Action Items: Week of June 15, 2025

Thank YOU for making a difference!

This Week’s Newsletter Contains…

No Kings Rallies - Thank YOU!!!

Top 5 Things You Can Do This Week

Weekly Environmental Updates

IGGR Events

Events from Other Organizations

What We’re Monitoring

Introduced Bills to Keep an Eye On - Federal and State

No Kings Rallies

Thanks to everyone who came out to the No Kings rallies yesterday. Your presence and passion for our community was wonderful to behold! We’ll share pictures as they become available throughout the week. For now - here is one of the drone images.

In case you missed it - we’ve been seeing some great news coverage. This is what we’ve been able to gather so far:

· Fox 17 On-Line: "‘No King’ rally in Grand Rapids draws thousands to protest Trump administration

· WZZM: Thousands gather in Grand Rapids for 'No Kings’ protest | wzzm13.com

· Wood TV: ‘No Kings’ protests held in W MI, around the world | WOODTV.com

· MLive: Thousands flood downtown Grand Rapids in anti-Trump ‘No Kings’ protest - mlive.com

· Spectrum News: PHOTOS: 'No Kings' protests in Michigan

· WGVU News Radio: West Michigan Indivisible groups plan rallies for No Kings Day | WGVU NEWS

Thank you Greater Grand Rapids!! Let’s keep up the pressure! Check out your action items and upcoming events (like the ACLU presentation on 6/18) below!

Top 5 Things YOU Can Do This Week

• Call Senators Peters 202.224.6221 and Slotkin 202.224.4822 (see Resources for You for more contact info)

  • Thank you for voting NO on the confirmation of Billy Long, who supports the elimination of the IRS, to head the IRS.

  • Object to Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to California to “protect” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from protestors over the mass deportations taking place, particularly in Los Angeles.

  • Object to the removal and handcuffing of Senator Alex Padilla by DHS at Kristi Noem’s news conference in California

  • Vote NO on H.Con.Res 14 Budget Resolution, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act; join with colleagues to submit resolutions under the CRA to oblige the Senate to consider every possible rule and waiver that can require 10 hours of debate and a vote; AND Speak out about the many reasons to oppose the Budget Resolution, as enumerated in “What’s in Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill“:

    • Limits the ability of the federal courts to issue contempt of court orders against illegal and unconstitutional executive actions. This means that the courts would be limited in their attempts to enforce their rulings such as temporary restraining orders or injunctions issued against the executive branch.

    • Cuts Medicare. Medicare is a target as Senate GOP faces megabill math issues

    • People in the 10% or below income bracket will see a significant reduction in their annual financial resources and those in the top 10% income bracket will see a significant increase in their financial resources.

    • Eliminates Jobs Corps training which provides low income people with job training and experience and helps them secure employment.

    • Curtails federally backed student loans and Pell grants which help low income students pay for college

    • Sale of public lands in federal forests and federal land management areas for fossil fuel exploration and drilling and for excessive harvesting of timber.

    • Cuts Medicaid funding. One in five U.S. citizens rely on medicaid to pay for medical care. In Michigan approximately 20 to 25% of the population relies on Medicaid.

    • Bars the use of Medicaid for services rendered by health clinics like Planned Parenthood.

    • Cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), approximately $267 billion dollars.

    • Eliminates tax incentives for utilities to convert to clean energy alternatives.

    • Eliminates tax incentives for purchasing an energy efficient car and instead would institute a fee for doing so.

    • Additional cuts to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). The CDC budget has already been cut by more than 50%.

    • Adds $3.8 trillion to the national debt and would raise the debt ceiling by $44 trillion.

  • Oppose the nomination of Casey Means, a social media influencer, as Surgeon General. She’s friends with Kennedy and shares his anti vaccination position, calling vaccine mandates criminal. She promotes and profits from the sale of raw milk and untested plant therapies.

  • Oppose the nomination of Paul Ingrassia, a far-right podcaster known for making incendiary comments, to lead the US Office of Special Council. Trump nominates former podcast host with history of inflammatory comments for top ethics job

  • Oppose the nomination of Emil Bove, one of Trump’s personal lawyers, to a lifetime appointment to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

  • Oppose Michael Boren for under secretary in the Department of Agriculture, which would put him in charge of the U.S. Forest Service. He has repeatedly challenged and violated Forest Service regulations at his ranch in Idaho, including building a private airstrip on Forest Service land. NYT, 5/4/25, “He Built an Airstrip on Protected Land. Now He’s In Line t.”o Lead the Forest Service

  • Oppose and obstruct all of Trump’s lesser known nominees for cabinet posts. Make sure the nominees are questioned extensively in hearings about the duties and responsibilities for the position they have been nominated for and about legal principles governing what the agency in question. Make the Republicans fight for nominations.

