MARCH 10, 2026
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THIS WEEK:
- From Barak Obama’s Eulogy for Jesse Jackson
- Sign Up to Provide Crowd Support at NO KINGS III
- Are You Registered to Vote? Maybe You Should Check!
- Mark Your Calendar
- Good Reads / Good Watches / Good Listens
- This Week’s TO-DO List for Good Trouble In Helena
“What can I, as one individual do?
Stop thinking as an individual.”
— Bill McKibbon
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From Barak Obama’s Eulogy for Jesse Jackson
“Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated and bullying and mockery masquerading as strength, we see science and expertise denigrated while ignorance and dishonesty and cruelty and corruption are reaping untold rewards. Every single day we see that, and it’s hard to hope in those moments. So it may be tempting to get discouraged, to give into cynicism. It may be tempting for some to compromise with power, and grab what you can, or even for good people to maybe just put your head down and wait for the storm to pass.
“But, Jackson’s life inspires us to take a harder path. His voice calls on each of us to be heralds of change, to be messengers of hope … Wherever we have a chance to make an impact, whether it’s in our school or our workplaces or our neighborhoods or our cities, not for fame, not for glory, or because success is guaranteed, but because it gives our life purpose, because it aligns with what our faith tells us God demands, and because if we don’t step up, no one else will.”
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No Kings. No Hate. No Fear. Our strength will not be denied.
NO KINGS III will be big, bold and beautiful. We must show up in historic numbers. We need all of us to bring family, friends, co-workers, and strangers (soon to be friends). If you know people who have never considered themselves activists, but are not on board with the Trump agenda, talk to them about the need for everyone who sees the assaults on the rule of law, the inhumane and illegal treatment of our immigrant communities, the unconscionable income gap between the uber wealthy and the rest of us, the shredding of our Constitution, to come together with others to make the peoples’ voices loud, clear and unwavering. Offer to bring them to the rally — it’s more comfortable to go with someone than to go alone.
The NO KINGS III rally is three weeks away: bring your community organizing skills and your desire to build serious resistance muscle. Music, poetry from a former Montana Poet Laureate, chanting and cheering will fire us up to answer the calls to action to oppose imperial wars, to protect our community, defend our right to vote, and renew our commitment to “liberty and justice for all.”
Crowd Support Volunteers Needed for NO KINGS.
We still need 25 volunteers for provide crowd support. You know, the folks in stylish yellow vests! This is a fun and interesting way to support the rally, because you will greet and direct rally goers, support non-violence, and work closely with like-minded folks in a team approach.
Volunteers are required to participate in a 1.25-hour training. There will be two opportunities, or volunteers can attend both, which is a great way to be prepared.
The trainings occur on Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, March 14th, 1 to 2:15 p.m. They cover de-escalation skills, violence prevention, situational awareness, team work protocols and appropriate use of first responders.
Volunteers may be asked to assist with other duties such as clean up. This support won’t be a heavy lift, but it does require volunteers to be on their feet for a couple of hours.
Capitol security will use the Montana Highway Patrol as they have in past rallies. We are coordinating with the Helena Police Department to contract with off-duty HPD officers. All law enforcement will be focused on public safety for everyone.
To sign up, please email Indivisiblehelena@gmail.com with “Crowd Support, Attn: Barb” in the subject line. THANK YOU!
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Are You Registered to Vote?
Maybe You Should Check!
Your vote matters more than ever this election season, so it’s wise to make sure you are registered and know your House and Senate districts and candidates.
States alone have the authority to run elections, which includes maintaining accurate voter rolls (list maintenance). This entails registering eligible voters and removing voters who have moved, passed away, or otherwise become ineligible.
The Trump administration has made it clear that one of its goals in collecting nationwide voter files is to run its own analyses and attempt to force states to remove voters from the rolls based on incomplete and likely inaccurate information. The Constitution grants election administration to the states, not the federal government.
Check Your Voter Registration Information
You can check your registration as many times as you want, and you should especially as we get close to elections. The only safe website to check your voter and/or ballot status and obtain your precinct and district information is at voterportal.mt.gov. For information on candidates and issues, visit the League of Women Voters website at vote411.org
When checking your voter information online, beware of illicit websites and unauthorized individuals who could disclose or misuse your personal information. You are only required to enter your first name, last name, and birth date to view your voter information.
Correct Problems With Your Registration
If you find an error in your registration information or are unable to find your registration, call, email, or visit your local election office.
HELENA ELECTION OFFICE
316 N Park Ave – Rm 168, Helena, MT 59623
Phone: 406-447-8339
Email: elections@lccountymt.gov
Send back your ballot by the election date deadline: Election officials do not consider the ballot envelope postmark to determine if the ballot is eligible.
One More Way to Help Safeguard the Election Process
Volunteer as a poll watcher, election judge, or ballot processor. This link explains the duties and allows you to sign up: Election Judges – Lewis & Clark County
We are the ones who will make the difference in 2026 and beyond.
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Mark Your Calendar
Friday, March 20, 10 a.m – Noon p.m. — Constitution Day 2026
At the Big Sky Hall, Montana Heritage Center, 225 Roberts Street, Helena.
