Hi folks,

Please join our Virtual Townhall this Wednesday at 6pm CT / 7pm ET (that's tomorrow!), as we share campaign updates, reveal the winners of our poster contest, and receive a presentation by Aimee Cree Dunn, Professor of Native American Studies, entitled, "Our Land, Our Home, Our Economy:  Reclaiming the U.P. from Corporate Agendas."

Regardless of whether or not you've registered, you can join the meeting via this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81203055352 

You will be able to watch the meeting livestreamed on Facebook.

Next, some important news:

• On June 20th, the Michigan House Appropriations Committee voted to approve the handout of taxpayer revenue to the proposed Copperwood Mine, by a vote of 21 to 5 (with two passes). Following a very compelling testimony in opposition to the grant, the vote proceeded with zero discussion from legislators (yay transparent governance!)
• Now the grant must pass through the Senate Appropriations Committee. We have been informed by a source from an organization that works closely with legislators that there is a much higher probability that the Senate will reject the grant than was the case in the House. This individual expressed that it is crucial for us to keep up the pressure! If you haven't already, please call and write to the senators demanding a rejection of the grant. The Senate is the last stop for the grant. The date of the Senate vote has not yet been revealed but could be as soon as this Wednesday @ 2pm ET. Please keep close tabs on our Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates.

All are invited to join us in Lansing on the day of the vote, either to give testimony or attend in solidarity (date pending!)

Before the Senate votes on the grant, they're going to have to meet us face-to-face. All citizens are permitted to give testimony at the Senate Appropriations Committee, including you (see this video for example). Just show up in advance, fill out a card indicating your name, desired speaking time (usually 1-3 minutes), organization or residence, the Bill upon which you're speaking and your position (supporting or opposed). It's that simple!  You do not need to be a Michigan resident to give testimony, and given that Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains have immense collective value, those from out-of-state are encouraged to participate!

Again, we don't yet have a confirmation on the voting day, so please check our social media regularly for updates. We will provide a document to organize carpooling, as well as materials to support your testimony. I'll be making a nine hour drive myself. It might just be me at the Capitol, and I'm fine with that. But even better would be to have some company!

Here's the address of the Senate Appropriations Meeting:

Harry T. Gast Appropriations Room
3rd Floor, Capitol Building
100 S. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933

All for now.

In solidarity,
Tom Grotewohl
www.ProtectThePorkies.com

P.S. While you are contacting legislators, consider contacting the House and telling them NO to data center expansion, which wastes tremendous quantities of energy, destroys green spaces, and advances the march of AI over community interests.