April 19, 2026 Newsletter
"We can have democracy in this country, or we can have great wealth concentrated in a few hands, but we cannot have both." --Robert Reich
NOTES FROM LEAH:
As we approach the midterms, we need to rally behind unifying messages. If we are to defeat MAGA, we need to focus on issues almost everyone can agree on and bridge the political divide that is ripping our country apart.
Costs for food, housing, healthcare and energy continue to rise. Meanwhile 88 corporations earning over a billion dollars in profits paid no income taxes in 2025. Workers over billionaires and People over Profits are two of the messages I believe we can stand unified behind.
Additionally, heating costs rose 5.6% in Michigan, and utility companies are continuing to ask for more price increases. Utility companies use our money to make huge political contributions to both political parties and for lobbying. Money out of politics is another message I believe will unite the people of Delta County.
We must stand together to ensure we care for our veterans, senior citizens, and children. No veteran should go without housing and healthcare. No senior citizen should be confined to an understaffed nursing home. No child should go to school or bed hungry.
If you support our cause and are able to donate: Donations can be made by Act Blue: Indivisible Project on a local level — Donate via ActBlue Donations will primarily cover overhead costs and events such as our May Day Ice Cream Social. We are also hoping to plan another Flag Day Rally, an America 250 Crossing the Generational Gap event, and a music festival this fall to introduce ourselves to more young people.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday, 12-1:30pm
Join the Take Action Tuesday Protest every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot.
May Day Strong Ice Cream Social - Friday, May 1, 2:30-6pm
We have reserved the Market Square in Escanaba for a May Day Ice Cream Social. This will be an opportunity to provide people with information about Delta County Unified and tell them why we are calling "Mayday!" regarding the things taking place in our country.
May Day Strong - Friday, May 1, all day
Indivisible as asking us to call "mayday" and demand workers over billionaires The national leaders of Indivisible are calling this a dress rehearsal for a wider general strike. No work, no school, no shopping! More info here: May Day Strong
REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
From Delta Dems:
We requested and received a list of local open seats from our County Clerk for the August primary with a filing deadline of April 21. If you plan to run for any of these seats and have filed or plan to, please reply. If you haven't thought about it but may be interested or know someone who would be a good fit, please reply. Let's fill these ballots!!
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District Court Judge - Non-partisan - six-year term - file with the SOS
Road Commission - 2 six-year terms - file with County Clerk
Masonville Township Trustees - 2 partial terms ending 2028 - file with Masonville Township Clerk
Wells Township Supervisor - 1 partial term ending 2028 - file with Wells Township Clerk
Wells Township Trustee - 1 partial term ending 2028 - file with Wells Township Clerk
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On the November ballot - all non-partisan - filing deadline July 21:
All 6 School Districts - Board of Trustees 2-3 seats each District - file with County Clerk:
Bark River-Harris
Big Bay de Noc
Escanaba
Gladstone
Mid Peninsula
Rapid River
Bay College Board of Trustees - 3 six-year terms and 1 two-year partial term ending in 2028 - file with County Clerk
Village of Garden Board - file with Garden Township Clerk
In addition to these, we have many precinct delegate positions available in every precinct - filing deadline May 5 at 4:00pm. A list of precincts and a description is attached.
Also from Delta Dems:
We are once again selling car wash coupons as a fundraiser for our local party. The party receives $2 for each wash purchased.
GREAT NORTH AUTO WASH
2701 North Lincoln Road
Escanaba, MI
If you would like an order form, please email: deltademsmi@gmail.com
Orders are due no later than the May 6 meeting. You can bring them or drop off at the meeting or make arrangements in advance to get us your orders and also be sure to arrange for pickup of the coupons. It takes about two weeks to fulfill the orders.
THREE-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:
Sign Ms. Rachel's petition to shut down the Dilley Detention Center! I rarely recommend signing petitions but this one is being championed by popular children's educator Ms. Rachel. If you don't know about Dilley, it's a concentration camp where our government is jailing immigrant children under horrific conditions (contaminated water, bugs in food, lack of medical care). If you already have a Change.org account this will take about 30 seconds. If you don't, it'll still take less than 3 minutes
Petition to close Dilley Detention Center
NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (3-19-26):
1) They talked a lot about election security and the different ways Trump is trying to mess with elections.
2) There were a lot of questions about May Day. Someone specifically asked if we should be encouraging "No Shopping" even for local businesses and they said yes because we are going for maximum impact on that day. They suggested asking small business owners to join in May Day Strong by closing for the day. They also suggested doing Small Business Saturday on May 2 so that we're still supporting our neighborhood businesses
LINK TO NEXT WEEK’S NATIONAL "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" CALL: