machines. Trump has said he supports such a movement. Elimination of mail in voting and voting machines would make voting more difficult, thereby suppressing the vote.
Demand support of Ukraine. Don’t stand for the United States siding with Putin.
Demand a full investigation of the breach of security by documents left in a public printer at the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. The documents were produced by the Office of the Chief of Proctocol. The documents identified details about the meeting between Trump and Putin regarding Ukraine. The Chief of Protocol is Monica Crowley, a former FOX news personality.
Demand that SpaceX start paying its fair share of taxes on the billions of dollars from government contracts. SpaceX Gets Billions From the Government. It Gives Little to Nothing Back In Taxes
Support keeping the D.C. Chief of Police in charge of the city’s law enforcement. D.O.J. issued a new directive leaving the Chief in charge following a court hearing. Trump admin agrees to allow DC police chief to remain in charge after court challenge
The Congress is in recess until after Labor Day. You can decide to call and leave a message or wait until they are back. Representative Scholten generally has staff members answering the calls and tallying them. Be sure to give them your home address so they know you are a constituent. Her staff has indicated that one call succinctly listing the multiple issues that concern you is preferable to multiple calls addressing one issue for each call. It’s up to you but it is easier for you if you organize your issues and positions and list them instead of making multiple calls. Try to be as organized as possible.
Call Representative Scholten, 202 225 3831 or Moolenaar, 202 225 3561
Oppose a movement to eliminate mail in ballots and the use of voting machines. Trump has said he supports such a movement. Elimination of mail in voting and voting machines would make voting more difficult thereby suppressing the vote.
Demand support of Ukraine. Don’t stand for the United States siding with Putin.
Demand a full investigation of the breach of security by documents left in a public printer at the Hotel Captain Cook in downtown Anchorage, Alaska. The documents were produced by the Office of the Chief of Proctocol. The documents identified details about the meeting between Trump and Putin regarding Ukraine. The Chief of Protocol is Monica Crowley, a former FOX news personality.
Demand that SpaceX start paying its fair share of taxes on the billions of dollars from government contracts. SpaceX Gets Billions From the Government. It Gives Little to Nothing Back In Taxes
Support keeping the D.C. Chief of Police in charge of the city’s law enforcement. D.O.J. issued a new directive leaving the Chief in charge following a court hearing. Trump admin agrees to allow DC police chief to remain in charge after court challenge
Call your State of Michigan Representatives (Find them here)
Thank your Democrat House Reps for voting NO on HB 4707 to prohibit the use of ranked choice voting in all Michigan state, city, and township elections; the bill passed the House. (All Dems voted NO)
Tell your Republican Reps that you’re disappointed in their YES vote (All GOP voted YES) (what are they so afraid of?)
Spread the word about Kent County's West Michigan Welcome Plan team's Maximize Economic Potential Workgroup is excited to share the new International Degree Toolkit, designed to help immigrants and refugees explore ways to use their international degrees in our community. The toolkit includes guidance, resources, and practical steps for credential evaluation, career pathways, and continuing education.
Contact G.R.Ford International Airport (GRFIA) Authority Board to demand Avelo Air be denied tax breaks, subsidies or grants. They have the contract to fly arrested immigrants to ICE holding centers. Mailing address: GR Ford International Airport Authority, 5500 44th Street SE, GR MI 49512-4055 or fill out this form. The members of the Board are composed of County Commissioners and private citizens. Phone numbers were found for some of the members of the board: Dan Burrill, County Commissioner, 616.292.3876; Jennifer Merchant, County Commissioner, 616.632.7150. (Couldn’t find phone numbers for the following: Dan Koorndyk; Michael B. Verhulst; Douglas Small; and Peter Buekema.)
Extra Credit:
Do one (or more!) of these 45 Acts of Non-Compliance for Ordinary People
Send us a photo of your pet! Following the lead of The Contrarian, IGGR will begin a new feature: Pet of the Week, highlighting the adorable animals who share the homes of our IGGR members. Please send a picture of your pet to indivisibleggr@gmail.com, along with your Pet’s name; we will include your first name andtial.
Pf the Week 🐶
Name: Misty
Human: Elaine H.
Hobbies: Squirrel Patrol, Belly Rubs and Eating. (sounds like she works hard for those comforts - squirrels are hard! Good girl Misty!)
Send us a photo of your pet! Following the lead of The Contrarian, IGGR has started a new feature: Pet of the Week, highlighting the adorable animals who share the homes of our IGGR members. Please send a picture of your pet to indivisibleggr@gmail.com, along with your Pet’s name; we will include your first name and initial.
IGGR Events 🎉
Wednesday, August 27 at 12 pm. Protect Social Security Rally at the Social Security Office, 3045 Knapp St NE
Wednesday, August 27 at 4 pm. Meet with Ann Brown from Elissa Slotkin’s staff. Online. You can register here. Sponsored by SWIM.
Thursday, August 28, from 7 - 8 pm. Why County Government Matters More than Ever: A Deep Dive into Vital Services. Zoom webinar. County government acts as the connective tissue between local cities and the state. Some of its responsibilities are mandated—like running courts, the sheriff’s department, and the health department. Others are discretionary but deeply impactful: managing recycling, offering early childhood services, low income resident and senior services, veterans' services, maintaining parks, and more. Yet federal budget cuts endanger these services and will have significant impacts on all county residents. Join Kent County Commissioner Kris Pachla for a Zoom webinar on Thursday, August 28, from 7:00-8:00 pm to learn more about the many services available. Learn how to get these services and what you need to do to protect them. Register here.
