May Newsletter

Jen S
41 minutes ago
7 min read

SPREADING THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC CREED

State Wide Indivisible Michigan was one of Michigan's earliest adopters of the Democratic Creed — and for good reason. The values at its core (Equality, Democracy, Freedom, Justice, Opportunity, and our Duty as Government) don't just define what we believe; they drive the battles we choose to fight and win.

As we head into this key Election Year, we want voters to understand what we as grassroots activists stand for and how it shapes every decision we make and every right we defend.

This first Campaign Toolkit release shows candidates, strategists, Indivisible members, and volunteers how to connect Democratic values to voters' real concerns — in speeches, on social media, or in front-porch conversations. Because values-forward language makes clear not just what we do, but why — and that delivers results that improve lives.

You can access the toolkit HERE.

This toolkit is yours to keep, use, and share. Throughout the Election Year, its authors will continue adding graphics, language, and campaign-ready assets. Together, we'll keep the Democratic Creed visible and alive across Michigan.

WAVE IS BACK!

If you have used WAVE (We All Vote Everytime) in the past, this is exciting news for you. They have initiated a "Bring Them Back Campaign". In Michigan, 640,000 people voted in 2020 but did not vote in 2024. In 2024, the average Michigan voter was roughly 66% likely to participate. However, Voters on the Permanent Absentee Voter list turned out 97% of the time. So let's get them signed up!

You can read more about WAVE's "Bring Them Back" program here. You can review the various ways you can access the WAVE program here.

As you know Michigan has been designated by Indivisible National as one of five battleground states for the mid-term elections. This means we have access to additional resources and supports to help us win this one!

We are excited to invite you to the first Indivisible Battlegrounds strategy briefing of the 2026 election cycle! This call is open to Indivisibles in Michigan as well as Alaska, Iowa, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas who are ready to secure critical victories this November.

Hear from Co-Executive Director, Ezra Levin, and the rest of the Battlegrounds Team about the expanded organizing support and strategic investment our state will receive this cycle. During the briefing, they will share more about plans to:

Flip key House and Senate races in November
Protect and enforce the results of the 2026 midterms
Invest in long-term organizing infrastructure

We can win big this November, but we can’t do it without your help. Register here to join the strategy briefing next Wednesday, May 20th at 8PM ET.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR MEDIA COVERAGE WITH TOOLS FROM EASTSIDE ALLIANCE INDIVISIBLE

Dawn Drodz of Eastside Alliance Indivisible has built a great press outreach template for getting the most out of your media coverage at events. With her encouragement and through months of persistent work, the metro Detroit groups who worked with her saw improved press and more accurate reporting on their events. Dawn is generously offering to work with other regions in the state to help groups set up or improve their own media coverage. She reviewed her successes at April’s Leader meeting - here are the two documents she developed to help groups get a solid start.

Michigan Press Collaboration Proposal

Michigan Press Coordinator Job Description

Questions? Contact Dawn Drodz at drozddawn@gmail.com or 586-531-1191

SENATOR PETERS STAFF PROVIDED INFORMATION ON DEALING WITH ICE

ICE activity continues to be of major concern in many of our communities. This was a major part of our discussion with Senator Peter's staff. They sent this follow up which has valuable information to help you plan your Actions.

During the discussion with Sen. Peters' staff about ICE enforcement, they directed us to this resource for communities concerned about ICE abductions. They noted it can be very useful for those concerned to contact the senate office and get pre-authorization forms on file to allow the senate office to advocate on their behalf if they are detained. It is much more difficult after the fact since no one is able to file the authorization on behalf of the detainee. Also, any pre-authorization is good for 90 days.

Steps to do this follow:

1. Go to www.senate.peters.gov

2. Select “services” from top menu

3. Select “help with a federal agency”

4. Two options to do USCIS form:

a. You can fill out an electronic version online but it will not provide with

you a copy.

(Members of the immigrant community have also expressed concern

about ICE scraping data from sites and using it to find people, so this

would be another good reason to use the option below.)

b. (Recommended ) “DOWNLOAD USCIS FORM” to get a pdf

version to fill

out, then scan it and send it back to yourself so you have a

copy for additional security as noted above. A completed

copy can then be returned to their office via email, fax, or

mail; directions on the form.

If you need help with any of this or have any personal stories or points of interest that the Senator can you, see this updated list of the regional directors to contact.

Are you wondering "Where is ICE now? Check out this helpful map to see the most recent activity.

HOW TO REPORT ICE ACTIVITY

This chart will help you locate your local reporting site.

NEW ICE RAPID ACTION GROUP

A new team is forming in Macomb County to counter ICE activity. If you are in the area, please reach out to M.E.L.T. to see how you can assist. You can access their materials here.

ADDITIONAL UPDATES

Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools: There are multiple events planned. You can check them out here
Coming in June: Stay tuned for more info soon on the counter-protest events in the works on June 14 against 47's 80th b-day and his turning the White House into a UFC fight event!
Silence the Violence: June is the month to promote ending gun violence. Watch for events near you. If you are planning an event let us know and we will help promote it.
Are you one of us who truly appreciates our National Park system? Check out this site to see what you can do to fight further dismantling.

RESOURCES FOR YOUR GROUPS

Don't forget the money on the table to boost your events. Check out the Solidarity in Action Grants here.
Sign the Election Protection Pledge to receive updates and resources.
Neighbor2Neighbor provides a unique method of outreach to voters in your neighborhood. Check it out here.

RESOURCES TO AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGING AND OUTREACH

PARTNER TOOL KITS

COMMON CAUSE

MUTUAL AID RESOURCES

FOOD BANK INFORMATION - Here is an updated link for food bank information created by Macomb Defenders Rising.

CALLING REFERENCE GUIDE and MUTUAL AID PRIMER courtesy of Indivisible Metro Detroit.

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.

Here's another link for a Michigan-centered calling reference cou

COMMON CAUSE

Common Cause has a really easy tool that lets you enter your home address and receive a roster with contact information for all the elected officials who represent you — from city council members to U.S. senators. And, when you’re ready to make a call, the League of Conservation Voters offers a comprehensive guide on best practices.

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!

RURAL ORGANIZING

Our Partners at Rural Organizing have compiled a comprehensive list of their resources. This includes everything from past debriefs to how-to steps for organizing mutual aid events. You can access it here:

Rural Organizing, Rural Host Network Resource Document

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. This resource can be used to help scaffold new people to the movement - share with your community members.

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.

WHERE YOU GET YOUR NEWS MATTERS

Sources for news matter. Check these out.

COLLABORATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME!

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.