Take Action Tuesday, April 15-21
Actions and Information
Action is an Antidote
We continue to grow in numbers with our group and the actions that we take!
Take a breath, and here we go for this week.
Actions and Information for this week:
Attend – Join the Protect Social Security rally at the Social Security Office at 3045 Knapp St. NE, GR. Wednesday April 16, 12 pm.
Call – Yes, we will keep calling. Call our Senators Slotkin and Peters and demand their support of legislation (e.g., Trade Review Act 2025) that reclaims Congress’s authority over trade and blocks Trump’s nonsensical tariffs. Use 5 calls app
5 CallsInvestigate – Our Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids neighbors have put together a list of resources so that you can 1) determine your national, state, and some local representatives, 2) access resources to track Federal and Michigan legislation, 3) and track congressional votes. Follow the link: Resources for You - by Indivisible GRR
NEWS - from our teams:
Social Safety Net
Social Security: Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is compiling details on problems with social security services and disruption of benefits.
You can now report any social security problems/disruption to MI Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office through this new online form: Report Social Security Disruptions
Contact West MI Indivisible Social Safety Net Committee leader - Susan (susansorg58@gmail.com) to join the committee, provide resources, etc. Don’t worry if you’re not able to attend meetings or if you’re not sure what skills you can offer! We need and appreciate everyone who is interested in sharing experience and ideas, helping with online research, and making calls to local offices.
Federal
SAVE Act-Silencing Americans Act: Did you change your name when married? The SAVE Act could make it more difficult for you to register to vote. This is a voter suppression bill that would require an original birth certificate and/or passport to prove citizenship. Nearly one-half of Americans do not have a passport, and original birth certificates for millions of women do not match their current legal names. Republicans just passed this dangerous bill through the House, and it’s on to the Senate.
Call our U.S. senators now to demand a NO vote on The SAVE Act, S. 128.
Senator Elissa Slotkin - Washington D.C. office: 202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters – Washington D.C. office: 202-224-6221
Contact West MI Indivisible Federal Committee leader - Jessica (revjrw@gmail.com) to join the committee, provide resources, etc.
State
Grand Valley State University is facing significant pressure right now both federally and locally with regards to DEI. Local Ottawa Impact activists are working hard to pressure President Mantella to eliminate DEI. Visas have already been revoked for
at least 2 students this past week. The federal government has launched an investigation into GVSU and its DEI policies.
Support – DEI programs at GVSU by contacting:
President Mantella –
(616) 331-2100 and email president@gvsu.edu
Dr. Bernal, Vice President for Strategy and Chief of Staff to President –
(616) 331-2100 and email bernalie@gvsu.edu
Office of Inclusion and Equity –
(616) 331-3296 and email inclusion@gvsu.edu
Contact West MI Indivisible State Committee leader, Cindy –
(mrcmwarner@att.net) to join the committee, provide resources, etc.
Local
Participate – GR Rapid Response to ICE/Respuesta Rápida al ICE
Join us on Thursday, April 17th at 6pm in front of the ICE office for a rally to demand Sanctuary in GR and end ICE arrests.
Follow this link for information about the City of Grandville boards and commissions and how to apply: Boards & Commissions
Contact West MI Indivisible Local Committee leader - Carol (singinc@comcast.net) to ask for other local board information, join committee, provide resources, etc.
Ongoing actions:
Bridge Takeover Protests
Friday April 18th, 4:30-6 pm, 54th St over US 131.Indivisible - National Zoom Call
Thursdays, 3:00 pm. What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-FoundersProtest for Progress - GR Trans Foundation
Sundays, 1:00 pm. Monument Park, 3 Fulton Street Grand Rapids, 49503.
Upcoming Events:
Lansing Lobby Day - April 22, 9:00 am. We are still in need of one more volunteer to represent us at this event. Full training, support and lunch provided. Contact westmiindivisible@gmail.com to volunteer.
West MI Indivisible Monthly Meeting - April 22, 3:00 pm - Grandville Public Library. We will work on identifying and prioritizing our small group issues for the larger group. Registration and more detailed information at: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/767956/
Any questions, contact westmiindivisible@gmail.com
Tips for Having Political Conversations
Find common ground, ask open-ended questions, listen, avoid personal attacks,
don’t overuse negations, seek to understand - not to win, avoid absolutes.
Paraphrased from Democracy in Retrograde, Sage & Amick
April Book Club Read, West MI Indivisible
"By actively engaging in peaceful protests, raising awareness, and exercising our democratic rights, we can create meaningful change and ensure that oppressive forces do not thrive.” - from BookKey, 30 Best ‘On Tyranny’ quotes.
