Thursday, June 14. Families Belong Together Rally

Tonight we meet at the Diag on the University of Michigan Central Campus (without blocking pedestrians or traffic). Bring signs and come with some powerful chants. Drummers welcome! The March for Stolen Children is planned as a peaceful event. 7–9 pm

This is just one more example why our efforts are needed NOW!

Separating immigrant family leads distraught father to take his own life

According to a copy of a sheriff’s department report obtained by The Washington Post , Marco Antonio Muñoz, 39, was found on the floor of his cell May 13 in a pool of blood with an item of clothing twisted around his neck. Starr County sheriff’s deputies recorded the incident as a “suicide in custody.”

Muñoz’s death occurred not long after the Trump administration began implementing its ­“zero-tolerance” crackdown on illegal migration, measures that include separating parents from their children and the threat of criminal prosecution for anyone who enters the United States unlawfully. Read more here.

We believe that there is a limit to what we can accomplish trying to get many of our elected officials to reflect our values of equality and acceptance. Consequently, we will be emphasizing events and actions that will lead to replacing those elected officials.

Become an ACLU voter

In light of the Supreme Court’s decision about Ohio and In the face of roadblocks to the polls, we must exercise our right to vote now more than ever. We must vote for leaders who will make voting easier – not harder. We must vote like our rights depend on it — BECAUSE THEY DO! Pledge now to be an ACLU Voter this election cycle.

Thursday, June 14. Supreme Court Candidate Sam Bagenstos phone banking

Attendees will be calling Democratic absentee voters in the Ann Arbor and Detroit community to get the word out about Sam’s campaign! WCDP Ypsi Office, 418 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti. 2–4 pm

Thursday, June 14, 21, 28. Support League of Woman Voters Poster Contest

Every Thursday evening in June, Alley Bar, a local "boisterous hangout lures locals with its craft cocktails and cold brews served in a hip atmosphere," will be donating 10% of the evening's receipts to LWVAAA in support of their poster contest. Come discover a new place, join in the fun, and support a good cause. Alley Bar, 112 W, Liberty St, Ann Arbor . 7 pm

Thursday, June 14. A discussion of ballot proposals to make voting more fair

Speakers will include Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission’s Elizabeth Hammer, on Voters Not Politicians; and Sue Smith, from the League of Women Voters, on Promote the Vote. Free and open to all. Light refreshments. For more information call (734) 426-8247. Voter registration will be available. St. James’ Episcopal Church, 3279 Broad St, Dexter. 6:30 pm

Actions for Voters Not Politicians effort to end gerrymandering

The Gerrymandering Lawsuit is also going forward. This federal court lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters and some others challenges the gerrymandered districts in Michigan. Read more here. A fundraiser is being planned and details will be published soon. Lead attorney Mark Brewer, who is working without pay, has asked for our help with funding for discovery costs, etc. See more at the website www.endmigerrymandering.com .

Sunday, June 24. Gun Violence & Firearm Safety: Can I Make a Difference?

Jim Peggs, MD and Sonya Lewis, MD, MPH, will be speaking as representatives of the Michigan based physicians' organization, Physicians for the Prevention of Gun Violence (PPGV).

Drs. Lewis and Peggs will share some startling data comparing gun violence in America to other highly developed nations and discuss basic steps that health professionals and all members of our community can take to decrease the prevalence of death and injury from gun violence.

Special emphasis will be placed on vulnerable populations such as children, people managing mental health concerns, and people who are victims of intimate partner violence. The discussion will also extend to ways in which we can promote a safer world in the presence of guns.

At Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor . Free. 3 pm

The PEG event calendar is provided as a community service to its readers, and is based on information provided by the event sponsors. Inclusion of material does not imply endorsement by PEG.