  • Call for hearings on all legislation proposed by Republicans. As stated above, make the Republicans fight for everything they want to push through.

  • Demand that the plaque acknowledging the bravery of the Capitol Police on January 6, 2021 be installed in the Capitol Building.

• Call Representative Scholten, 202.225.3831 or Moolenaar 202.225.3561

  • Scholten: Thank you for speaking out against the closure of the GR Job Corps Center that will affect hundreds of Grand Rapidians. With Grand Rapids center affected, Scholten criticizes Job Corps pause

  • H.R 4 the Rescissions Act of 2025 votes

    • Scholten: Thank you for voting NO on H.R 4 the Rescissions Act of 2025, which effectively defunded the Public Radio and Public TV for 2026 and 2027 House passes rescission package to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid, NPR, PBS

    • Moolenaar: Shame on you for voting YES

  • Demand that the plaque acknowledging the bravery of the Capitol Police on January 6, 2021 be installed in the Capitol Building.

• Contact Governor Whitmer (517.335.7858 or via email) and urge her to deny any request from the Trump administration to assist with immigration raids or deploy the National Guard and military to attack Americans exercising their right to protest. The raids are not warranted, and they are following no sound or rational policy. The attacks on our rights and on our communities must stop, and our Governors must condemn these authoritarian tactics.

• Help Free Carlos Menjivar from ICE Detention. Movimiento Cosecha GR and GR Rapid Response to ICE are launching a community campaign to #FreeCarlos and they are calling on the public for support. Call your representatives. More information here.

• Attend any of the events below

• BONUS ROUNDS:

  • Read I Resisted Putin in Russia.Here’s the Right Way to Protest by Gary Kasparov. The article has talking points to call senators, congresspeople and local elected representatives about, including that they demand hearings about every unlawful, unconstitutional and questionable action taken by the executive branch such as use of federal forces against peaceful protestors, attacks on journalists, and support of lawsuits against offending agents. Remember the republican lead hearings like those held regarding Hillary Clinton’s email accounts.

  • Check out “the very first installment in the USDAC’s (U.S. Department of Arts and Culture) new Vital Conversations series: real talks with brilliant thinkers whose insights can help all of us find our way in this moment.” Episode 1: The Role of the Artist During Fascism

  • Eat at Culver’s on June 24 and do good at the same time! Tuesday, June 24, 5 - 8 pm. In support of farmland preservation, all ten Culver’s locations in Kent County will host a Share Night on Tuesday, June 24, to raise awareness and funding for the Kent County Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program. At the event, 10 percent of all sales will benefit the program. Guests can enjoy a great meal, see tractors (at each location), and contribute to an important cause. (Byron Center, Caledonia, Cascade, Cedar Springs, Comstock Park, East Beltline, Lowell, Rockford, Walker, Wyoming)

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IGGR Events

Wednesday, June 18 at 12 pm. Protect Social Security Rally at the Social Security Office, 3045 Knapp St NE, GR.

Wednesday, June 18 from 7:00 - 8:00 pm. "State of Civil Rights and What You Can Do to Protect Them," Fountain Street Church Chapel, 24 Fountain Street SE. Lily Eggers from the ACLU will present an overview of the status of legislation, executive orders and current lawsuits and how they affect our civil rights and civil liberties. Get a better understanding of these rights and freedoms at this moment and learn what you can do to protect them.

Lily Eggers is an Organizing Strategist for Southwest Michigan at the ACLU of Michigan. Lily joined the ACLU of Michigan in October of 2022 as an organizer, contributing to the passing of Proposal 3- 2022 (Reproductive Freedom for All) to secure access to reproductive rights in Michigan. From 2023-2024, she worked on a voting rights and democracy project to ensure Michiganders knew about their newly won voting rights and worked with election officials to implement new policies and ensure folks had access to the ballot. In her current role as an Organizing Strategist, Lily works with people in their own communities to educate and organize in pursuit of civil rights and civil liberties protections.

