Dear members of the American Resistance,
A FATTY bulletin today.
Let’s start with the one unspoiled good news last week gifted us: the defeat of Viktor Orbán. After having confiscated the Hungarian democracy for 16 years, this man got what he deserved: the rejection and despise of a whole nation. I visited Hungary in 2004: My experience there was vibrant. I remember running into the Budapest Pride, which was already such an important political statement at the time, before it became even vital in the most recent years. I talked to strangers with an ease only permitted by their warmth and kindness. Watching the country go deeper and deeper into illiberalism and white Christianism, betraying the European alliance was just SO PAINFUL all these years. If you listen to Heather Cox Richardson, you may have enjoyed her Politics Chat from Tuesday where she unpacks why it is SO important for us in the US that Hungary shook off the yoke of illiberalism, proving that there is no fatalism and no prediction in the swelling of the Far Right: It bursts like a balloon when the People unites in a one sharp tip.
Besides the Hungarian elections, much has happened.
-The outcry from the Christian right after T. portrayed himself as Jesus is really fun to watch.
-First of its kind, an ICE agent is CHARGED in Minnesota. Bye bye “absolute immunity”. We give it one Yummy🍒!
-Tax Day was a cruel reminder this year that we individually and collectively fuel wars against our will.
-Maine is first in banning data centers. It is a 3 Yummies 🍒 🍒 🍒 and an example for us in Michigan.
-The national day of rally against AI data centers that we participated in with 🧡Public Research Initiative🧡 last Saturday was fantastic. Speeches at the Detroit location are available here. Thank you SO much to 🧡David🧡 for broadcasting the rally.
-Our No Kings 3 was fabulous. Per 🧡Melanie🧡’s request, I am sharing again the 6 hours footage from Fox2Detroit!
-At yesterday’s meeting, it was so good to see so many of us and a few new friends join us! Good news from 🧡Margaret🧡 whose friends in Hendersonville, NC (15,000 residents) reported 5,000 people rallied for NK3!! That’s a third of the town population!
-Here, in Michigan, Oakland County commissioners have been very very very bad. They rejected public comments before voting on Flock drones. What do we do when democracy is denied? 📣What do we do?!📣 We recall the traitors. DebateHer has initiated and is coordinating the effort. Please visit this form if you want to sign to recall David Woodward.
And much is about to happen…!!!
1
THIS SUNDAY is the Michigan Democratic convention. We will be voting for
-Secretary of State
-Attorney General
-UM regent and Wayne State University Governors
IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SAYING, HUH?!
You have no idea what to expect? 🧡Angela🧡 got your back! You can read her explainer here.Then come support the progressive candidates who work for the people, not for corporations! And remember… YOU MUST ARRIVE BEFORE 2 PM IF YOU WANT TO VOTE! Please check this post by The People’s Coalition for the exact timing of the event.
Although We the People Dissent hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the convention, please note that our heart goes to candidates who really care about the needs and well-being of the people and the planet (with all its inhabitants, human or non-human), promote peace, sustainability, and healthcare for all, while recognizing the brutal reality of class struggle and the ongoing racial injustice that Native Americans, African Americans, and non-white people in general still suffer from today.
If you would like a list of progressive candidates that have been endorsed by the trusted People’s Coalition, please see their post here.
A question about the convention? Ask Rima in the What’s App chat!
2
Dring!! Dring!! The Money Out of Politics petition is running out of time! We have until May 13th to collect SIIIIGNATUUUURES. Please see below information from Voters Not Politicians to actively participate in the last push:
1) Sign up right here to circulate the petition
2) Reach out to our State Field Organizer, Nicholas Field (nicholas@votersnotpoliticians.com), to get plugged into a local team or to find local supplies to get started (you might also find supplies by contacting a volunteer in one of these cities)
3) Read up on the petition, and how to get signatures
4) Sign up for one of these circulating opportunities, or talk to your local volunteer leader about other opportunities, or feel free to strike out on your own >>>> Sunday morning at the MI Dem Convention seems like a pretty good idea!