Friday, June 15. Racial Profiling and What You Can Do About It

Invisible Dexter invites you to hear from individuals who have been impacted by racial profiling. The presentation will also shed light on programs that have been developed by our local law enforcement to address this concern, as well as action steps you might take. Presented by Sheriff Clayton. Null Taphouse, 2319 Bishop Cir E, Dexter . 7 pm

Friday, June 15. Election reform, voting rights, and money in politics

State Rep. Adam Zemke and Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson will be joined by a panel of experts for a discussion of these important issues. Click here for more information and to RSVP. Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 E. Huron River Dr., Ann Arbor . 6:30–8 pm

Friday, June 15. Indivisible Dexter monthly meeting

Null Taphouse and Bottle Shop, 2319 Bishop Circle East, Dexter. 7 pm

Saturday, June 16. 2018. Michigan Progressive Summit :The Persistence of the Resistance: Voices, Values, and Votes

Plenary speakers include Brandon Dasent, a Parkland school shooting survivor and student activist; Desmond Meade, head of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition; and Erica Ford, a leader in the fight against gun violence and founder of LIFE Camp in New York City.

  “We chose the theme because we know people are entering this space at different levels of experience,” McCampbell continued. “Whether you’ve been active for two years or 20 years, the Michigan Summit is the place for you. We want to make sure we are uplifting marginalized voices, connecting our shared values, and creating action at the ballot box and beyond.”

  Registration is now open and more information can be found at www.themichigansummit.org. The registration fee is $25 and includes lunch.  Click here to register. University of Michigan-Flint Riverfront Banquet Center, 1 Riverfront Plaza, Flint. 8:30 am–5:05 pm

Monday, June 18. Rally in support of the Poor People's Campaign

On May 14, there was an uplifting and powerful show in Lansing, joining protesters in 29 other states that had simultaneous rallies and civil disobedience actions. The focus is creating a compassionate and just society that centers poor people. The campaign is nonpartisan and is seeking to, among other things, push for a living wage and health care for all, LGBTQA rights, voting rights, fair housing, and immigration rights.

  The next rally is Monday, June 18, with the theme, A New and Unsettling Force: A Fusion Movement Rising Up. Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave, Lansing .

Attend a MI-Resistance calling party

Wednesday, June 20. 7th Congressional District Candidates Forum

Western Washtenaw Democrats' June General Membership meeting will feature Gretchen Driskell and Steve Friday. IBEW Local 252 Hall, 7920 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor . 7:30 pm

Thursday, June 21. American National Election Studies speaker

Darrell W. Donakowski, Director of Studies, American National Election Studies, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor will be the guest speaker at the League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights annual meeting. The meeting will include dinner and reservations are required. For more information, click here . Park Place, 23400 Park St, Dearborn . Doors open at 5:30 pm

Saturday, June 23. State House 54th District Candidate Forum

General membership meeting of the Eastern Washtenaw Democratic Club. WCDP office, 418 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti. 6:30 pm

Attend a MI-Resistance calling party

Monday, June 25. Election Reform and Voting Rights Town Hall

State Rep. Adam Zemke and Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson will be joined by a panel of experts for a discussion on election reform, voting rights, and money in politics. Click HERE for more information and to RSVP. Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building, 4800 Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor. 6:30–8 pm

This newsletter contains many suggestions to contact your congresspeople. To acquire their contact information, click here .

Protect our students from revisionist history

The Michigan Department of Education released changes to the Michigan K–12 Social Studies Curriculum Standards recently. Click here for the document. Some of the changes proposed include:

Read about the proposed changes by clicking here and here .

Share your thoughts with the Michigan Department of Education:

Work to ensure that our elected officials take a stand in protecting minorities, civil rights, and the truth of our shared history. Send your comments to your State Senator and Representative about this issue. Vote in the next election for officials who will not distort our historical truths or values by dictating curriculum standards. Contact your Member of Congress . Check it out here.

Check your voter’s registration NOW--we are not kidding!

The Supreme Court on Monday upheld Ohio’s aggressive efforts to purge its voting rolls, siding with Republicans in the latest partisan battle over how far states can go in imposing restrictions on voting. The court ruled that states may kick people off the rolls if they skip a few elections and fail to respond to a notice from election officials. The vote was 5 to 4, with the more conservative justices in the majority. It is anticipated that more states will follow Ohio’s lead. Read more.

Check your voting status with your local clerk of court

The Bureau of Elections and local clerks regularly scrub the voter lists and during Johnson’s time in office, the Bureau of Elections has removed 1.2 million “ineligible voters.” Rock the Vote describes Michigan as a blocker state, meaning that the majority of its policies restrict your right to vote!

