November Newsletter

Jen S
3 days ago
9 min read

November 24

SWIM & STRANGERS NO LONGER: LOCAL TO LOCAL TRAINING

Join us on Monday November 24 from 6:00-7:15 pm for a community virtual training event, organized by Statewide Indivisible Michigan (SWIM) and Strangers No Longer. The focus will be on resisting local police collaboration with ICE through 287(g) agreements. Learn more about the Local to Local program here.

We will explore how such partnerships harm both immigrants and citizens by enabling racial profiling, eroding trust, silencing crime victims, and diverting resources from public safety. The training aims to educate and empower residents, faith leaders, and officials to advocate for safer, more welcoming communities for all. You can register here.

February 27-March 1, 2026

MOVEMENT BUILDER TRAINING WEEKEND sponsored by the Michigan Freedom Coalition (formerly the Resistance Coalition).

Statewide Indivisible Michigan and its member groups are an active part of this coalition, and we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to build power, strengthen connections, and lead with purpose.

This intensive, hands-on training weekend will equip participants with transferable organizing skills, real-world strategy, and statewide connections to strengthen our collective impact in 2026 and beyond. Expect authentic conversation, practical learning, and the kind of community that fuels staying power.

They are in the planning stages now, so the agenda may change, but you can access the current proposal h ere.

New Resource--Help to Improve Messaging

How often have we all wondered where the opposition is getting their information? How do we tailor our messaging if we do not know what database they are using? AllSides is a balanced news service that reviews articles from various sources and ranks them as right, left, or center. You can check them out at their website.

NATIONAL STRIKES AND BOYCOTTS

Mark your calendars and plan ahead!

We are fed up.

And we are taking action.

Join Indivisible National, Black Voters Matter and other grassroots activist groups by signing on to We Ain't Buying It which asks American consumers to pause shopping at three major retailers: Target (who rolled their DEI initiatives), Amazon (who has dangerous working conditions for employees and drivers) and Home Depot (who is allowing ICE agents to illegally detain laborers from their stores) between November 27 - December 1st.

Economic boycotting is an important tool in our resistance movement.

By joining together, we can redirect our economic power to small and black owned businesses this holiday season. Check it out using this link.

Click here for a handy toolkit for your use.

Watch this (excellent) explanatory video: MASS BLACKOUT and share it with your network. And check out TheMassBlackout.com for more information and aids to spread the word. And click on this link for graphics, courtesy of WTPD Detroit!

GeneralStrikeus.com

A generalized strike is a decentralized movement where workers across industries united to voice frustrations and demands, capturing the attention of leaders across the political spectrum--show the country and billionaires that the real power of the purse rests with the workers.

To learn more or participate, click on this link .

Finally, don't forget to 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.

BE READY IF TRUMP DECLARES MARTIAL LAW

While it is unlikely that Trump will declare Martial Law, it is not improbable. Taking steps now could ease the burden on you, your family and your friends should it happen.

Here are some practical tips you can consider now:

Documentation:

Keep important documents (IDs, passports, property deeds, medical records) in a secure, accessible location. Digital copies stored securely can be valuable.

Communication plan:

Establish how you'll contact family members if normal communications are disrupted. Designate meeting points if you're separated.

Supplies:

Maintain basic emergency supplies - water, non-perishable food, medications, first aid kit, flashlight, battery-powered radio. Standard disaster preparedness recommendations suggest 2 weeks of supplies.

Cash:

Keep some physical cash on hand in case banking systems are temporarily inaccessible.

Information:

Understand your rights and legal protections, even during emergencies. Know what authorities can and cannot legally do in your jurisdiction.

Low profile:

In any civil emergency, avoiding unnecessary attention and staying informed through reliable sources is generally wise.

Perspective matters:

The specific nature of preparations would depend heavily on why martial law might be declared - natural disaster, civil unrest, external threat, etc. Each scenario has different implications.

Most of these preparations overlap with general disaster readiness, which is useful regardless of whether martial law ever occurs. The specifics would vary greatly by location and legal framework.

