Take Action Tuesday, June 3 - June 9
Actions and Information
Indivisible believes we are in a constitutional crisis. The prolific use of executive orders (and the lawsuits against them) appears to provide evidence for that.
The number of executive orders signed since January 20, 2025 is staggering in this short period of time. As of May 27, 2025 Trump has signed 157 executive orders.The AP (Associated Press) tracker shows 88 cases against these EO’s now partially or fully blocked, 49 left in effect, and 78 cases pending. This website also indicates the judge for each case and which president appointed them, going back to Reagan: Tracking the lawsuits against Donald Trump's executive actions | AP News
Historically, presidents of both parties have used executive orders with both positive and negative consequences. In Trump’s first week in office 2025, he used an EO to rescind Lyndon Johnson’s historic EO that requires government contractors to comply with civil rights protections. What Is an Executive Order and How Does it Work? | American Civil Liberties Union
Executive orders can be stopped by the courts holding that an EO is unlawful if it violates the Constitution or a federal statute. A president misuses EO’s if that president orders the government to take actions that violate the Constitution. And if a court’s decision is ignored, it surely gives evidence to a constitutional crisis.
Sources:
AP News, Tracking the lawsuits against Donald Trump’s executive actions. May 30, 2025; ACLU, What Is an Executive Order, and How Does it Work? Feb. 5, 2025.
“Adversity does not build character–it reveals it.” - James Lane Allen
Actions and Information for this week:
Call our Senators regularly – Demand that Senator Peters and Senator Slotkin oppose the House budget reconciliation bill, H.R. 1 for many reasons. In addition to slashing access to health care, there is a provision that will eliminate the enforcement of contempt of court. The Trump regime will use this to defy court orders and the Constitution. We must protect the law. Stand up Senators against authoritarianism! Use 5 calls App: Defend Medicare and Medicaid from Cuts in the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act - PASSED HOUSE (UPDATED 5/22)
Email Our Michigan Attorney General – Contact Dana Nessel to urge her to use her authority against ICE overreach. We need to protect our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and due process. The first link gives background and a sample email: https://www.bluestatedefiance.org/ice or create your own email. General email address: miag@michigan.gov
Invite Four People to No Kings Events – Research shows that we need to have 3.5% of the population to participate for a successful movement to bring about change. We had an estimated 3.5 million people around the world at the Hands Off rally in April. Our goal number to reach is 11 million in the U.S. Invite your friends, family, organizational acquaintances to the No Kings Rally on Saturday, June 14 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am in downtown GR at Ah-Nab-Awen Park with Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids. Plan a fun carpool to get downtown!
REGISTER HERE.
Make a day of it and attend the No Kings! Democracy Over Dictatorship Rally at Rosa Parks Circle (sponsored by 50501) Saturday, June 14 from 12:00 pm - 2 p.m. REGISTER HERE.
We can all be a part of making NO KINGS the biggest day of solidarity yet – start by promoting Indivisible’s NO KINGS rally on your social media now. Find graphics and messages to post here and personalize for the Grand Rapids Rally beginning at 10:00 am, Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown GR: No Kings Download graphics directly here: No Kings - June 14 | Brandfolder
Call your representative – Share your thoughts with your representative on the Trump-Republican budget proposal defunding LIHEAP (Low Income Heating & Energy Assistance Program). LIHEAP assists six million households and helps Americans keep their homes safely heated and cooled in winter and summer. Not having access to AC in extreme heat (especially in urban areas in ‘heat islands’) and losing heat and/or attempting to heat a home in winter by unsafe methods has proven fatal. With climate extremes these risks increase. Greater than fifty percent of LIHEAP funds for this lifesaving program go to states that voted for Trump. NPR’s Morning Edition May 15, 2025: Trump budget proposal would end energy assistance program for low-income Americans : NPR
Representative Huizenga (R - 4th District)
Washington D.C.: 202-225-4401Representative Moolenaar (R - 2nd District)
Washington D.C.: 202-225-3561Representative Scholten (D - 3rd District)
Washington D.C.: 202-225-3831
Celebrate with Pride - We need to celebrate our victories, big or small. It is reported by political scientist Adam Bonica, that Trump and that administration lost 96% of their federal court cases in May. Celebrate these victories by attending the Riverpride celebration in downtown GR on June 8 from 12:00 noon to 10:00 pm at 507 Bridge St. NW in the Bridge Street Entertainment district. This is a fresh, relaxed Pride celebration with face painting, photo booths, and more. See details here: https://www.experiencegr.com/event/riverpride/91951/
Review the ACLU article: Know Your Rights. “The right to protest and express your opinions is one of the most basic and important rights in the United States. Protests play an important role in preserving democracy by raising awareness and bringing about change”—ACLU of Michigan. Take time now to review ACLU of Michigan’s website and article: Know Your Rights When You Protest | ACLU of Michigan
Please Keep Calling, it works. Use your voice by contacting your members of Congress – Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.
