Action Items: Week of June 22, 2025
We're all going to be tested. Working together is how we get through this.
…what's happening is that we now have a situation in which all of us are going to be tested in some way and we are going to have to then decide what our commitments are and it will be uncomfortable for a time but that's how you know it's a commitment because you do it when it's hard not just when it's easy not just when it's trendy not just just when it's cool…
President Barack Obama speaking with Heather Cox Richardson on June 17, 2025 at the Connecticut Forum in Hartford, CT
This Week’s Newsletter Contains…
Top 5 Things You Can Do This Week
IGGR Events
Events from Other Organizations
Michigan Updates
New Social Media Channels
Top 5 Things YOU Can Do This Week
We know this list is long. We don’t expect everyone to do everything -- just take actions on the issues that resonate with you. The important thing is to take some kind of action. Each and every week.
Call Senators Peters 202.224.6221 and Slotkin 202.224.4822 (see Resources for You for more contact info)
GENIUS Act, S.1582 (The Genius Act Will Bring Economic Chaos)
Slotkin: So disappointed in your YES vote
Peters: Thank you for your NO vote
Use your oversight authority to promote transparency and guard against human rights abuses in the North Lake Correctional Facility by visiting the ICE Detention facility in Baldwin MI without prior notice. Closed private prison near Baldwin now reopen as ICE processing center
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
Demand enforcement of the order by US District Judge Young (a Reagon appointee with 40 years on the federal bench) regarding the discriminatory nature of the executive order cutting National Institute of Health (NIH) funding because it is racially and sexually discriminatory. Judge Young said in his order from the bench “Have we fallen so low? Have we no shame?” Federal Judge Deems Trump Administration’s Termination of NIH Grants Illegal
Vote 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
Vote NO on H.Con.Res 14 Budget Resolution and HR 1, the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act; join with colleagues to submit resolutions under the Continuing Resolution Act 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“:
Forbids states from regulating artificial intelligence for a period of 10 years
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
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.
Oppose confirmation 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.
Paul Ingrassia to lead the US Office of Special Council which is an independent watchdog agency empowered to investigate federal employees and to oversee complaints from whistleblowers. He is a far-right podcaster known for making incendiary comments, including calling the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) a radically leftist organization. Trump nominates former podcast host with history of inflammatory comments for top ethics job
Emil Bove, one of Trump’s personal lawyers, to a lifetime appointment to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
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. He Built an Airstrip on Protected Land. Now He’s In Line to lead the Forest Service
Oppose Andrea Lucas as chair of U.S. Equal Opportunity Commission (EEOC). She is the Acting Chair of EEOC and she has launched investigations against Trump’s critics, thwarting free speech in universities. In her brief tenure as acting chief she has weaponized the EEOC to increase discrimination.
Support the Senate Joint Resolution 59 offered by Senator Kane, which would limit President Trump’s war powers without congressional approval. The resolution is a direct invocation of the War Powers Resolution of 1973. Democratic senator proposes curbing Trump’s war powers amid Israel-Iran conflict
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. 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 scrutiny of the Trump family businesses, including Trump Mobile because of conflicts of interest. The Trump family’s next venture, a mobile phone company
Oppose HR 2056, the District of Columbia Immigration Compliance Act of 2025. It would require the District of Columbia Government to comply with requests from the federal government to share information and detain non US nationals.
Call Representative Scholten, 202.225.3831 or Moolenaar 202.225.3561
Thank you for voting NO on HR 2056, DC Federal Immigration Compliance Act of 2025.
Please vote NO on the Senate’s (so called) GENIUS Act, S. 1582
Use your oversight authority to promote transparency and guard against human rights abuses in the North Lake Correctional Facility by visiting the ICE Detention facility in Baldwin MI without prior notice. Closed private prison near Baldwin now reopen as ICE processing center
Speak out against the arrest by Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents, of New York City Comptroller and candidate for Mayor, Brad Lander, at an immigration court when he was accompanying someone who had just appeared in the court.
Speak out against the use of the National Guard and military against protestors.
Demand enforcement of the order by US District Judge Young (a Reagon appointee with 40 years on the federal bench) regarding the discriminatory nature of the executive order cutting National Institute of Health (NIH) funding because it is racially and sexually discriminatory. Federal Judge Deems Trump Administration’s Termination of NIH Grants Illegal
Support legislation that limits Trump’s war powers.
