May 16, 2026 Newsletter
"Heroism is neither being perfect, nor doing something spectacular. In fact, it's just the opposite: it’s regular, flawed human beings choosing to put others before themselves, even at great cost, even if no one will ever know, even as they realize the walls might be closing in around them." --Heather Cox Richardson
NOTES FROM LEAH:
I am so exhausted, burned out, and frustrated. I am so very tired of the political divide. Right v Left. Democrat v Republican. Conservative v Liberal. It is all a giant cult of personality. Shouldn't the real question be right v wrong? Why do we bow down and worship one politician over another? Regardless of political affiliation, the reality is that many elected officials work for big money donors, not for us.
If we want to see real change in our community, our state, and our country, we need to focus on issues, not names. Is it right or wrong for children in the United States to go hungry? Is it right or wrong for full-time workers to need government assistance to afford food and rent? Is it right or wrong for veterans and seniors to go without needed medications and healthcare? Is it right or wrong that the younger generations no longer believe in the American Dream, because they are priced out of the housing market? Is it right or wrong that millionaires and Super PACs buy and sell our elected officials like stocks on the market?
On July 5th we are planning an America 250 - Bridging the Generational Gap event. Our guest speaker will be Professor June Klees. We initially wanted this event to be a community potluck, but state food handling laws prohibit serving food to the general community without a license. As a result, I will be seeking to have the event catered. If you can assist us in raising funds for this event, you can make a donation at: Indivisible Project on a local level — Donate via ActBlue Any excess funds will be used to finance future meetings and events.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Promote the Vote
Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7pm
Bay College Heirman Center, Rm. 952
Delta County Unified will host McKenzie Walz from Promote the Vote. McKenzie will be speaking on voting rights, election security, and proof of citizenship. She will also answer questions we may have.
RSVP here:
Take Action Tuesday Protests
Every Tuesday, 12-1:30pm corner of Lincoln & Ludington
Take Action Tuesday protests take place every Tuesday in front of Walgreen's in Escanaba. Please do not park in the Walgreen's lot.
Flag Day - June 14th
Indivisible is planning something, but has not released details yet. Please save the date as details will be forthcoming.
REQUESTS, INVITATIONS AND INFORMATION FROM OTHER ORGANIZATIONS:
From Delta Dems:
Liz Reed, Director of Tri-County Safe Harbor, will be speaking at our (Delta Dems) June meeting about the status, impact and needs of this organization.
They will also be supporting our community by donating pantry items or cash, and will present these to Director Reed at the meeting. Please bring your donation to the Weds, June 3 meeting or contact Yvette for pick up at yvetteeagle7@gmail.com or 757-573-5003.
Thank you in advance for supporting this organization as we continue to live our values out loud.
From Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bay de Noc (UUBDN)
Hello!
We are ready to launch our next Call Blitz, and we need your help. Please join us in demanding that members of the House oppose the Reconciliation 2.0 bill.
Following the Department of Homeland Security budget passage in April, this new reconciliation bill threatens to provide billions more for ICE and CBP without necessary checks, balances, or structural reforms. We are calling on Members of Congress to vote "no" on a bill that imperils our communities without enacting essential safeguards.
In solidarity with our interfaith partners, we are holding a national interfaith call-in day next Tuesday, May 19. We look forward to seeing the UU community show up for this important effort.
If you'd like to sign up for the Call Tsunami, here's the link: UU Call Tsunami
NOTES FROM INDIVISIBLE "WHAT'S THE PLAN?" NATIONAL MEETING (4-23-26):
1) LaTosha Brown from Black Voters Matter was an incredibly inspirational guest speaker. She shared about this weekend's "All Roads Lead to the South" which is a huge movement of people from other Southern cities being bussed to Montgomery, AL for a protest. If you'd like to donate to Black Voters Matter, here's the link:
https://blackvotersmatterfund.org/donate/
2) They weren't ready to share details but said "Save the Date" for a big action on June 14!
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 - May 21, 2026
THREE-MINUTE CALL TO ACTION:
You have two options this week or, better yet, do both!
Option 1: Sign the ACLU's petition to the Governor of Tennessee to stay the execution of Tony Carruthers. There is evidence indicating that Carruthers may be innocent, but the State is refusing to test DNA evidence from the scene of the crime--including fingerprints--that could match another named suspect. The ACLU plans to present this petition to Governor Bill Lee early next week. If Lee does not intervene, Carruthers will be executed on Thursday! Here's an informative article about the case: Axios article - Tony Carruthers
Here's the link to sign the petition: ACLU petition to stop the wrongful execution of Tony Carruthers
Option 2: Sign up for the UU "Call Tsunami" mentioned above. This will take about 3 minutes to sign up and about 3 minutes next week to make the three required calls at your specified time.