JANUARY 19, 2025
_______________________________________________________________________________
THIS WEEK:
- MLK Jr’s Legacy Lives In Action
- Show Up at the Rotunda to Demonstrate Determination
- Good Timing for Good Trouble: ACLU Activism Training
- Quiet Power of Introvert Volunteers: Join Us
- Mark Your Calendar
- Good Reads / Good Watches / Good Listens
- This Week’s TO-DO for Good Trouble in Helena
- Pack City Council Meetings for Votes on the ICE resolution
_______________________________________________________________________________
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy Lives in Action
What This Day Asks of Us
Today, we honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and his broad circle of activists who stood up for human rights time after time, jailing after jailing, and injury upon injury. His stunning example of staying true to the principles and practices of non-violence continues to stand out as one of the most effective ways to topple systematized oppression.
As we become more aware of the impact of an oligarchic-driven governance, we can again look to King, who spoke with great clarity and foresight about the ills of toxic capitalism. Here is one of his final thoughts about wealth inequality: “If America does not use her vast resources of wealth to end poverty and make it possible for all of God’s children to have the basic necessities of life, she too will go to hell.”
He said this during a speech at Bishop Charles Mason Temple of the Church of God in Christ, in support of the Memphis sanitation workers’ strike on March 18th, 1968, two weeks before he was assassinated.
King was unabashedly aligned with socialism or democratic socialism. This was a direct result of experiencing, witnessing, and studying the impact of people with more money than morals on those with more morals than money. Here are 11 of his most anti-capitalist quotes.
Beyond the Podium
History often flattens King into speeches and monuments. These details offer a glimpse of the man behind the movement. You may find he’s more relatable than you think!
- He would qualify as a Trekkie. You read that right. He loved the original Star Trek. He inspired actress Nichelle Nichols (Uhura) to stay on the TV show rather than move to Broadway. It was the only TV show he allowed his children to watch regularly.
- He was a C Student in, of all things, public speaking while at the Crozer Theological Seminary.
- He’s a Grammy winner!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Demonstrate Your Determination by Showing UpTuesday, January 20 — Noon
In addition to volunteering, what is another way to honor and celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s mission for human rights for all? The answer is to attend the upcoming veteran-led press conference, calling on Montana’s federal delegation and governor to stop going AWOL in affirming the basic rights described in our petition from last year.
Let’s show up and honor the service of these veterans who will be speaking out about the rights guaranteed in the Constitution, making America affordable, and assuring healthcare is not a hellscape. We will have flags for you to wave, and we encourage you to arrive no later than 11:45.
Scheduled Speakers
- Dennis Taylor – Veteran U.S. Marine Corps Captain
- Winifred Horne – Veteran U.S. Air Force Colonel
- Chip Clawson – Veteran U.S. Marine Corps First Lieutenant
- Karrie Fairbrother – Veteran Army Nurse Corps Second Lieutenant
_______________________________________________________________________________
Good Timing for Good Trouble
At our next membership meeting, representatives from the ACLU will present their timely training to help activists know their First Amendment Rights and how to express them during protests.
The knowledge and skills gained from this training will only become more important and valuable as we continue to protect and support our democracy and the human rights that come with it! Be sure to come on January 22, 6 p.m. at the Lewis and Clark Library in the large conference room.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quiet Power
How Introverts Drive Movements Forward
In the face of the relentless erosion of our rights and freedoms, IH and the wider national pro-democracy movement are growing at warp speed. Our group, like many others across the country, is entirely volunteer-run and led by regular folks, neighbors, and friends coming together to build community and power in their activism.
On the surface, IH looks like loud public action: protests, petitions, rallies, meetings, press events, the whole nine yards. Though like a volcano, just beneath the surface of what you see is the power of volunteers practicing all forms of activism. For every rally, there are hundreds of emails, a dozen spreadsheets, and just barely enough volunteers to make it all happen.
The pro-democracy movement needs introverts and quiet folks just as much as it needs other passionate activists. If you’re introverted and want to engage in your activism to protect our democracy, promote affordability, and support human rights in your community, IH has a place for you, and IH needs you. We offer a place you can belong without leaving your sanctuary. We encourage you to send us an email to get involved.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Mark Your Calendar
January 20, 12 p.m. — Petition Press Conference at the Capitol Rotunda
Led by Veterans. We need your presence to show how strongly we all feel about protecting our rights. We suggest you arrive at 11:45.
