Proposed resolution on two sexes attracts hundreds to Houghton County Commission Meeting

By Michele Bourdieu*

More than 100 local residents fill the courtroom at the Houghton County Courthouse for the Dec. 9, 2025, Houghton County Commission meeting to discuss a proposed resolution on two sexes added to the agenda at the last minute. (Photo © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson)

HOUGHTON -- Hundreds of Houghton County residents and some visitors filled the large courtroom beyond allowed fire capacity at the Houghton County Courthouse the evening of December 9, 2025. For safety reasons, at a request by County Sheriff Saarinen, many had to leave voluntarily to attend via Zoom in a smaller room or to wait in the hall for a chance to make public comments on a proposed resolution "To Declare There Are Only Two Sexes."**

According to a report by Houghton resident Craig Waddell, the meeting attracted 350 people attending in person, 88 of whom spoke, and another 400 people on Zoom, 27 of whom spoke. League of Women Voters of the Copper Country President Faith Morrison said 88 percent of the comments were in opposition to the resolution.

During the hour preceding the 6 p.m. meeting, a large crowd gathered for a rally with signs and chants outside the Courthouse. 

Between 5 and 6 p.m. a large crowd gathered outside the Courthouse to rally against the resolution on two sexes. (Photo © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson)

Keweenaw Indivisible and other local groups organized the rally and encouraged people to display their signs and banners and to demonstrate peacefully before the meeting.

Preceding the Houghton County Commission meeting of Dec. 9, 2025, a crowd gathers in front of the Houghton County Courthouse in Houghton, MI, to rally against a proposed resolution that there are only two sexes. (Video © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

Rich Canevez of Keweenaw Indivisible welcomes the crowd outside the Courthouse. Bill Fink leads the group in chants, including "Two, four, six, eight -- ain't no room in our town for hate!" and "Hey Hey, Ho Ho! This resolution is a NO!" (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Bill Fink of Keweenaw Indivisible spoke briefly to Keweenaw Now of the reason for opposing the resolution.

Bill Fink tells Keweenaw Now the proposed resolution is based on hate. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

One visitor who came all the way from Marquette to attend the meeting was Marissa Jayne Wolfe, an activist who transitioned from male to female in 2009 and faced discrimination and hatred at work and in housing and had to fight for the right to see her child. She spoke at the meeting about her experiences, her eventual membership in U.P. Rainbow Pride and her role in bringing pride fest to Marquette. Marissa was also responsible for changes to Michigan State law after a business owner in Marquette used religion as an excuse to discriminate against her.

Marissa Jayne Wolfe displays her flag during the Dec. 9 rally in front of the Houghton County Courthouse preceding the County Commissioners' meeting. The flag shows "there are more than two genders, more than two races and more than two ways to love someone," Marissa says. (Photo © John Peiffer for Keweenaw Now)

"I reported this business to the Michigan Department of Civil Rights," she said. "My case went through the Michigan Supreme Court, and as a result in 2023 Michigan's 1976 Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act was amended to include sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Many people do not know this but the amendment to the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act also means that you can no longer use religion as an excuse to justify your bigotry in Michigan."

Thus, Houghton County's proposed Resolution on two sexes is in violation of Michigan State Law, Marissa noted.

At the rally preceding the Houghton County Commissioners' Dec. 9, 2025, meeting, Marquette activist Marissa Jayne Wolfe speaks with Keweenaw Now on her work to change Michigan State law. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

One of the first people to comment in the courtroom was Dr. Shelby Owens, a Hancock physician and scientist, who pointed out the unscientific statements in the resolution concerning X and Y chromosomes.

During the public comment period at the Dec. 9, 2025, Houghton County Commission meeting, Dr. Shelby Owens, a local physician and scientist, points out the unscientific statements about two sexes and chromosomes in the proposed resolution under discussion. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Mariah Dunham, educator and coach, spoke with emotion about one of her trans students who took her own life at the age of 13.

During the public comments on the proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes, Mariah Dunham, an educator and coach, relates her experience as a high school teacher losing a trans student to suicide. (Video by Keweenaw Now) 

Alan Salmi of Hancock, who worked as a medical social worker for many years, gave an example of a woman with an intersex condition who was forced to have surgery against her will.

Alan Salmi of Hancock speaks about the suffering of a woman who had an intersex condition that her parents wished to conceal. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

A local resident who commented on the kindness of neighbors in the Copper Country said she was unfortunately embarrassed by the bigotry behind this proposed resolution.