DeVos: "Bans on public money to religious schools should go to 'ash heap of history.'"

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos railed against state constitutional prohibitions on public funds going to faith-based institutions in a speech on May 16, 2018, to the Alfred E. Smith Foundation in New York City. Her trip included visits to Catholic and Jewish religious schools but did not include any visits to public schools.

  The target of DeVos' wrath: so-called "Blaine amendments” to state constitutions that prohibit public funds from being used for religious purposes. DeVos said these amendments, many of which originated in the late 1800s, began as "bigoted" against Catholics. Michigan has these amendments which protect the separation between church and state and attempts to repeal them have been unsuccessful, most recently in 1970. Read more here or here. Read the full speech here. - The New York Times, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, US Department of Education

Senators strike deal to include ZTE penalties in must-pass defense bill

Senators announced Monday that legislation keeps penalties against Chinese telecommunications giant ZTE in place will be included in a must-pass defense policy bill.

“By including this provision to undo the ZTE deal in the defense bill, the Senate is saying loudly and in a bipartisan fashion that the president is dead wrong to back off on ZTE," said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), a supporter of the amendment. Read more here.

"More Than a Gag Rule"

In an interview with The Atlantic, Kami Geoffray, CEO of the Women’s Health and Family Planning Association of Texas, explains how Trump’s change to a federal birth-control program will affect women. Read the full story here. - The Atlantic

   Where to donate to help assist women in need, in case Trump's proposal gets approved? Take a look at some providers that are totally worthy of your coins. Read the full story here. - Elite Daily

Receive absentee ballot applications automatically

Registered Ann Arbor voters who qualify and regularly vote by absentee ballot , including residents over age 60, can sign up to automatically receive absentee ballot applications by mail for each election. Applications will be sent to those on this permanent list six to eight weeks prior to each election.

In order to receive a ballot, voters on the permanent list must still complete and sign the application each election. Call (734) 794-6140 or email the Ann Arbor City Clerk's Office at [email protected] for more info or to sign up.

Even more valuable voter resources

Know when elections are happening, and have the information you need to vote with confidence. Sign up to receive election reminders, get registered to vote, and apply for your absentee ballot!

Ensure you’ll have a ballot for 2018 primaries and midterms

Spend 60 seconds to verify your right to vote.

1) Check that you haven’t been removed from your state’s voter rolls ( check here ).

2) Ensure that you meet your state’s voter ID requirements ( check here ). If you need help with getting ID or transport, go here or here .

3) Put your state’s primary dates in your calendar ( check here ).

4) Make sure your polling place hasn’t been moved ( check here ).

5) Important: Share these steps on social media so your friends can also vote.

Guide to Voter Registration in Michigan for college students

Click here for this great site.

 

Find out if a person is registered to vote

This organization has lots of other good info such as next election dates, polling places, etc. - National Association of Secretaries of State

Congressional Districts by zip code

Click here .

Thursday, June 14. Coffee with Michelle Deatrick

Morgan and York, 1928 Packard Rd, Ann Arbor . 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 16. U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ community conversation

Senator Peters will provide a brief legislative update followed by questions from the audience. Register to attend here . Eastern Michigan University Student Center Auditorium, 900 Oakwood, Ypsilanti. 10 am

Saturday, June 16. Coffee hour with State Senate candidate Michelle Deatrick

Owl, Morning 'til Night, 9 W. Main St, Milan . 9–10 am

Additional info about meet-ups with representatives and candidates can be found on the PEG website under events by clicking on the following link: http://equalityingov.org/events .

Looking for more information?

Check out the equalityingov.org webpage. Find out everything you want to know about who we are; the issues and organizations we endorse; an events calendar; and past issues of our newsletter and Facebook postings. It’s all there on the Web!

To subscribe to this free newsletter go to our website by clicking here .

Thanks to Newsletter contributors: Bernie Banet, Carolyn Christopher, Ellen Halter, Leslie McGraw, Richard Gaeth, Laurie Williams, Ginny Morgan, Susan Ayer, Jen Hoffman and Chuck Newman for their help preparing this newsletter. Write us at i [email protected] if you would like to learn how you can help create our weekly newsletter. It’s fun and no ongoing commitment is required.