March Forward | 5.5
A weekly compilation of actions from Boots on the Ground Midwest, a Kansas Indivisible group. We motivate and mobilize people to defend democracy. Action is power.
In this issue:
Update: Kansan Rosemary Alvarado sent to Guatamala.
Boots on the Ground updates. ICE panel. No Kings Day. Monthly meetup.
Highlights this week. Pop up rush hour protest.
Wednesday Workshops. Facism. Upcoming: Protesting 101. How to help our veteran community.
Local demonstrations. Upcoming protests and rallies.
Make those calls. Save Medicaid. (And work requirements are bogus.)
VOICES: Daniel Scharpenburg is a federal employee and union leader. He has a lot to say about what it’s like to be both right now.
Non-Profit Spotlight: CASA needs volunteers.
Signs we love. These are good. We wish they weren’t needed.
Boots on the Ground updates
Update on Rosemary Alvarado
Kansan Rosemary Alvarado, who was detained two weeks ago when she appeared for a scheduled appointment at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Kansas City, has been sent to Guatemala. Alvarado was following the legal path to secure a green card when ICE removed her from the KC office — without an opportunity to talk with her family or secure legal representation.
Alvarado, who was brought to the U.S. as a minor from Guatemala, was initially sent to the Chase County detention center, then an ICE facility in Louisiana. The family plans to continue pursuing her green card status. Her daughter is posting updates on Tik Tok. Her handle is: carinamoran
ACTION ITEM: PLEASE call Kansas Senators Roger Marshall | Jerry Moran and U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt to demand Alvarado receive the due process she deserves. Alvarado has not had the opportunity to see her family since she was detained.
Save the Date(s)
We have several important events coming up so mark your calendars!
Boots on the Ground Volunteer Fair in KCMO
Saturday, May 31, 1 to 4 p.m., Second Presbyterian Church in Brookside
Join us for our second volunteer fair, this one in KCMO. Connect with area nonprofits and learn how you can help. These organizations are working on the front lines with our most vulnerable populations and they need our help NOW!
Workshops include:
Helping immigrants during an ICE raid.
How to talk with your MAGA relatives.
Building resilience for activist
And more!
Sign up here.
Know a nonprofit that may want to table? Sign up here.
Panel Discussion on Leavenworth ICE Facility
Friday, May 30, 7 p.m.
Join us for a panel discussion on private prison company CoreCivic’s plan to open an ICE facility in Leavenworth’s former detention facility. The panel will include former employees of CoreCivic, who oppose the facility, in part because the company has a horrendous safety track record, with routine reports of employees and inmates being harmed.
The City of Leavenworth is suing private prison company CoreCivic to prevent the opening.
RSVP for location and updates. (We have one broad RSVP form with most of today’s items on it.)
Boots on the Ground Monthly Meet Up
Monday, June 2, 6 - 8 p.m. , Meadowbrook Park, PVKS
We’re starting monthly meet ups that will include informational updates and action items. Join us to:
Learn more about protest and educational opportunities
Write postcards to elected officials. (We’ll have supplies. Bring your outrage.)
Build community
RSVP. (We have one broad RSVP form with most of the save-the-date items on it.)
No Kings Day in Topeka
Saturday, June 14, Noon, State Capitol
WE NEED TO SHOW UP FOR NO KINGS’ DAY! Protests will be happening around the country to oppose Trump’s authoritarian regime. They’re timed for June 14 to overlap with a military parade in D.C. in honor of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, which coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday.
Boots on the Ground is collaborating with other activist groups to have a HUGE turnout in Topeka. (This is being organized by 50501.) We LOVE heading to KCMO for protests, but for this one, if you’re a Kansan, we’re hoping you can join us in Topeka. The most important thing is to show up, though, so you can always join the Plaza protest. (Noon at the fountains. It will be huge.)
Why Topeka? We need four elected officials in Kansas to see a MASSIVE turnout. They’re dismissing our efforts. Let’s make them think twice about that!!
We’re working on a plan for carpools and a caravan. (Promise it’s more than a “concept of a plan.”)
RSVP here. (We have one broad RSVP form with most of the save-the-date items on it.)
Wednesday Workshops: Virtual
Sign up for one of our virtual workshops, aimed at making us better activists, allies and advocates. Let us know if you have an idea for a future webinar.
