Take Action Tuesday, June 24 - June 30

Actions and Information

This is What Democracy Looks Like

Thank you everyone who participated in the No Kings Rallies on June 14th. Together we are stronger, and together we made a difference. Let’s celebrate our incredible accomplishment!
(video: No Kings rally at Ah-Nab-Awen Park, Grand Rapids Michigan on June 14, 2025)

We’ve been hearing a lot of discussion about the 3.5 percent rule. Based on a sample of historical movements, governments have not been able to withstand an opposition of 3.5 percent of the people who are mobilized against it. This is a general rule of thumb. Erica Chenoweth (author and academic dean who researched and developed the 3.5 percent rule) explains that certain factors are likely just as important in achieving success: momentum, organization, strategic leadership, and sustainability:  Questions, Answers, and Some Cautionary Updates Regarding the 3.5% Rule | Harvard Kennedy School

Although we don’t have an exact number, more than five million and up to six million is considered a reasonable estimate for No Kings attendance. We know participation was greater than the Hands Off rally in April this year.

We also need to consider all the people who sympathize with and support the movement but didn’t attend the rally. Chenoweth explains:  

 “If a movement can mobilize 3.5 percent of the population to participate, there are likely much larger proportions of the population that sympathize with and support the movement.”-Erica Chenoweth.

No Kings rallies at Ah-Nab-Awen Park and Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids MI on June 14th, 2025

What do We the People do next? First, take a deep breath and remind yourself we’re in a marathon, not a sprint. Set healthy boundaries, take care of yourself, pace your activities. Take a few days off from the news and politics when you need to and take a break from social media. Come back stronger and focused. And one of the most important things we can do in our everyday lives is continue to talk with anyone we can about No Kings.This is a great introduction to Indivisible and how we will keep growing our movement to reach the 3.5 percent.

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”
- Frida Kahlo, prominent Hispanic artist

Actions and Information for this week:

1. Only Congress can declare war. Trump has bombed Iran without a vote of Congress and against the will of the people. Send an email now to tell your U.S. senators to sign on to support Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution: Tell Your Senators: No War With Iran | Indivisible Guide and email your U.S. House representative here: Tell Congress: No War with Iran | Indivisible Guide

2. Call our Senators Now – No War with Iran! On June 21, Trump announced airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, pulling the U.S. into a conflict initiated by Israel without Congressional authorization required for a declaration of war. Call to demand that Donald Trump cannot be allowed to bypass Congress taking our country into this war: Stop US Involvement in the Israel-Iran Conflict ⭑ 5 Calls

3. Contact our senators and representatives – We must stop this Big Budget Bill. It is not beautiful for anyone but the wealthy. Call, email, or go to their office to tell them hands off our health care, food, and futures. No one wants to add trillions to our debt or give tax cuts to the wealthy while the working class pays for it all. If you aren’t already, contact your rep and senators multiple times a week. Use 5 calls App:  Oppose H.R. 1: the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" ⭑ 5 Calls  

4. Join the campaign to get ICE out of Kent County. GR Rapid Response to ICE is calling on people to take the following actions: Boycott Avelo Airlines. Sign the action alert to get the Kent County Commission to adopt a Sanctuary policy: tinyurl.com/KentCountySanctuary - Attend the July 24th Kent County Commission meeting to urge they adopt a Sanctuary policy, 8:30 am at the County Building. Join the work of Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE - send an email to: info@grrapidresponsetoice.org

   

5. Oppose ICE immigration raids and deployment of Michigan National Guard or military against Michigan residents who are exercising their First Amendment rights of peaceful protest – Whitmer and other Democratic governors condemn Trump deploying National Guard amid ICE protests • Michigan Advance - Call Governor Whitmer’s office (517-335-7858) to urge her to oppose any request from the Trump administration to assist with ICE immigration raids and to stand firm on refusing deployment of the Michigan National Guard and military against our own Michigan residents while exercising their First Amendment rights of peaceful protest.

6. In a unanimous and recent ruling, the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed that individuals facing deportation have the constitutional right to due process. Avelo Airlines began operating from the Gerald Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids in March, 2025: Avelo Airlines launches nonstop flights from Grand Rapids to North Carolina and Florida - Avelo has also signed a contract with the Department of Homeland Security to handle deportation flights for ICE: Budget carrier Avelo Airlines has an expansion plan — deport migrants for ICE - CBS News - For more information on boycotting Avelo: The Coalition to Stop Avelo

7. Protest Avelo Airlines – Saturday June 28, 10 -11:30 am, Patterson and 44th St SE, GR (outside the Gerald Ford Intl. Airport).

