July Newsletter

Jen S
Jul 22
8 min read

Updated: Aug 1

More Michigan cities had rallies that day but don't have reported numbers:

Allegan, Bad Axe, Caro, Dexter, Farmington, Gladwin, Milan, and Montague.

Michiganders from all across the State participated in No Kings, and other, rallies to let Republicans and their donors know: We the People are not going to just roll over and let them take away our freedoms and democracy.

So tell us here - Leaders: what is your crowd estimate for Good Trouble Lives On? We'll report out next month!

CALLS TO ACTION

ONE STOP SHOPPING FOR ACTIONS NEAR YOU!

The Resistance Coalition is tracking events around the state!

SWIM is one of the many partner organizations in the Resistance Coalition (RC)! RC is working to keep track of events around the state for you - click this link to see all of the actions submitted by our Indivisible Local Groups and Partner Organizations, from Tesla Townhalls to Bridge Takeovers; from Metro Detroit to the Keweenaw Peninsula! Scroll down to the green rows to see the list of WEEKLY STANDING PROTESTS!

Check out these other resources to access links to protests across the state.

Mivoter.org
Michigan Resistance and Activism Events
We The People Dissent list and map of protests.

NATIONAL BOYCOTTS

Mark your calendars and plan ahead!

All of July & August - Boycott Amazon

All of September - Boycott Walmart

All of October - Boycott Target

All of November & December- Boycott Walmart, Amazon & Target; shop minority-owned businesses (search Black-owned businesses here.)

(from https:generalstrike.us)

Check out https://choosedemocracy.us/boycott-central/#active for lots of active boycotts!

Did we miss any? Post them to our social media pages - see below for direct links.

NEWS FROM INDIVISIBLE NATIONAL

THEORY OF CHANGE

It’s important to keep aligned with Indivisible’s Theory of Change when building local groups. It also helps everyone remember that there is a pro-democracy plan! Register for these informative sessions here. Every Thursday at 3 pm ET with Ezra & Leah.

ONE MILLION RISING

Across the country, authoritarian forces are getting bolder and more dangerous with deportations, rollbacks of civil rights, weaponized courts, and full scale attacks on our democracy. We can stop this, but it will take all of us. Not just on single days of mass action but through sustained organizing in our communities.

That’s why this summer, Indivisible is launching One Million Rising a nationwide effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design. This is how we build a people power led movement that our elected officials and courts can’t ignore. You can sign up for the trainings here.

CONDITIONS FOR CHANGE

For those who were unable to attend IndivisiFest in Washington, DC, Scott shared this PowerPoint “Conditions for Courage” that was the center point of discussion. Targeting the regime’s Pillars of Support is a strategic way to push back on this attempted authoritarian takeover. How can you use this with your group?

JULY LEADER MEETING

Join SWIM for our regularly monthly MI Leader meeting as we host while Scott is abroad! Come hear about this week's launch of the SWIM Slack site, the all-important petition drives that will reach disaffected voters to change the political landscape in our state, The Resistance Summit 4.0 later this week on Tuesday, July 29, and always lively sharing and discussion between our leaders!

Register for the MI Leader meeting here!

PETITION SEASON IS HERE!

It's Petition-Palooza!

It's summertime in Michigan, which means special interest groups in the state are working hard to get their proposals on the 2026 ballot.Petition drives already underway or starting soon include AxMITax (a bad idea to eliminate Michigan property tax and not replace revenue). Other petitions include taxing the state’s wealthiest residents to help fund Michigan schools, proposals that tighten voter ID requirements that make it difficult to vote and disenfranchise married women, and one to adopt ranked-choice voting. Too busy to read the fine print? Circulators aren't obligated to tell you the truth, so here's a handy guide from Bridge Michigan for you and your friends and family. Please share widely.

SWIM is working with Michigan For The Many and Distill Social, to coordinate and streamline petition signature gathering. We also plan to participate in a Day of Action for Petitions later in the fall. Stay tuned for more information.

Signature Collection Training

Register now for general signature collection training and information directly from the Ballot Petition sponsors on the specific petitions). BOTH TRAININGS ARE AT 6PM on Zoom. Register for a day here - choose:

Thursday July 24

Monday July 28

Michiganders may soon encounter petitioners gathering signatures for a proposed constitutional amendment requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. There are two groups behind this effort, PROVE IT, MICHIGAN and AMERICANS FOR CITIZEN VOTING, who each need to collect 450,000 valid signatures to place the proposal on the November 2026 ballot.

If these measures make it to the ballot and voters approve them, they will rewrite existing voter approved language AND would require excessive documentation as proof of citizenship to register to vote. This will lock eligible voters from voting. For example, married women who's names differ from those on their birth certificate may be required for additional proof of identity.

Do not sign ballot petitions about "secure voting"!!!

These are attempts to restrict YOUR right to vote.

Inform your networks about this initiative, and if approached to sign this petition, DECLINE TO SIGN! Despite its presentation, these proposals aims to restrict voter registration in Michigan rather than enhance electoral integrity.

Keep an eye out for this and other deceptive petitions coming our way from the folks at the MI GOP. You can access a handout to help share this information here.

If you want help defeat these measures from making it onto the ballot you can sign up for Voters Not Politician training here.