A local resident expresses embarrassment at the "religious" bigotry behind a proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes -- especially at Christmastime. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

A speaker concerned about local mental health services reminds the County commissioners that problems with administration of those services should have priority over the proposed resolution.

This resident expresses concern for the crisis in mental health services in Houghton County and tells commissioners this should be a priority, not the resolution that only two sexes be listed on official forms. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

One original comment for the commissioners referred to the economic impact of the proposed resolution.

A speaker challenges the commissioners to think about the economic impact the proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes could have on the county. She gives the example of the "Bathroom Bill" in North Carolina. (Video © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson)

A few comments expressed support for the proposed resolution. 

One comment on "common sense" received audience reaction.

A Houghton County resident who favors the proposed resolution on two sexes proposed at the Dec. 9, 2025, Houghton County Commission meeting asks commissioners to vote in favor of the resolution so he, as a constituent, can vote for something he feels is "common sense." Some members of the audience in the courtroom laughed at that statement, but he ignored their ridicule. One commissioner then reminded the audience to refrain from laughing out of respect. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

In his report on the meeting, Craig Waddell noted several ordained ministers commented on the resolution -- some for and some against.

"Christians speaking in opposition to the resolution identified themselves as Lutheran, Episcopal, Unitarian, Methodist, and Presbyterian/Congregationalist (Portage Lake United Church)," Waddell said.

Peter Norland, pastor since 2018 of Portage Lake United Church, an ecumenical congregation, spoke against the resolution. The Portage Lake United Church welcomes LBGTQIA+ people through More Light Presbyterians' mission to celebrate the lives, gifts and leadership of LBGTQIA+ people. 

Bucky Beach -- who has worked as a chaplain for students at Suomi College and Michigan Tech, has been a Lutheran pastor and now is a guest minister at the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, an ecumenical group that welcomes LBGTQ+ people -- also spoke in opposition to the resolution.

Bucky Beach speaks during the comment period of the Dec. 9, 2025, Houghton County Commission meeting. (Screenshot © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson) 

"The more people on a gender fluid scale you talk to and befriend and give birth to, listening to their experiences, the more you understand and the more you learn how cruel and discriminatory it is to deny them their reality," Bucky said. "It's not our right to define who anyone is, especially given new research and education in matters of science and religion."

Waddell said those speaking in support of the resolution appealed primarily to literal reading of the Bible, especially Genesis.

"For the most part, they did not identify themselves by any particular Christian denomination," Waddell added. "However, based on what they did say, I believe that at least three different Christian denominations were represented, including by at least two ministers."

Christian Pastor Ivan Niemela claimed to care about a person in his family who identifies as non-binary. While he expressed concern for that person and similar persons who have suffered cruelty, he still asked the commissioners to approve the resolution on two sexes.

"We should be supporting these people and getting them the help that they need instead of affirming them in their unreality," Niemela stated. 

He was accompanied by his young son, who read some quotes from the Bible. 

In his comments on the speakers, Waddell noted also, "Several people recommended 'conversion therapy' (without calling it that), which the Human Rights Campaign describes as 'a range of dangerous and discredited practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression'"(See "The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity").

Kyleigh Pemble, a Houghton High School junior, said she was embarrassed to be related to Joel Keranen, the commissioner who proposed the resolution on two sexes.

Kyleigh Pemble speaks out in defense of her trans friend Matteo during the Dec. 9, 2025, Houghton County Commission meeting, where the majority of public comments opposed a proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Kyleigh's best friend, Matteo Gonzcuez, followed up her comments by telling the commissioners how trans students suffer silencing and cruelty because of their gender.

Matteo Gonzcuez, a 17-year-old trans high school student, speaks in opposition to the proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes. He calls for treating both intersex and trans people with acceptance and kindness rather than discriminating against them unjustly. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

In his own comments to the commissioners, Craig Waddell cited the following from a 2000 article in the American Journal of Human Biology ("How sexually dimorphic are we? Review and synthesis"): "We surveyed the medical literature from 1955 to the present for studies of the frequency of deviation from the 'ideal' male or female. We conclude that this frequency may be as high as 2 percent of live births."  [Emphasis added.]***

Waddell added, "Given that Houghton County has a population of approximately 38,000, that suggests that about 760 people in the county do not fall into these two neat categories."

