Next Meeting!

When:

Wednesday, June 4, 6:30-8:00pm

Where:

Tower Civic Center
402 Pine St
Tower, MN

Topic: What’s Next for Northern Progressives?

A Brainstorming Session for Future Programs and Actions

Periodically over the nine years we’ve been in existence, we’ve taken time to discuss the most important topics about which we should be educating ourselves and what actions we should take to express our priorities.

It’s time now to assess where we are and look at what programs we’d like to sponsor and what actions we want to take to express our mission and goals.

NP’s mission statement says: "Northern Progressives supports a social and political agenda through active participation in civic affairs. Our goals are to inform elected officials about issues of concern to us and to increase public awareness and education to help people become politically and civically involved."

Through recent demonstrations and other activities, we’ve gained quite a few new members. This is a good time for us to get to know each other better and to make sure we’re hearing from those new voices as well from our long-time activists.

Light refreshments will be served.

Signing/Resisting Events

Each Friday at noon at the following locations:

Cook

Hwy 53 and River Street

Ely

Whiteside Park (note location change)

Tower

Mainstreet by the locomotive

It is easier for passers-by to read signs with fewer words and large, bold letters made with paint or thick markers. Choose an issue you are passionate about! Common concerns for people are health care, jobs, education, food costs, and the economy.

No Kings Community Gathering

sponsored by We Are Rising & Resisting (W.A.R.R.) Indivisible

When:

June 14, 3:00-5:00pm

Where:

Iron Man
897 Iron World Drive
Chisholm

They’ve gone too far!

This is bigger than political disagreement. They’ve defied our courts, deported American citizens, disappeared people off the streets, and slashed our services—all while orchestrating a massive giveaway to their billionaire friends . Enough is enough!

For anyone who thinks he’s gone too far, please join us for a peaceful rally in support of democracy.

Speakers, food, and games. We will also be accepting donations for local veterans programs.

A core principle behind all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.

Virginia — NO Kings Day

When:

June 14, 6:00-8:00pm

Where:

Olcott Park Fountain
901 9th St N
Virginia, MN

We're not subjects. We're the people.

Ely — NO Kings Day

When:

June 14, 11:00am-1:00pm

Where:

Whiteside Park

Grand Rapids — NO Kings Day

When:

June 14, 10:30am-12:00pm

Where:

Old Central School
10 NW 5th St
Grand Rapids, MN

Easy A: Meaningful Actions You Can Take in 5 Minutes or Less

from Red Wine & Blue

When:

Ongoing

Where:

Online

Easy A is your go-to source for quick and easy actions you can take in five minutes or less about the issues you care about.

Power Rising Summer

Sponsored by Arena

When:

Starts June 10

Where:

Online

Whether you’re a seasoned organizer, newly politicized, or somewhere in between, Power Rising Summer is your invitation to turn frustration into action. Throughout the summer, we’re hosting a series of virtual events to help you plug in, build power, and find your place in the fight, no matter where you’re starting from.

The Democracy Index

from the Contrarian

This week’s Democracy Index shows how Musk’s ignominious departure, though not a panacea, represents a signal failure for him, and therefore for Donald Trump. And how the emotional and incompetent government he has instituted continues to wreak havoc.

Otto von Bismarck, the political genius who unified and ruled Germany for decades in the late 19th century, said: “The weak are strong because they are reckless. The strong are weak because they have scruples.” In many ways, that is the dilemma now facing the United States, as you will see below — with Trump, Musk, and their allies as the reckless weaklings. You can explore how we evaluate the strength of our democracy this week across six vectors in our interactive graphic

... Musk’s exit and DOGE’s wind-down provide a model for how these dangers can be combated, and how their harm can be mitigated, if not rolled back. It may feel temporary and fractional, but it surely doesn’t feel that way to Musk. Sometimes shows of strength can’t overcome fundamental weakness, especially when challenged by the truly powerful — the American people.

Washington Briefing: The DNC Is Figuring It Out

from Matt Kerbel of the Newsletter "Wolves and Sheep"

... on several important fronts, it appears national Democrats are taking strides toward the key objectives set out by Martin in his campaign for DNC chair. They have started implementing the 57 state strategy; they are starting to build an infrastructure to contest every race (or as many races as resources will allow); they are organizing to win years in the future; and they are organizing on a year-round basis.

Each Thursday: Calls with Indivisible’s co-founders

Several of us attend the weekly “What’s the plan?” Zoom calls with Indivisible’s co-founders Leah and Ezra each Thursday afternoon at 2 pm Central Time.

The calls are great for keeping you connected with current resistance efforts and strategy nationwide.

The calls are often inspiring and the sheer numbers of folks participating from all over the country feels amazing.

Please Share your Sources of Information and Inspiration:

What news sources, reading lists, podcasts, subscriptions and other resources do you rely on for good information? Please respond to hello@northernprogressives.org with which sources you recommend and a brief (!!) reason why they're important to you.

A few thoughts from Ellie Krug

Thought No. 1

A man who owned a remote camping resort in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California closed up the resort last fall, but because he thought there might be the possibility of someone being lost and needing shelter, he purposely left one of the cabins open. Well, that compassion worked: Tiffany Stanton, age 28, was lost in the mountains for three weeks and partially survived because of the resort owner’s forethought. See the story here. Everyone: compassion is all about thinking of strangers who you have no idea about how they will show up. (!!)

Thought No. 3

Okay, I’m sure some of you have seen this “Golden Marshmallow” FB video, but for those who haven’t, enjoy it via the link below. It's the absolutely epitome of my boy, Jack!

Northern Progressives supports a social and political agenda through active participation in civic affairs. Our goals are to inform elected officials about issues of concern to us and to increase public awareness and education to help people become politically and civically involved.

We are a chapter of Indivisible in northern Minnesota's Congressional District Minnesota-08.

NP Group meetings:

1st Wednesday in Tower
3rd Wednesday in Cook

Breakfast Club:

Pattenn’s Café in Orr at 10 am on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.

Northern Progressives Communication Committee

General email (submit ideas here):

hello@northernprogressives.org

Betty Firth

bfirth88@gmail.com

Beth Peterson

edithepeterson@gmail.com

Judith Ulseth

jgtulseth@gmail.com