Sign up with Stop Avelo Airlines. Avelo Airlines has accepted a $150 million contract to operate deportation flights, aiding in the illegal removal of individuals without their right to a fair hearing or due process. Register to receive updates on planned June 28 protests here.
Join ACLU of Michigan’s weekly Medicaid Advocacy Phone Banking. Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8 pm. Virtual. Reach out to Michiganders across the state to fight for the protection of Medicaid, and accountability to Congress. Sign up here.
Do something tangible to help your neighbors: Contribute to a Kent County food bank. According to a recent Kent County survey, one out of every five adults in our county reported they ran out of food and couldn't buy more or afford balanced meals in the past year. Donate here. Help for food insecure neighbors is available at Find Food - Feeding America West Michigan.
And for extra feel-goods this week - please attend any of the IGGR events or events from other organizations below.
IGGR Events
Wednesday, June 25 at 12 pm. Protect Social Security Rally at the Social Security Office, 3045 Knapp St NE, GR
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
Friday, June 27 at 4:30 to 6 pm. Bridge Takeover Protest. Veterans Memorial Bridge on North Park over the Grand River (to target Food Truck Friday people). Future dates/locations:
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
EVENTS FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
Monday, June 23 at 12 pm. Tesla Takedown. Tesla Showroom in Grand Rapids, 2919 29th St SE. Last Monday protest for the summer!
Monday, June 23 at 11 am. GEO Won’t Work for Michigan Protest. Michigan Works Service Center, located on M-37 in Baldwin. Michigan Works, the state’s job recruitment agency, which facilitates all hiring for the GEO Group at North Lake Correctional Facility. This protest is in response to Michigan Works cooperating with ICE, detaining and kidnapping people in the state. Sponsored by No Detention Centers in Michigan.
Thursday, June 26 from 6:30 - 8 pm. Statewide Webinar: Supreme Court Review in U.S. v Skrmetti. Virtual. discuss the details and breadth of the Skrmetti decision, as well as how it does and does not impact Michiganders. Register here. Sponsored by Equality Michigan and the ACLU of Michigan.
Saturday, June 28 at 11 am - 7 pm. First Annual Flat River Pride. 592 S. Greenville Road, Greenville, MI. Join Voices of Flat River Pride for PRIDE 2025, as they come together to celebrate love, authenticity, and community! This event is all about inclusion, joy, and empowerment, bringing together LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and local businesses for a day filled with celebration. Sponsored by Voices of Flat River Pride.
Saturday, June 28 at 12 pm. Tesla Takedown. Tesla Showroom in Grand Rapids, 2919 29th St SE. Global day to celebrate the success of the Tesla Takedowns and boycotts. Give Elon something to celebrate on his birthday.
Tuesday, July 8 at 6:30 pm. Rank Mi Vote Town Hall. Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain Street NE. Join your fellow citizens at a Town Hall Meeting to learn about the problems in our current voting system and an ambitious plan for a solution: ranked choice voting. Register here. Sponsored by the Rank MI Vote Ballot Question Committee.
Wednesday, July 16 at 7 - 8 pm. Save Medicaid Townhall. Virtual. Join the ACLU of Michigan for a special townhall to learn about how threats to Medicaid will impact our state. Register here.
Michigan Updates
Michigan Senate
We Have More Channels To Follow/Find Us!
IGGR has some new volunteers helping out with our social media, and as they ramp up regular posting, we need your help to grow our channels! Please give our new Facebook page Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids, a follow.
(FYI - The Facebook Group is not going away and is a wonderful way to share lots of information and build connections — whereas the page doesn't require membership or moderation and is a great place for IGGR to share targeted messages. The Page is in addition to the Group.)
If you frequent Bluesky, Instagram, Threads or YouTube, find + follow us there as well!
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/indivisibleggr.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indivisibleggr/
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@indivisibleggr
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@indivisiblegreatergrandrapids
Help Us Educate, Activate and Hold Our Elected Officials Accountable!
We are a 100% volunteer, grass-roots organization and we need all the help we can get. Right now, there are requests for more event, more rallies, more involvement which is great. However, to do that, we need more hands and money.
Can you please help us by volunteering at least an hour a week? Can you donate so we can pay for venues, sound equipment, water, etc?
WE NEED YOU!
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.