He also pointed out these statistics: Whereas about 2 percent of U.S. adults have attempted suicide, approximately 41 percent of transgender people have attempted suicide at some point in their life. That rate increases

• to 51 percent for those bullied or harassed in school, 
• to 55 percent for those who recently lost a job due to bias
• to 61 percent for those who were victims of physical assault, and 
• to 64 percent for those who were victims of sexual assault.****

Under Ethics, Waddell noted the Golden Rule: "The foundation of Judeo-Christian ethics -- as well as many other religious and secular systems of ethics -- is the principal of reversibility:  How would we act or how would we want others to act if the situation were reversed?"

And among several examples he cited this familiar one:  Jesus: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  (Matthew 7:12)

Victoria Bergvall, Houghton resident and professor emerita of Linguistics retired from Michigan Tech, told the commissioners she was shocked to see the resolution on two sexes on the meeting agenda. She said she has been researching language and the power of discourse over the last 45 years, since her PhD work at Harvard and MIT -- and she has focused on "how scientists and the public discuss and understand issues of sex, gender, sexuality, especially in the mind and brain."

Bergvall, who has studied "Speech Act" theory, which considers how we can, in some cases, bring certain things into being by making declarations, said the proposed resolution reminded her of the story of King Canute. He stood on the shore of England and ordered the waves to halt, but discovered his words would not halt the waves.

"The act of declaring that there are only two sexes is NOT a speech act that this county commission has the authority to enact," Bergvall said. "Biology, like Canute’s recognition of those inexorable waves, is a force that exceeds the power of speech acts."

Bergvall then repeated what others at the meeting had pointed out: "Medical and scientific advances over the last century have shown that there are more than two chromosome expressions: not just XX and XY, but also XXX and XXY, amid a spectrum of human sexual variations." (Ainsworth, 2015)*****  

Science can thus explain why we have intersex and trans people who are non-binary.

This sign displayed outside the courthouse before the meeting expresses the importance of a scientific point of view. (Photo © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson)

"Unfortunately, humans are all too good at another kind of language -- using words to separate 'us' from 'them': to exclude or render as 'other' those who don’t fit neat categories, often erasing their humanity," Bergvall added. "However, we can also use the power of language to show compassion and empathy, to include rather than erase."

Her final challenge to the commissioners was this: "Which do you want to be: the willful linguistic excluders and deniers of actual biological forces and people, or those who build a circle to encompass all humans? I know where I wish to stand."

The Dec. 9 meeting finally concluded at 12:20 a.m., but Commissioner Tom Tikkanen asked for a motion to bring the resolution to a vote before that.******

Late on the evening of Dec. 9, 2025, the Houghton County Commissioners vote on the proposed resolution stating there are only two sexes. The vote is 4 to 1 opposing the resolution. The one commissioner who voted "yes," Joel Keranen, was also the one who introduced it to the agenda at the last minute. The majority of public comments by people attending in person or on Zoom were opposed to the resolution. (Video © and courtesy Adɐm Johnson)

Notes: 

* Keweenaw Now wishes to thank those who contributed photos, videos and comments to this article.

** For the text of the resolution "To Declare There Are Only Two Sexes," CLICK HERE for the meeting packet and scroll down to p. 14.

*** See also "Biological sex is not as simple as male or female: Defining sex as a binary excludes many biological realities, scientists say," Tina Hesman Saey, Science News, February 20, 2025.

**** (See "Report of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey: Executive Summary," (December 2016).

****** CLICK HERE for information on the Houghton County Board of Commissioners and their meetings.

New Report: Michigan taxpayers on hook for billions while Enbridge profits from proposed tunnel

From: Oil and Water Don't Mix

Poster courtesy Oil and Water Don't Mix.

Oil and Water Don't Mix just released a comprehensive analysis (read the report) showing how Enbridge's proposed Line 5 tunnel puts Michigan taxpayers at catastrophic risk while the company dodges liability and keeps the profits. This new report exposes the scam. Governor Whitmer and EGLE Director Roos can still stop it.

The Bottom Line:

•  Michigan will own the tunnel and inherit massive liability
•  Enbridge's insurance covers less than 4 percent of potential damages
•  Worst-case costs could exceed $45 billion
•  The "watchdog" agency was designed to partner with Enbridge, not protect taxpayers
•  No comprehensive review has been completed

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warns that the tunnel isn't watertight. Technical analysis classifies it as "potentially gassy," meaning it could explode. And Michigan's own Attorney General and DNR have issued explicit warnings about the financial risks that are being ignored.