3
ICE continues to give us a very hard time in Michigan. We heard multiple reports from activists that a “Minnesota-style” crackdown is scheduled for April 19th, this coming Sunday, in SE Michigan, especially in Washtenaw County. That might be an hoax, but we shall be cautious. Please encourage immigrant friends to stay home. And for those of us who will be out there documenting ICE lawlessness, it can be very helpful to watch this comprehensive ACLU video about our 1st Amendment right to record them. This is good stuff. Another good way to fight ICE is by signing the petition against Romulus proposed detention center. Please note that every Saturday the coalition to shut the camp protests at 7525 Cogswell (see events below).
The enemies of democracy continue to give us a very hard time too >>Michigan GOP passes a mini SAVE act.
Please stay tuned for MORE ACTIONS TO ENGAGE VOTERS next month. In the meantime, please check out Vote Riders per 🧡Joyce🧡’s recommendation to see if you can give a hand, and please continue to call Peters and Slotkin (slotkin 202-224-4822, peters 202-224-6221) to say NO, NO, and NO to the SAVE Act in DC.
Events
April 18th 4-7 PM: Earth Day at Royal Oak Farmers Market!! One of my favorite event. This year the vendor fair will go from4:00PM – 7:00 PM with the Rally @ 4:45 PM and the March @ 5:30 PM. Info here. 🐸
April 18th 1-4 pm : The People’s Potluck at Central Church. Come find comfort in community through mutual aid, art, and education.
4/19 All day, but arrive by 2 PM to be able to vote. Michigan Democratic convention. Come support the progressive candidates who work for the people, not for corporations. Please check this post by The People’s Coalition for the exact timing of the event. We will be voting for Secretary of State, Attorney General, UM regent and Wayne State University Governors, etc. Questions? Ask Rima in the What’s App chat!
April 25th 12-2 PM: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION > STOP ICE DETENTION WAREHOUSES organized by Indivisible. MARCH to the Romulus detention center. Meet at CM Powertrain Plant, Southwest Parking Lot Exactly here and register. Then stay to protest from 3 to 6 PM with the coalition to stop the camp (register). Communities Not Cages! 🐸
4/25 – 1 PM ICE watch training with CAFE in Pontiac.
4/25 Ann Arbor > Michigan Statewide Environmental Justice AI Data Center Summit. Find more information here. 🐸
April 25th 9-5 PM in Grand Rapids: MOBILE PEACE TRAINING in person. Registration link here.
April 26th at 1 PM: Our corner protest at Grand Circus. THEME: BEYOND NO KINGS. Register here. 🐸
April 29th at 7 PM: Our regular bi-monthly online meeting. Register here. 🐸
April 30th 6:00-8:30 pm Strangers No Longer Action Potluck and Fundraiser at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 1950 Trumbull Ave. in Detroit. The event supports their work assisting families impacted by immigration detention. The event is free but please bring a dish, a friend, and contribute what you can! Use the Spring Into Action link to register for the event.🐸
May 1st – 4 PM Rally MAYDAY at Roosevelt Park led by AFL-CIO. March starts at 6 PM. We, the working class, unite against the profiteers. WtPD is supporting the logistics of this event. Please do let us know if you are interesting in joining the planning group.
LAST PIECE OF INFORMATION: Next week, I am getting married and my family is traveling from France for the occasion, so there won’t be any bulletin next Thursday. I’ll be too busy being happy J. Fortunately, the wonderful WtPD media team, 🧡Erin🧡, 🧡Victoria🧡, and 🧡Kelly🧡 will be there to post important info on our socials!
As always, please share this Bulletin with two new more people, join the Signal Chat here, and follow your 🧡very own group 🧡, 🧡We the People Dissent🧡 on Instagram, Facebook, and Bluesky.
In loving solidarity,
Audrey