8. Save our Public Lands - Call our senators and demand they vote NO on the budget bill: The Senate’s Reconciliation Bill would auction off millions of acres of our cherished public lands to the oil, gas, coal, and logging industries to give more tax cuts to billionaires. Oppose the Sale of Public Lands in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act (UPDATED 6/16) ⭑ 5 Calls

9. Despite overwhelming public opposition, the House has passed a recissions package that would eliminate 1.1 billion in already-approved funding for public media. This strips essential services from communities and could force rural stations off the air. Contact our senators now and urge them to vote NO: Urge Congress: Save Public Media

   

10. Talk to friends, neighbors, family – We probably all know someone who was new to protesting at the No Kings Rally. Offer a listening ear for debriefing and also encourage them to now follow up with their congressional representatives about their own personal and most concerning issues. They might need help identifying who to contact and how: phone calls, postcards, emails, etc. Suggest they write down 2 or 3 key talking points, keep it simple and to the point. There is surely a way for everyone to feel comfortable pushing back on the budget reconciliation bill that is currently in the hands of the Senate.

11. Display a flag - We are reclaiming our flag. This is a great time to display an American flag outside your home, inside a window, or a car bumper sticker.

12. Share your West MI Indivisible info (business) cards – This is a great conversation starter. When you talk with anyone about No Kings, it’s the perfect moment to give them a card. This is how we grow our movement to reach 3.5 percent. If you don’t have any cards yet, we’ll pass out more at all our events, ex. Coffee and Whine gatherings at The Borough. If you’re not able to attend meetings and events but would like cards, please email:  westmiindivisible@gmail.com

13. Volunteer – Help to organize our West MI Indivisible Good Trouble Rally July 17. We would like to have our own rally in the West MI area. We need volunteers to help organize the event: email: westmiindivisible@gmail.com to volunteer. We need YOU to make it happen in West MI!

Ongoing Actions:

Wednesday June 25, Protest to Protect Social Security, join us at 3045 Knapp St. NE, GR. High-visibility location at the sidewalk in front of the SSA building and Aldi’s, across from the East Beltline Meijer (easy parking in the Aldi’s lot and just a few steps to the sidewalk). Take a photo and submit to our Bluesky social media specialist Maggie at: westmiindivisible.social@gmail.com

Friday June 27, Bridge Takeover Protest, Veterans Memorial Bridge on North Park over the Grand River.

Wednesday July 2, Protest to Protect Social Security. See details above.

Friday July 4, Bridge Takeover Protest, Fuller Ave over I-196.

Upcoming Events:

Good Trouble Zoom events - Good Trouble Lives On is a national day of nonviolent action to respond to the attacks posed on our civil and human rights by the Trump administration and to remind them that in America, the power lies with the people. On July 17, the anniversary of Congressman John Lewis’s passing, we’re taking action across the country to defend our democracy and carry forward his legacy of Good Trouble. Please join us in an informational call for Good Trouble, dates available June 25, July 3, July 10:  GOOD TROUBLE LIVES ON - National Day of Action · John Lewis Actions

Coffee and Whine - Tuesday July 15, 9:30-11:00 am - a safe space for talking about what’s on your mind and making new friends. Register at: West MI Indivisible Coffee & Whine

Coming Soon - We are in the beginning stages of organizing a West MI Indivisible Happy Hour for the end of July. Please email: westmiindivisible@gmail.com to help out. Brew and Renew? Democracy on Draft? Act Local, Drink Local? Just picking the name is already fun! 

West MI Indivisible
Summer Schedule Announcement:

We are spending the month of July to determine our next important steps, structure, and process moving forward. Susan and Jennie will be meeting with our regional Indivisible director during July. We will not be having our usual large group meeting this month on July 22. Instead we are encouraging everyone to participate in a Good Trouble rally on Thursday, July 17.  Search mobilize.us for the nearest rally. Hopefully someone from our group will step forward and help organize a rally right here in West MI. If not, there are already several rallies planned throughout the state. Our next whole group meeting will be on Tuesday, August 19 at 4:30 pm at the Grandville Public Library. You might want to take the month of July to explore and read information at the indivisible.org website. There is a lot of great information at the site.

Our Substack newsletter will resume on August 5th and will post every two weeks.

"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.