🗓️ Wednesday, May 14 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. CDT | Virtual | RSVP required
The Fascist Social Contract. In this webinar, historian and professor Drew Bergerson will explore the choices made by ordinary people both during Nazi Germany and in its memory. He’ll identify the unique qualities of fascist self-deceptions, examining what makes them different from the ordinary kinds of lies we all tell. He’ll also explore why they are so difficult to call into question.
Upcoming, yet-to-be-scheduled topics: How to Support our Veterans, Staying Safe in a Protest.
Have an idea for a Wednesday Workshop? Send to martha@bootsonthegroundmidwest.org or nancy@bootsonthegroundmidwest.org.
Local Protests, Rallies and Demonstrations
REMINDER: The Boots on the Ground calendar offers a curated list of action items in Kansas and the KCMO metro. Here’s how to access: 1) Visit our website. 2) Click here to embed the BOtG calendar into yours.
Highlights THIS week include:
Pop Up Protest
Protestors are picking a new spot to reach new passers-by. Bring your signs! All issues represented.
Wednesday: Pop Up Rush Hour Protest | 4 to 6 p.m. | 95th and Metcalf | OPKS
Weekly Events
Monday: Defend Democracy Protest | Noon - 1:30 pm | East Douglas and North Broadway | Wichita
Wednesday: Protest Josh Hawley | 4:30 - 6 pm | 400 E. 9th Street | KCMO
Friday: Protest Jerry Moran | 2 - 4 pm | 23600 College Blvd Ste 201 | Olathe
Saturday: Tesla Takedown | Noon to 2 p.m. 10111 State Line Rd | KCMO | *Note: Peaceful protest. Do not go on Tesla property.
Saturday: Freedom from Oligarchy Sidewalk Rally | 11 to 1 p.m. | W. 87th Street Parkway & Maurer Road | Lenexa
Saturday: Stand 4 Democracy Protest | 3 - 3:30 | 5730 Roeland Drive | Roeland Park
Saturday: Defend Democracy Protest | Noon - 1:30 pm | East Douglas and North Broadway | Wichita
Sunday: Defend Democracy Protest | Noon | 9th and Massachusetts | Lawrence
Make Those Calls: Save Medicaid.
THIS IS IMPORTANT.
The GOP budget package proposal includes $830 billion in cuts that are largely expected to come from Medicaid in order to fund tax breaks for the wealthiest among us.
What to know about work requirements.
Supporters of the bill are talking about a “work requirement,” which sounds appealing to a broader range of people.
However, a study found that 92 percent of Medicaid recipients were either already working OR had conditions that qualified as exemptions under the prior Trump administration’s policies.
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports the requirement could put 36 million people at risk for losing coverage.
What to know about Medicaid in Kansas.
Medicaid provides insurance for about 30 percent of children in Kansas.
It covers 57 percent of people in nursing homes.
It’s a critical source of funding in rural parts of our state.
To learn more about how Medicaid cuts would impact Kansans, see this report from the Reach Foundation.
ACTION ITEM:
Call your Senators.
Kansas: Roger Marshall | Jerry Moran
Missouri: Josh Hawley | Eric Schmitt
General U.S. Senator look up
What to say?
You oppose tax cuts designed for the wealthiest —- especially when they come on the backs of the most vulnerable.
Work requirements are unnecessary and cruel — and would put an additional 36 million people without insurance.
Children and seniors rely on Medicaid for critical services.
VOICES. We Are Not OK.
Daniel Scharpenburg is a federal employee and 1st Vice President of National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 66, which represents the 6,000 IRS workers at the Kansas City IRS Campus.
In honor of May Day last week, he shared his perspective on what it’s like to work for the federal government now — and what we can do to help support unions.
Read his post here.
Non-Profit Spotlight. CASA: Urgent Need for Volunteers
Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) support children who have experienced abuse or neglect in court to ensure their best interests are met. Funding for the organization is being cut but that doesn’t mean the children’s needs lessen.
CASA of Johnson and Wyandotte Counties have served 320 children this year but there are still 207 children waiting to be matched with a CASA volunteer.
To learn more about volunteering, visit here.
Signs We Love
Send us your sign photos! info@bootsonthegroundmidwest.org
Follow us to stay up-to-date-on the latest news and events. We’re growing our social accounts. Give us a follow so you can share info!
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Thank you for all you do! I just wanted to correct the time (11AM -12PM) and title (Four Corners in Lenexa) of our weekly Standing Rally at 87th Parkway and Maurer in Lenexa! Thanks again !