Friday, August 29 at 4:30 to 6 pm. Bridge Takeover Protest. Fuller over I-196 --we have been asked to continue here to show our support for the surrounding community--Keep that in mind as you choose your protest signs. Future dates/locations:
Sept 5-Hall over US-131
Sept 12-Fuller over I-196
Tuesday, September 9 at 4 pm. Meet with Kevin Hrit and his team from Gary Peters staff. You can register here. Sponsored by SWIM.
Monday, September 22 at 6:30 pm. In-person IGGR Member Meeting. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain NE. Mark your calendars and plan on attending our monthly meetings this fall. Mondays at 6:30 pm. October 27, November 24. A free-will donation will be accepted to cover the cost of renting the church space.
EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Monday, August 25 at 10 - 11:30 am. AVELO/ICE Protest. Patterson at 44th St at the entrance to the Grand Rapids Airport. Parking across the street at Wendy’s. Every Monday! Sponsored by Stop GEO Group in Baldwin and Coalition to Stop AVELO. (Please note: no protest on Labor Day, September 1.)
Monday, August 25 at 12 - 1 pm. Tesla Takedown. 2919 29th St SE. Every Monday from 12 - 1 pm through the summer.
Monday, August 25 at 6 pm. Money Out of Politics Town Hall. Online. Come learn about the Michiganders for Money out of Politics ballot initiative and how to tackle campaign finance. Register here. Sponsored by Voters Not Politicians.
Wednesday, August 27 at 5 - 6 pm. Freedom Protectors Rally. Ten Mile Road and Main, Rockford. Family Friendly rally to protect first amendment rights, civil rights, and liberty and justice for all. Every Wednesday. Public Parking Lot P12 (directly off the bike trail) behind all the buildings in the first block of North Main St.
Wednesday, August 27 at 6 - 7:30 pm. Michigan for the Many Town Hall. Come learn about our exciting upcoming ballot initiatives and how you can fight back to take down the bosses and the billionaires. Michiganders for Money out of Politics (MMOP) will make it so monopoly utilities like Consumers Energy & DTE can't pay off politicians. They keep raising the rates without improving their service and that is NOT right! MMOP will also prevent health insurance companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and other major state contractors from paying off our politicians. Invest in MI Kids will tax the rich to put more money into our schools. Our kids deserve better! To get enough signatures we will need ALL HANDS ON DECK. Join us! The meeting address in Grand Rapids will be made available upon signing up. Register here. Sponsored by Voters Not Politicians.
Friday, August 29 at 4:30 - 6 pm. Rush Hour Resistance. Jupiter Avenue Bridge, parking near the intersection of Konkle and Jupiter, just off West River. (Alternates weekly with Veteran’s Memorial Bridge (North Park).
Saturday, August 30 at 12 pm. Support Our Veterans and VA Rally. Michigan Veterans Home, 2950 Monroe Ave NE, GR (Alternates with: Veterans Park in Greenville, MI on M-57 Washington between Bower Street and Luray Street; rally on north side of M57). Sponsored by the Support Our Veterans and VA Facebook group.
Saturday, September 6 at 1 to 4 pm. North Lake Correctional Facility, 1805 W 32nd Street; Baldwin. Sponsored by No Detention Centers in Michigan.
Michigan Petitions Update
Sign these petitions for ballot proposals that are beginning to be circulated:
Invest In Michigan Kids. A proposed constitutional amendment seeking to impose a 5% surcharge on high income earners (above $500,000 for single filers and $1 million for joint fliers). The proceeds of this tax are to be earmarked for education.
Ranked Choice Voting (RankMIVote): A proposed constitutional amendment that would change how elections are decided. Voters would rank candidates by preference. This could potentially give more influence to smaller parties or candidates with broader appeal.
Michiganders for Money Out of Politics. The proposal would change how politicians are able to raise campaign funds. The proposal would restrain the power of large corporations to spend millions each year in unregulated donations to politicians.
Do NOT sign these petitions:
Americans for Citizen Voting (or any other voting petition). This proposal would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in the form of a certified birth certificate or valid passport and a state issued photo identification card with the name matching that on the birth certificate or passport. This proposal would make it difficult for women who changed their name when marrying because their birth certificate would not match the name on their state issued photo identification. It would also make it difficult for people who don’t have a certified copy of their birth certificate to register to vote.
Announcements
We at Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids (IGGR) would like to welcome the new chapter of Kent County Indivisible to the scene of local Indivisible groups who are standing up against authoritarianism in this country. There are several ways to combat authoritarianism and all of us are needed to do so. IGGR’s continued commitment to that fight is threefold, to educate the public about current legislation and policies that affect us all, to activate people to speak out about legislation and policies that do not serve all people, and to hold politicians accountable across all levels of government. We are also committed to working with vulnerable populations within our Greater Grand Rapids community. All of us are needed and we’re excited to see more groups and people signing up to help!
Please note that next week’s newletter may be delayed til Tuesday due to the Labor Day Holiday. Don’t Worry - we’ll be back with new to do’s early next week. Enjoy the long weekend!
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Hi. Great work. I’m not subscribing as I live in PA but I wanted to bring your attention to this group. Add to your knowledge bank for actions? “DoNotTurnOnUs” a group “organizing civilians, veterans and military service members to refuse fascist orders”. They are doing a Zoom training today 8.24.25 at 5pm eastern but lots of ongoing work. I found them on Bluesky. Pass it on.
https://linktr.ee/donotturnonus
🤗💙