January 21, 5 p.m. — Encouraging Council Members to adopt a resolution for ways to respond if/when ICE and DHS arrive in Helena
At the City-County Room 326, 316 N Park Ave. (See the To Do List for other ways to comment if you cannot attend.)
January 22, 6 p.m. — Know Your Rights Training for Activists from the ACLU
Knowing your First Amendment rights and how to assert them when questioned will become increasingly vital. At the Indivisible Helena Membership Meeting, Lewis and Clark Library, in the large conference room.Please attend!
CANCELED: January 25, 12 p.m. — Difficult Conversations: Adding Some Ease
We really regret having to cancel. Watch for the new date.
January 26, 6 p.m. — Encouraging Council Members to adopt a resolution for ways to respond if/when ICE and DHS arrive in Helena
At the City-County Room 326, 316 N Park Ave. (See the To Do List for other ways to comment if you cannot attend.)
_______________________________________________________________________________
Good Reads / Good Watches / Good Listens
1
David Dayen
What a People-Powered Movement Looks Like
The American Prospect
January 16, 2026
“There’s only one way to stand up to a radical occupation by armed thugs, and the people of Minneapolis are already engaged in it.” Compliance is not an acceptable alternative to the sometimes messy, yet effective, loud and non-violent street activism.
__________________
2
Sydney Michalski
Nature Moments
Substack
January 11, 2026
Sydney Michelski writes about what she realized after writing to her senator, Angus King. From her cabin in Maine, she provides a fascinating reframing of many Americans’ political views.
__________________
3
Ezra Levin & Leah Greenberg
VIDEO: What’s the Plan? A Weekly Discussion with Leah and Ezra
January 15, 2026
National Indivisible Co-Founders answer questions and outline actions. Included is great information about why we keep calling even our Republican delegation, and what to say. Also covered is the strategy to get Democratic leaders to listen to their caucus. This is time-sensitive information as the budget shutdown looms at the end of the month.
_______________________________________________________________________________
This Week’s To-Do List
Make Good Trouble in Helena!
1. CONTINUE CALLING OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION
Senator Steve Daines: (202) 224-2651
Senator Tim Sheehey: (202) 224-2644
Representative Ryan Zinke: (202) 225-5628
Representative Troy Downing: (202) 225-3211
• Push on ACA Subsidies
• Stop ICE illegal actions
• No New Wars, and Stay Out of Greenland
____________________
2. HONK & WAVE
Saturdays, noon to 1 p.m.
11th and Montana Ave.
In true Montana fashion, the Honk & Wave continues weekly, except on days at 10℉ or below, or 0℉ with the wind chill.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Ensure Lawful Treatment by ICE/DHS in Helena
Pack Important Helena City Council Meetings
If you, like so many Americans, are horrified by the actions of ICE and DHS agents in Minneapolis, please note this crucial opportunity to support making it possible for the Helena PD not to be required to assist these agencies in their work.
Please keep in mind that, unfortunately, the DHS and ICE are staffed by pardoned J6 insurrectionists. Here’s what is needed this week and next week:
Wednesday, January 21, 5 p.m. — City administrative meeting. Show up!
As many people as possible are encouraged to continue to comment in person, asking the council to please adopt the amendments to the ICE resolution. If you can’t attend, you may also submit a comment online.
Wednesday, January 26, 6 p.m. — City commission votes on the resolution. Help fill the room!
We ask everyone to show up 10 minutes early. To show the level of support for this action, seats need to be filled to standing room only. If you cannot attend in person, please send your comments stating that you would like to see the amendments adopted to the resolution.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Get Your No Kings Yard Signs!
We’ve got ‘em, you want ‘em
Request by email, and we’ll get them to you. The No Kings sign campaign is here until we are sure there will be NO KINGS, EVER!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Support Indivisible Helena
If you’d like to support Indivisible Helena in pushing back against fascism, please consider a donation via this link to the Indivisible Helena ActBlue donation portal or use the QR code below. Your information will remain private — neither IH nor ActBlue shares or sells personal data.
Together, we’ll make sure the U.S. has NO KING.