Ongoing Actions:
Protest to Protect Social Security – This is an easy and fun action to make a difference and connect with friendly like-minded people. Grab a sign and join us on Wednesday June 4, 12:00 noon, 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). Let’s have people from our group attend this protest every week! Take a photo and submit to our Bluesky media specialist Maggie at: westmi.indivisible.social@gmail.com
Zoom with Indivisible – National Zoom Call, Thursday June 5, 3:00 pm –
a great way to stay updated, motivated, and connected: What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders · IndivisibleRefuse to let anyone go hungry – Help here in Grand Rapids and West Michigan: Kent County Community Action provides resources for food insecurity, transportation (through Ride Link), paying water bills, and a senior services program for those who qualify. For information visit: Community Action | Kent County, MI or call Kent County Community Action at 616-632-7950. Ride Link can be contacted at 844-694-6589. Feeding America West Michigan—Mobile food banks and nutrition support is available during these challenging times from Feeding America as we work together to support each other, our families, friends, and neighbors. Check the website for locations and schedules: Feeding America West Michigan
Upcoming Events:
June 5th - Sign Making Event for No Kings – IGGR (Indivisible Greater GR), Fountain Street Church, 7:00 pm - 24 Fountain St., NE, supplies provided.
June 6th - Bridge Takeover Protest – Fuller Avenue over I-196, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm.
June 6th, D-Day – Support Our Veterans and VA Rally, Michigan Veterans Home, 2950 Monroe Avenue NE, Grand Rapids. Veterans across the United States will gather on June 6, 2025, to protest the Trump administration’s cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as the slashing of staff and programs throughout the government.
June 6th – 2:00 pm ET, National Mall, Washington D.C., Unite for Veterans, Unite For America, Rally with America’s Veterans. Veterans jobs, healthcare, and essential VA services are under attack. Join thousands of veterans, families, and their allies on the National Mall.
June 10th – Sign Making Event for No Kings - West MI Indivisible – 3:30 pm, Grandville Public Library. This will take place right before our regular monthly meeting. We need many in attendance. Make signs for yourself and to give to others that might not have one. All basic materials will be provided (and creative ideas for signs if you need!) Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/793815/
June 10th – West MI Indivisible June Monthly Meeting, 4:30 pm at the Grandville library. *Note new time. Please make an extra effort to attend as we will be planning for the No Kings Rally in addition to our regular planning and actions. Register at: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/793843/
June 14 – NO KINGS Rallies – On June 14th, we rise up! National Indivisible has announced the next nationwide rally strategically on Flag Day (and his mega-million dollar military parade). This country doesn’t belong to a king. Sign the NO KINGS pledge for updates on the June 14 rallies (nationwide) here: No Kings
June 19 - Constituents in US House District 2 – RSVP for Representative John Moolenaar’s Conservative Cafe w/ John Moolenaar - Kent GOP on June 19, 7:30 am at Kent County Republican HQ, 3260 Eagle Park Drive NE, Grand Rapids, 49525.
June 21-22 - GR PRIDE Festival 2025 - “Unapologetically Proud,” Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids, 12:00 noon - 10:00 pm on June 21; 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm on June 22. The first Pride Celebration was held at the Monroe Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids in 1988. Over 37 years later, it’s grown into one of the largest events in GR. For details: Pride Festival - Grand Rapids Pride Center
June 21 - Holland Juneteenth Freedom Festival, Kollen Park 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm. For details: Holland Juneteenth Festival | Michigan Democratic Party
June 28 - Holland Pride Festival, Kollen Park 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. For details: Holland Pride Fest *note NEW location!* | Michigan Democratic Party
Thank you Carol for hosting our Coffee and Whine meet-up. Great conversation and connections! Thank you to all of us West MI Indivisibles for standing up and speaking out every single day so that we save our democracy!
"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.