The Friends of the Montana Constitution invite the public to a free lecture by the Honorable Anthony Johnstone on Montana’s Constitution. Judge Johnstone of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit will present “The Montana Constitution in Time,” with an introduction by Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice, Cory Swanson.
Light refreshments will be provided at 10 a.m. Remarks begin at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Q&A.
This first annual Montana Constitution Day is sponsored by the Montana Historical Society and the Friends of the Montana Constitution.
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Wednesday, March 18, 6 – 8:30 p.m. — Truth, Transparency, and Justice in Our Democracy
At Carroll College, Lower Campus Center’
Hosted by the Carroll College Alumni and Community Engagement Office, the Political Science Department, and the League of Women Voters of the Helena Area.
The evening begins with a 7 p.m. screening of the documentary Dark Money, which explores the influence of undisclosed political spending and its impact on American elections and public trust.
At 7:30 p.m., a panel discussion featuring Marc Racicot, Steve Bullock, and Jeff Mangan, founder of the Transparent Election Initiative, examining the film’s themes of transparency, accountability, and the role of citizens in shaping a healthy democracy.
Can’t attend March 18? Another screening will take place March 31 at the Myrna Loy Center.
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Tuesday, March 24, 6 – 7:30 p.m. — The Montana Constitution Roadshow
At the Lewis & Clark Library, Helena
Indivisible Helena invites the public to The Montana Constitution Roadshow, presented by Upper Seven Law. Ratified in 1972, Montana’s Constitution was created by Montanans, for Montanans, to reflect the values, priorities, and hopes of the people of this state.
Led by Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, founder and executive director of Upper Seven Law, the presentation will explore the unique features of the Montana Constitution, including the right to know and the right to hold government accountable. The program will also examine its historical context and continuing role in protecting the rights of Montanans, while highlighting the interplay among the state’s three branches of government through stories, insights, and an engaging visual presentation.
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Good Reads / Good Views / Good Listens
1
Jason Sattler
MAGA Stole Obama’s Playbook
Farce.org
March 6, 2026
This article discusses how the right learned Obama’s game and what Mamdani and Indivisible show about taking it back from the mucky mucks like Rahm Emmanuel who tossed it aside. Sattler’s explanation of how two different 80s movements — D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) and MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) — provided different approaches to community organizing, one of which prevailed and is the blueprint for Indivisible’s unprecedented success at organizing resistance to the Trump tyranny.
MADD, MAGA and Indivisible all learned this crucial lesson: “You mobilize people to do a thing once. You organize people into the kind of folks who just do the thing without being asked twice.” And so much more here. Take the time to read.
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2
Darrell Ehrlich
So Many Candidates for 2026 (Scroll down to THE HOOK)
February 19, 2026
“Woody Guthrie wrote a poem, “Plane Wreck at Los Gatos,” in 1948 when a plane deporting migrant farm workers back to Mexico crashed over Los Gatos Canyon. Newspapers listed the names of the four Americans flying the plane but listed the migrants only as “Deportees.” Guthrie wrote the song to protest the racist mistreatment of the workers before and after the crash and also to protest the practice of the U.S. paying to leave crops rotting in fields to keep prices high. Martin Hoffman added music to the words that would become Deportee as performed by Woody’s son Arlo Guthrie in this video.”
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3
Audrey Henson
Humor Wins the Day Against the Evil Empire: Mr. Monopoly Jump-Scare
Substack: The Drey Dossier
February 7, 2026
This brief reel captures the golden moment of the Warner Brothers/Netflix antitrust hearing. “Nothing says “serious antitrust jurisprudence” like a Mr. Monopoly jump-scare lurking behind the suits. Peak civic theater.”
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This Week’s To-Do List
Make Good Trouble in Helena!
1.
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2. CALLING OUR FEDERAL DELEGATION
Senator Steve Daines: (202) 224-2651
Senator Tim Sheehy: (202) 224-2644
Representative Ryan Zinke: (202) 225-5628
Representative Troy Downing: (202) 225-3211
NO WAR!
Americans do not want war — with Iran or any other country.
NO CHEMICAL WARFARE!
Write your outrage and your sorrow over the death and destruction unleashed on people just like us — with the same hopes for better lives, prayers for better futures for their children. Read Bill McKibben’s article on the poisoning of Tehran.
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3. SIGN DISABILITY RIGHTS MONTANA LETTER TO AG KNUDSEN
From our friends at Disability Rights Montana comes a request with major consequences for Montanans living with disabilities: a petition urging the Montana attorney general to withdraw from a lawsuit that seeks to change the rules to eliminate community support and push people into institutions.
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4. HONK & WAVE
Saturdays, noon to 1 p.m.
11th and Montana Ave.
In true Montana fashion, the Honk & Wave continues weekly.
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5. STOCK THE PUREVIEW PANTRIES
Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Drop off at PureView: 1930 9th Ave.
The Little Free Pantries at PureView Health Center need our help. The two pantries are always accepting non-perishable food and personal hygiene products.