This decision is happening NOW. Governor Whitmer's administration must decide whether to approve Enbridge's tunnel permit. 

Take Action Now: 

Tell Governor Whitmer and EGLE Director Roos: Protect Taxpayers, Deny the Permit. Decision-makers need to hear from people right now. Send a message demanding they 

• complete a comprehensive review before any decision,
• address the Attorney General and DNR's warnings about taxpayer liability,
• reject a deal that puts billions at risk for Michigan families while Enbridge profits.

CLICK HERE to send the email as written or add your own thoughts.

READ MORE about the red flags concerning the proposed Line 5 tunnel from Brian O’Mara, a geological engineer and 30-year veteran of tunnel projects, and Mike Wilczynski, who has more than 40 years of geological and environmental experience.

"No Kings 2.0" event in Houghton attracts 850 peaceful participants supporting American principles

By Valorie Troesch*

Hundreds of participants in the October 18, 2025, "No Kings 2.0" rally and march line the Portage Lift Bridge in Houghton, Mich. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible)

On October 18, 2025, some 850 people gathered on a warm sunny autumn day in the Copper Country of Michigan's Upper Peninsula to celebrate the absence of kings in America and to affirm the principles of the United States Constitution.

Nationally and across the world, over 7 million people attended more than 2,700 "No Kings" events. Their message was this: "America has no kings, and the power belongs to the people."

"No Kings 2.0" was organized by Indivisible nationally and by Keweenaw Indivisible locally in the Copper Country. Keweenaw Indivisible is a grassroots social movement fighting for progressive values. It is committed to building community and taking tangible action to support our families, friends, and neighbors.

When I arrived home after the event, my husband, who had been livestreaming the march across the Portage Lift Bridge via the Michigan Tech Webcam, announced that he’d never seen so many people on the bridge at one time. Watching hundreds of people amass on the bridge was indeed impressive. Being there in person was to witness and to participate in acts of both resistance and hope.

People gathered at Bridgeview Park in Houghton at Noon on Saturday, Oct. 18. They were welcomed by a member of the Keweenaw Indivisible leadership team, Rich Canevez, assistant professor of Communication, Culture, and Media in the Humanities Department at Michigan Tech. He led the crowd in loud shouts of "No Kings!" intended to be heard as far away as Calumet and reported to be heard at least across the canal at Takka Saunas in Hancock. Mariah Durham -- a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and former Michigan Tech women’s basketball coach, now teaching K-12 Physical Education and Health, next fired up the crowd with a series of chants apropos of the "No Kings" message.

Rich Canevez of Keweenaw Indivisible (center in blue vest) welcomes the crowd at Bridgeview Park and leads them in loud shouts of "No Kings!" (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible) 

Sandy Vaupel was the first speaker. Sandy is an active member of Keweenaw Indivisible. She volunteered to speak at the No Kings event because, in spite of her reluctance to publicly address a crowd, she believed she had a relevant message to share.

Sandy began her talk with this: "I’m here because of something Jack Bergman said. He has a problem with protesters because, he says, we only say what we are against, not what we are for. So, I made a list of things I am for, things about America we need to preserve and protect."

And then Sandy realized she was onto something: "In the run up to No Kings 2, I realized that my little essay really fit into the desired message for the event -- a mainly positive message -- so I volunteered to speak. Though no more eager than anyone to speak to an audience, I knew I had to serve the message and that it would give me strength."

Sandy Vaupel of Keweenaw Indivisible speaks about things in America she is for preserving and protecting. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible)

Sandy’s message was exactly what we all needed to hear as we started our No Kings event because it encapsulated the essence of why we were there and what we value about our country. Some of the things Sandy said we must preserve and protect are an executive government that is constrained by a robust system of checks and balances, due process, the right of people to peaceably assemble, human dignity, fair wages and safe working conditions, the right to organize, the planet, the underdog (the people of Ukraine and Gaza today), and bipartisanship.

The second speaker was Kiko Silvelet, who was born in São Paulo, Brazil. He came to the US at the age of 15 and later studied engineering at Michigan Tech. Kiko became a U.S. citizen and now works as a research engineer at Michigan Tech in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. He is also an active volunteer with the Copper Dog 150.

Kiko covered a lot of ground in his speech. He began by saying that he was conflicted about speaking at the march. He was concerned about the potential for violence in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s killing and, because he has friends "across the board," he didn’t want to risk those friendships. He also warned that what he would say might be controversial.

