Delta County Unified Newsletter 10/13/2026

"We must recognize that feeling hopeless is a feature, not a bug, of autocracy. Like many who came before us, we must keep our eyes toward the future, knowing each small action plays a part in creating a new founding moment for our country."  —Skye Perryman from her book Ordinary People, Extraordinary Times

NOTES FROM LEAH B:

It has been a wild ride since Trump took office in January of 2025.  Senate Candidate Kelli van Ginhoven and I were talking yesterday about how much has happened in our country in the past two years.  We were remembering the first Hands Off Protest, when our biggest concerns were cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security.  This was followed by the first No Kings protest, when spoke out against Trump's authoritarian overreach.  The aggressive immigration raids, the murder of American citizens by masked ICE agents, and National Guardsmen in our city streets.  There are still people in our county who don't understand why we say "No Kings."

Here we are, almost two years into the Trump Administration.  We still have ICE agents in our streets.  We now have National Guardsmen standing right in front of ballot drop boxes. Numerous press outlets have been banned from the White House.  The most experienced of our military leaders have been ousted, leaving only those who will bow down to Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump.  We have a President openly offering $5,000 bribes to voters if they vote Republican.  We have a Secretary of Defense planning to live stream an execution and MAGA followers are gleefully rejoicing at the prospect.  Most recently, the Trump administration raided the house of a sitting Congresswoman.  

The desperation of Trump and the MAGA enablers is showing.  I'd like to say they are cracking under the strain.  But the reality is, desperate people often do desperate and dangerous things.  We absolutely must take the House and Senate back from MAGA.  We also need to be prepared for what comes after we win the mid-terms.  Trump has an army of Federal ICE Agents who clearly don't care about the laws.  Trump has sent all the men and women who attacked the White House in 2021 back into the streets.  But, we still have the law and the courts on our side.

I'm not sure what things will look like after the mid-terms.  But I am certain the battle will not be over.  I am certain we will need to continue fighting back peacefully through protests, along with calls and letters to editors and elected officials.  I am also certain that as a community, we will need each other more than ever.  Please make sure you vote (early if you can).  Please assist those you know with transportation so they can vote as well.  Take a few days to breath and rest up.  Because I am sure we will need to find the energy to carry on after November 3rd.

Take Action Tuesday Protests

Every Tuesday
12-1:30 PM
SW corner of Lincoln & Ludington, in front of Walgreen's
Escanaba, MI
Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot.  Participants are invited to join Unitarian Universalist Social Action Committee  organizers at Stone's Deli after the event.

League of Women's Voters Candidate Forum
October 14th 6:30 pm
Escanaba City Hall
Candidates will include those running for the 108th State House, the 38th Michigan Senate, and the 94th District Court Judge.

Abdul El-Sayed Town Hall w/ Special Guest AOC!
Wednesday, Oct 15
11 AM
location will be provided upon sign-up. To RSVP, click here

"No Kings: Vote Early" March for Democracy
Saturday, Oct 17
1 PM
In front of the fairgrounds, across the road from Gordon Foods
Escanaba
The next Indivisible National Event is on October 17th and is geared towards reminding people to vote and vote early.  We determine what comes next by who we vote for.  We will March from the fairgrounds (on the sidewalk) for about a mile and then back.  

Delta County Unified In Person Meeting
Wednesday, Oct. 21
5:30 PM
United Memorial Methodist Church in Gladstone
Please bring your own drinks and a dish to pass if you are able.


NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (08-21-26):

Once again, the focus of the meeting was election integrity and No Kings: VOTE EARLY. 

Link to podcast version of meeting:

What's the Plan podcast - new episodes every Friday

Link to next week's national "What's the Plan?" call:

Indivisible What's the Plan - Thursday Oct 15, 2026    

REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:

From Delta Dems:

This chart was adapted from the Houghton County Dems newsletter. All thanks to them!

FALL ELECTION DATES

October 19

Last day to register to vote online or by mail (registration in person at your local clerk’s office is still available up to and including Election Day.)

October 24

Early in-person voting begins. The early voting site for all Delta County precincts is the Wells Township Hall at 6436 N. 8th St, Wells.

November 3

Election Day

3-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:

Even if you can't make it yourself, share the information about Abdul El-Sayed's Wednesday town hall with at least three people. Here's the link to share:  Abdul El-Sayed Escanaba Town Hall