Saturday and Sunday, June 21 (12 - 10 pm) and 22 (12 - 8 pm). Pride Festival at Calder Plaza. IGGR will have a booth at the Grand Rapids Pride Festival. This is a great opportunity to promote IGGR in our community. Volunteers are needed to chat with people, hand out stickers, and let everyone know about the mission of Indivisible. Shifts are:

• Saturday 11:30 am - 3:15 pm, 3:15-7:00 pm, 7:00-10:30 pm

• Sunday 11:30 am -2:30 pm, 2:30-5:30 pm, 5:30-8:30 pm

Sign up here and please specify you’re interested in volunteering for the Pride Event and which shift/s you like. Thank you!

Friday, June 20 at 4:30 to 6 pm. Bridge Takeover Protest. 54th Street over US 131. Future dates/locations:

• June 27--Veterans Memorial Bridge on North Park over the Grand River (to target Food Truck Friday people)

• July 4--Fuller Ave over I-196

• July 11--Veterans Memorial (North Park) Bridge

• July 18--Fuller Ave over I-196

• July 25--54th over US 131

• August 1--Veterans Memorial (North Park) Bridge--Last one as Food truck Fridays ends

• August 8-Fuller Ave over I-196

• August 15--Hall Street over US 131

Wednesday, June 25 at 6 pm. IGGR Meetup. Third Nature Brewery. 7733 Childsdale Ave NE, Rockford, MI. Dogs are welcome on the patio! Other meetups scheduled: Wednesday, July 16 at Broadleaf Brewery, 2885 Lake Eastbrook Blvd SE, Kentwood and Wednesday, August 13 at The Mitten 527 Leonard St NW, GR

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EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

Monday, June 16 at 12 pm. Tesla Takedown. Tesla Showroom in Grand Rapids, 2919 29th St SE.

Thursday, June 19 at 12 pm. 2025 Afro Gaga Parade and Celebration. The parade begins at noon at Hall and Eastern. The procession features Pan-African displays of love, inspiration and pride for the people. Join the community on an adventure as you travel south on Eastern to Crofton St. SE, while beautiful melodies of the motherland lead attendees into an atmosphere filled with positivity. The Dickinson Park (1635 Willard St SE) event will immediately follow, with activities and cultural experiences such as African Drummers. Live music, raffle giveaways, food, and more! ( Until 7pm.)

Friday, June 20 at 3:00  - 5:00 pm. Save Our Rural Hospitals Rally, U of M Health-Sparrow, 406 East Elm Street Carson City, MI. We’re teaming up with Indivisible groups across the region to fight back against the so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” — what we’re calling the Reverse Robin Hood Bill — which would slash Medicaid funding in Michigan. These cuts threaten to shut down rural hospitals, lay off healthcare workers, and leave thousands of families without access to care.

We’re heading to a critical rally in support of U of M Health-Sparrow, where staff, patients, and concerned citizens will speak out. This event isn’t just symbolic — it’s a show of force to let lawmakers know we’re watching and we will not stand down.

Yes, it's a drive — but it's worth it. When rural communities are under attack, we show up. Sign up here.

Saturday, June 21 at 12 pm. Support Our Veterans and VA Rally. Michigan Veterans Home, 2950 Monroe Ave NE, GR. (Alternating Saturdays 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, June 21 at 10 am to 12 pm. No GEO MI Protest. Webber Township Community Park on M-37 north of Baldwin. The purpose of this protest is to raise public awareness of the horrendous human rights violations and ugly business of immigrant detention by GEO. GEO is an 1800 bed for-profit immigrant detention center that will open on July 14, to incarcerate the victims of Trump's ICE arrests. Organized by the Manistee County Democratic Party, in partnership with the other CD2 Democratic parties and a coalition of groups. Watch for updates, follow details and contact organizers via Signal at No GEO MI. Register here:https://mobilize.us/s/K1ZVmQ

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Michigan Updates

These stories have crossed our computer screens of late and we want you to be aware of them.

• Should refusing vaccines be a civil right in Michigan? Some (GOP) lawmakers say yes

• Michigan GOP budget takes aim unisex school bathrooms, ‘woke’ universities, email pronouns

• Time to rewrite the Michigan Constitution? Voters will decide 2026 ballot proposal. If approved, constitutional convention delegates would have the discretion to make any number of amendments — or even rewrite the document entirely.

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