Kiko Silvelet addresses the crowd gathered at the "No Kings 2.0" rally on Oct. 18. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible) 

Kiko said that he judges everything through his "Brazilian filter" -- how would he feel if this were happening in Brazil, how would he act and what does it really mean? He said that the real problem in America is not left versus right but rather class disparity. He admonished us that we cannot complain about corporations funding politicians when we continue to buy their stuff or invest in their stock -- something he does not say we should abandon but must be aware of. Quoting the Industrial Workers of the World, Kiko called for a nationwide general strike of workers, direct action that would "break the legs" of the oligarchs.

Kiko’s closing point was one of hope and optimism. He said that he no longer reads or listens to the news. In his words, "this is just a storm, and spring will come." He noted the United States is young and current events are just part of the process. He said, "the day that everyone agrees is the day that no one is thinking." Kiko asked everyone to think about the meaning of No Kings and advised us to mingle and to make friends with people we don’t agree with. And he advised us to push gently because pushing hard will create even harder pushback. His final words were these: "To resist despair is what it is to be truly free."

Pastor Bucky Beach was the third and final speaker. Bucky is well known to us as the chaplain at Finlandia University (formerly Suomi College), the pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, and faculty at Michigan Tech. He is retired but remains engaged in the faith community. Bucky began by recounting the phrase he typed repeatedly when he was learning to type: "Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their land." Now is that time, he said, to come to the aid of our land and all lands in this world.

Pastor Bucky Beach calls for unity, moral debate and local action to protect our shared world. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible) 

Bucky referenced the recent People of the Heart Water Walk -- a 3-day event including both Native and non-Native participants, led by Indigenous leaders and concluding on Indigenous Peoples' Day -- as a symbolic connection. "Connection" is never guaranteed and is what brought everyone together on No Kings Day. 

"We come from many places but our action begins right here in the Copper Country," Bucky said. "We are united in standing up to protect our world, we are united in standing up to protect those we care about and love, especially those who are vulnerable, but even advocating for the rights and protection of those with whom we disagree. Like it or not, we hold all of this together, and that is a sacred covenant that we share." 

Bucky spoke about democracy and the proclamation that it is self-evident as ideas that become manifest only if we are committed to making those ideas a reality in the political, social, economic, and religious institutions that we create.

"If we are going to talk about religion and politics in the public square, we need to have a real moral debate and conversation about religious and political and policy violence being contrary to American and religious values," Bucky stated. "We’ve got work to do."

That work includes not only showing up for No Kings Day, but listening to each other and being humble enough to recognize our common humanity -- and learning to be a neighbor to someone we might not agree with, he explained.

Hundreds of local residents and visitors gather at Bridgeview Park in Houghton for the "No Kings 2.0" event on Oct. 18, 2025. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Indivisible)

By all accounts, 850 plus people is a record turnout for any protest in the Copper Country. Why did they come?

Members of the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, along with their national League of Women Voters organization, joined "No Kings 2.0" as an official non-partisan partner to stand in solidarity with partners and oppose hate and authoritarianism.

According to Mary Marchaterre, treasurer of the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, "The League has consistently and boldly spoken up in the face of rising authoritarianism." 

Members of the League of Women Voters of the Copper Country display their posters during the Oct. 18 "No Kings 2.0" rally in Houghton. Pictured here, from left, are Fredi deYampert, Kristina Owen, Barry Fink, Vicky Bergvall, Mary Marchaterre, and David Nitz. (Photo courtesy Mary Marchaterre)

The common cause -- that America has no kings and will not tolerate authoritarianism -- was shared by everyone I spoke with. 

"I had to be at the No Kings walk because so many of our democracy safeguards are being removed," said Ruth Gleckler, retired military and community volunteer. "It was a beautiful day to walk across the bridge and be with people who care about our country enough to be there."

Amy Weekley, a member of Keweenaw Indivisible, said: "I attended the No Kings demonstration because I am appalled by this administration’s complete disregard for the rule of law and for our Constitution. I, like many Americans, am desperate for a return to checks and balances rather than hyper-partisan pandering….As a country, we are better than this. We need to care about each other. We need to help each other. None of us is free until all of us are free."

Amy Hjerstedt attended with her 13-year-old son (and their dog). She explained their reason for being here: "The No Kings rally’s message is something most Americans can get behind. Harkening back to our collective power to resist rule by one powerful person, I could feel our local people attempt to stand together to push back in a joyful, artistic assemblage."