The American People's Compact | People-First Policy Platform

Americans have watched as politics puts power and profit before people and progress. Yet in every corner of our nation, we are bound by a common dream: that everyone—no matter where they live or who they are—can build a good life, care for their loved ones, and shape their own future. The American People's Compact is a people-first policy platform that reflects the will of the people: to work together, bridge divides, and renew the foundation of opportunity and trust for every community.

The APC is a research-backed, nationally tested policy platform to rebuild and renew America, by the people, for the people, and with the people.

The American People's Compact | People-First Policy Platform

SWIM has signed onto this compact as a vision of what our tomorrow should be. We encourage all of our member groups to sign on as well—go to the home drop-down menu on the link above; it's a fast and easy way to commit to a clear vision of our shared goals and path ahead!

WE LOVE THESE FOOD RESOURCES SITES FROM OUR MEMBERS

From Macomb Defenders Rising comes this fantastic Food Resources guide for Southeastern Michigan communities. Here are some links for other food resources for Michiganders(H/T to WTPD Detroit):https://doubleupfoodbucks.org/https://flashfood.com/https://www.michigancsanetwork.org/find-a-csa

DON'T FORGET ABOUT SELF-CAREWhether it is with small breaks during your day of a formal guided practice, meditation can be a valuable resource to have in your self-care toolkit From Katie Page at Indivisible Metro Detroit, here are her favored meditation apps:

Mindfulness Coach, which offers a free two week introduction to mindfulness and has several pre-recorded practices.
Healthy Minds, which offers a series of skills to help build a strong meditation practice and introduce the novice to many concepts within meditation practice.

If you are interested in an option for virtual guided meditaion, a number in our group have used Open MIndful Meditaton. This group offers 5 sessions a week. There is no charge to participate in the drop in sessions, although donations are accepted.WINNING THE HEARTS & MINDS OF MICHIGANDERS

ONE DEM DUCK AT A TIME

All over Michigan, friendly rubber ducks are popping up that inform and inspire folks to join our movement. At Demduck.org, you can report if you found a duck, left a duck for someone to fine, find an Indivisible group near you, and find pro-democracy resources. If you found a duck or left a duck, post to social media using @demduck.org. Share the love.Like the 'Laughtivism' inspired by frogs and unicorns at the No Kings rallies, you can join in the fun and spread friendliness and goodness.Want to know more? Waddle over to demduck.org .Here are a few pictures of a few recent Dem Duck sightings:

ENVIRONMENTAL CORNER

Microplastics are polluting our waters, including the Great Lakes! Read more here, and then consider three ways you can take action:

1. Call your Michigan State Senator and ask them to support Senate Bills 503, 504

and 505 , which will prohibit microbeads in Michigan, analyze state waters for microbeads and establish a statewide microplastics research and monitoring plan.

2. Get involved in a local park, beach or stream cleanup to remove plastics and

other trash. You can find local opportunities by checking:

a. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which hosts

volunteer activities.

b. Your local land conservancy

c. Your local watershed group

d. Your local city or county parks and recreation

3. Reduce microplastics from your laundry: When you launder synthetic materials, microplastics could enter waterways. There are products on the market, such as Guppyfriend laundry bags and Cora balls, that can reduce the impact.

SWIM IS GROWING

We are now at 112 local Indivisible groups in the state, an increase of 84, or quadrupling from this time last year! We want to make sure everyone has the information they need!! If you are a group leader and have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out at info@statewideindivisiblemi.com. That’s what we’re here for!

LEADERS' LITTLE HELPER

New graphics are continuing to pop up both on Slack and our SWIM Google Drive. You can access these easy to adopt visuals – our local group teams are super productive and share everything! Not on Slack yet? Email info@statewideindivisiblemi.com with your name and group and we’ll send you an invitation.

RESOURCES TO AMPLIFY YOUR MESSAGING

PARTNER TOOL KITS

HERE IS A GREAT CALLING REFERENCE GUIDE and MUTUAL AID PRIMER courtesy of Indivisible Metro Detroit.

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! Updated safety protocols are posted on the SWIM Leader Slack site! Here is another l ink to a document for general emergency and disaster preparedness.

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. This resource can be 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!

COLLABORATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME!

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.