Take Action Tuesday, May 6 - May 12
Actions and Information
“Nobody will save us unless we stand up and organize ourselves.”
-Ezra Levin, co-founder Indivisible (Thursday 5-1-25, Zoom)
Trump wants tanks in the street and a made-for-TV display of dominance for his birthday. A spectacle meant to look like strength. But real power isn’t staged in Washington. It rises up everywhere else.
Actions and Information for this week:
Protest to Protect Social Security - If you’re wondering how to make a difference and connect with friendly like-minded people, this is an easy and fun action. Grab a sign and join us at the social security office on Wednesday May 7, 12 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 it’s 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
Call our senators to urge them to oppose ALL remaining cabinet nominations by the Trump Administration. It’s critical for the Democrats to stand united with a strong opposition to this authoritarian administration:
Senator Elissa Slotkin – Washington D.C. office: 202-224-4822
Senator Gary Peters – Washington D.C. office: 202-224-6221
Boycott Amazon, May 6-12 – Hold billionaire Bezos accountable for bending to transparency on tariffs, anti-union practices, etc. Organized by The People’s Union USA. Now is the time to shop Costco, La Familia Stop-N-Shop (1066 Cesar E. Chavez Ave.) and local businesses. Buy yourself some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. If you have businesses to promote, please write in the comments below.
Sign Petition – Follow link to sign petition, make calls, etc. to demand continued funding for programming from NPR and PBS. Be our current day Mr. Rogers. Protect My Public Media
Support Independent News – During the past election, the majority of Democrats continued to receive their political news from traditional media outlets like MSNBC, NBC News NOW, CNN, ABC, and CBS. On the other side, the MAGA Republicans were still fixed on FOX, OAN, and Newsmax but were also heavily influenced by right-wing podcasters like Joe Rogan, Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, and Turning Point USA.
Democrats have taken notice in a big way and are now competing head-on with the right-wing echo chamber. Recently, the Meidas Touch Network podcast viewership surpassed that of Joe Rogan’s. Here are a few independent
pro-democracy podcasts that are speaking truth to power:
Meidas Touch Network: Ben Meiselas and Michael Popok
MeidasTouch - YouTubeBrian Tyler Cohen: Brian Tyler Cohen, Glenn Kirschner, and Mark Elias
Brian Tyler Cohen - YouTubeThe David Pakman Show: David Pakman
David Pakman Show - YouTubeThe Bulwark: Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, Jonathan V. Last, and Sam Stein
The Bulwark - YouTubePod Save America: Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer, and Tommy Vietor
Pod Save America - YouTubeIf there are other independent podcasts that support pro-democracy values that you believe everyone should be aware of, please leave the name of the show and its link in the Comment section below.
“We must support independent media,
we cannot rely on mainstream media now.”
-Ezra Levin, co-founder Indivisible (Thursday 5-1-25, Zoom)
Please Keep Calling, it works. Use your voice by contacting your members of Congress – Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121.
NEWS – from our teams:
Federal:
For those in District 4, go to Representative Huizenga’s Office (170 College Ave. Suite 160, Holland, MI 49423) on Fridays: May 16, 23, 30 from noon to 1:00 pm. Write a note to slide under the door with your message.
Education:
Call your senators and representative to support IDEA Full Funding Act (S.2177 / HR.2598) to give ALL students the support they need. Use 5 Calls for phone numbers: 5 Calls
Email Congress to say NO to vouchers. This $10 billion a year tax scheme endangers public schools (S.292 / HR.817):
Senator Peters: Email Gary | Senator Gary Peters
Senator Slotkin: Contact Your Senator - Senator Elissa Slotkin
U.S. Representative Scholten: Contact | Representative Hillary Scholten
U.S. Representative Huizenga: Contact | U.S. House of Representatives
Oppose the GOP-led proposal to cut funding to public schools. Call, email, or send a postcard: 202-224-3121, Contact Us | Congress.gov
Local:
Attend our Coffee and Whine event on Wednesday, May 7 at 9:30 am at The Borough coffee shop (on the south side of GVSU’s campus next to Campus View Apts.). Easy parking right in front! Postcards, conversation, and whining provided.
Coffee and Whine · Mobilize
Rallies, Gatherings, & Success Stories from this past week:
Please send us your photos taken from local events each week so we can highlight: westmiindivisible@gmail.com (for our Substack) and westmi.indivisible.social@gmail.com (for our Bluesky social media).
Ongoing Actions:
Bridge Takeover Protest (IGGR-sponsored event). Friday May 9, 4:30-6:00 pm, 54th Street over US 131.
Call GVSU to support their DEI programs:
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
Indivisible – National Zoom Call, Thursday May 8, 3:00 pm: What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Indivisible’s Co-Founders · Indivisible
Protest for Progress – GR Trans Foundation: ✔️Weekly Protest for Trans Rights - Grand Rapids Trans Foundation - Sundays, 10:30 am - 12:00 noon. Monument Park, 3 Fulton Street Grand Rapids, 49503.
Upcoming Events:
May 7 – West MI Indivisible Coffee and Whine 9:30 am. - let’s meet, chat, and support each other: Coffee and Whine · Mobilize
May 13 – West MI Indivisible Monthly Meeting, 3:00 pm. Bring your ideas to our May 13th meeting so West MI Indivisible can help make NO KINGS even bigger than the April rally! We need to brainstorm: posters, media, social media, photography, carpooling, parking, and more. We have just five weeks to grow participation and momentum for NO KINGS rallies right here in West Michigan. We can do this. RSVP: West MI Indivisible May 13 meeting
May 19 – West’s Book Club, 7:00 pm. Our book this month is: The Small and the Mighty. RSVP: The Small and the Mighty Book Discussion West MI Indivisible · Mobilize
June 14 – NO KINGS Rally - On June 14th, we rise up! National Indivisible has announced the next nationwide rally strategically on Flag Day (and a birthday we won’t talk about). This country doesn’t belong to a king. Sign the NO KINGS pledge for updates on the June 14 rally here: No Kings
"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.
Folks, appreciate all you do! And it’s making a difference.
I do have a concern about the language under the “state” portion of this Substack that implies we have a problem with election security in this state, and that we need a “hand recount.” Where is this coming from? Investigation after investigation has shown that our elections ARE secure. To imply otherwise, with no proof, is very concerning, frankly irresponsible and contributes to our misinformation epidemic.
Please either provide proof that there is a problem, and what the problem is, or promptly delete that section of the post. Thank you.