GROUP SHOUT-OUTS!

INGHAM COUNTY TAKES CHARGE

Ingham County residents took up task to let 4th of July parade goers know that their Congressman sold them out by posting these posters on the parade route:

The simple message says, "BARRETT SOLD US OUT"

This kind of creativity can be used all across our State as leaflet drops on our neighbor's doors, handbills stapled to utility poles at intersections, laundromats, parks, etc. Any place where people are.

NEWS FROM WESTERN WAYNE INDIVISIBLE

Not only did they distribute all the seeds packets they got from SWIM, but they 200 more & distributed them as well. They added their website on mailing labels (3 per label) & added those to the seed pack, gave the seed packs to the kids & fliers for their group to the adults. Fourth of July parade, farmers markets & art fairs - they were everywhere!!

NEWS FROM WE THE PEOPLE DISSENT - DETROIT

We The People Dissent Indivisible - Detroit organized a great Elbows Up protest to show our support for our Canadian neighbor. They are sharing this sign-on letter addressed to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney:

https://www.friendsxborders.org/elbowsup. SWIM has signed on and we hope your individual groups will consider doing so as well.

It is amazing how many people still do not realize all the manipulations around this bill. Please share this information with your members and across social media.

ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER

The environmental impact of the Big Beautiful Betrayal cannot be understated. Among many other things, it will lead to cuts in clean energy jobs and programs, eliminate jobs, increase energy costs and reliance on fossil fuels, and weaken public health and environmental protections,.

You can learn more from our partners at the Michigan League of Conservation Voters.

If you have something for this section or would like to be involved with a working group focused on the environment, please contact Lynne Cavazos.

WE ALL MATTER

The current crisis in our government has taken an emotional toll on most of us. We have been pushed into the role of the "warrior" and we are necessarily prepared for this. However, how we perceive this role can make a difference in how we respond. In his recent article, Robert Reich spoke to this, saying:

In all these ways, being a warrior for democracy enables us to remain hopeful and strong in these cynical times.

Being a warrior for justice — for the rule of law, for equal political rights, for human rights — enables us to find meaning and purpose in these dark times.

Being a warrior against brutality, bigotry, and cruelty enables us to lead honorable lives in these dishonorable times.

Being a warrior against tyranny enables us to be on the right side of history.

That is why our Indivisible Community is so important for us. Thank you for all you do!

Read the full, worthwhile article here.

RESOURCES TO AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGING

PARTNER TOOL KITS

PROTECT YOURSELF

As protests gear up, it's important to keep yourself and other protestors safe. This document has a bunch of resources to help you do just that! Share with your crew!

OPTICS ARE IMPORTANT

The American public judges who's right and wrong almost exclusively based on the images they see on the news and on social media. This makes managing protest optics absolutely critical for movement success. This document has many suggestions on how to put our best foot forward.

POLITICAL ACTION ROADMAP FOR MICHIGANDERS

Political action is a way to support your community and fight for a society that is feminist, anti-racist, and pro-democratic. Casting your vote is just one of the many tools at your disposal! Here are some additional ways you may already be engaging in political action. Th re used to help scaffold new people to the movement - share with your community members

CHECK OUT FIVE CALLS

Many local groups are having their members use this great tool to contact their legislators about the hot topics in front of them. This could not be easier. Sign up here.

CARD CAMPAIGN FOR DEMOCRACY makes it easy for even the shyest activist to get their voice heard. Here is a downloadable postcard protesting Donald Trump and "his rape of our democracy and country." Sign up for their emails here and pick up the 2025 Card campaigns.

USE THE POWER OF YOUR SPENDING!

Check out Goods Unite Us (link here; there is also an app) for verifying who the merchant may be supporting before you purchase!

WANT MORE? Check out more toolkits on our website here!

And we can't ever forget the need for self-care! Cara Erskine from Great Lakes Democracy Action Indivisible shared this amazing list of self-care tips and resources. Thank you, Cara!

SWIM WEBPAGE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Bookmark our Website: www.statewideindivisiblemi.com. The website is a repository of resources and network partners amassed since 2017.

Members: Send us your announcements, events, photos or writings to our email at info@statewideindivisiblemi.com! We need to share our successes - we're better together!

SOCIAL MEDIA

BlueSky: @mi-swim.bsky.social

Facebook: SWIM (StateWide Indivisible Michigan) Members

Instagram: statewideindivisiblemichigan

YouTube: newly available for groups to post to @SWIM-StateWideIndMI

For the time being, we maintain our Facebook & Instagram accounts, but foresee a time in the not-distant future when we will leave these platforms like we (and many others) did X.

Join us on BlueSky!

USING THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO AMPLIFY GOOD NEWS

Truth Bomb Toolkit – this is a very comprehensive toolkit with EVERYTHING you might want to know about Truth Bombs and how to do them.
Into Action Labs allows you to download hundreds of gifs and add your own message(s).
Indivisible's Trainings-to-Go - Slides, handouts, discussion questions, as well as notes/directions for the person leading the space. Start with a pilot batch of 3 Trainings-to-Go: Recruitment 101, Indivisible 101, and Tools for Building Inclusive Groups! These are located in the Support Hub along with a lot more! Questions or suggestions can be sent to training@indivisible.org.