Carol MacLennan, professor emeritus of Anthropology at Michigan Tech, was in Marquette and initially planned to join the rally there, but she instead drove back to Houghton on Saturday morning in order to be with people she knew.

"I believe that these nation-wide marches are one of the best ways to express an opinion on the current state of our nation," Carol said. "I found myself inspired again to do the work it takes to keep democracy intact: pay attention, do what I can to help out on local initiatives, talk with others who think differently, explore new strategies and possibilities for effective vigilance with friends."

Craig Waddell, emeritus professor of Rhetoric at Michigan Tech, provided some basic history against the backdrop of the No Kings Day march: "The 'No Kings' principle goes back to the founding of our country and the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution, including Articles I and II, which separate the powers of Congress and the president. As James Madison -- our fourth president and the principal author of our Constitution -- wrote, 'The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and judiciary, in the same hands . . . may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny.'" (The Federalist Papers, No. 47, 1788).

Craig explained the current context of what happens when the nation -- supported by a United States Supreme Court decision -- rejects the separation of powers in favor of a unitary all-powerful executive: "This is why, in her dissenting opinion on the Supreme Court’s July 1, 2024, 6-3 vote on Trump v. United States (on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution), Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote, 'The President of the United States is the most powerful person in the country, and possibly the world. When he uses his official powers in any way, under the [Court majority’s] reasoning, he now will be insulated from criminal prosecution. . . . The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.'"

In addition to resisting authoritarianism and supporting democracy, attendees also said that it was important to be among other people in an atmosphere of unity, joy, and hope.

Again from Amy Weekley: "The demonstration was such a lovely display of unity, joy, and hope. It was so nice to be there with hundreds of other people who want for us to be better as a country, and the honks and thumbs up from so many passing cars were really uplifting. It made me feel less alone."

Steve Blackburn, communications vice-chair for the local Houghton County Democratic Party, said this of his experience: "As a first timer at one of these rallies, it reminded me of the enthusiasm and energy I saw for Kamala and Tim at the rallies they held last fall. Not only enthusiasm but more importantly joy. People were in good spirits and peaceful. There were large American flags being carried about, and I saw many patriotic slogans on signs among the crowd. I don’t know where Speaker Johnson got his information from about who would show up for these rallies, but he clearly did not know what he was talking about. I spent my time on the bridge smiling and waving enthusiastically at every passing car, and I did my best to catch the eye of the drivers and passengers. MANY gave thumbs up and smiled or waved back. A few tried their darndest to ignore me. One young man gave me the bird. I consider that to be my 'informal survey' of the support of the rally, and I have to say it was very positive."

Commenting after the event, Sandy Vaupel said, "As far as how I felt, I am always amazed at how emotional I get when at an event, and that emotion is mainly awe. It was a privilege to share a stage (of sorts) with the two inspirational speakers there. I am in awe of, and grateful to, those who sacrifice so much to organize these events. I really appreciate all the people who gave up a big part of their Saturday to participate, and even those who bother to honk their horns in support. It feels like family, only bigger and better."

Displaying their signs and flags to oncoming traffic, participants in the "No Kings 2.0" march line the Portage Lift Bridge in a peaceful demonstration. (Photo © and courtesy Tiff DeGroot)

What’s next after this second No Kings March? What do attendees expect and what do they want to happen now?

Steve Blackburn made this local observation: "Even in a county like ours that turned out for Trump last November, the dissatisfaction with his administration is very palpable." 

Amy Weekley added, "I hope that as we move forward, we can turn this momentum into action and change. Our numbers grow at each of these events, and we are all hungry for an action plan to effect change. We need to keep pushing forward!"

Amy Hjerstedt endorsed an action advocated by Kiko Silvelet: "One of the speakers explained how our real resistance will be felt when we use our purchasing power. Trump and politicians will pay attention to our demands when we band together to stop buying and working on the same day(s). While rallies are fun for us and they bring a little awareness for the day, the resistance is felt when we stop supporting businesses that support the status quo, stop using social media, and stop participating in the economy that currently does not care about our democracy or quality of life. After the speaker, my thirteen-year-old son, who also attended the No Kings rally with me, and I talked about what more we can do that can make an impact. We don’t use social media (I stopped when Zuckerberg gave money to the Trump Inauguration) and I refuse to shop on Amazon for family purchases. But what is one more way we can help push back? We are hopeful the people at the rally will continue to lead and coordinate the joyful group of local people to do what the speaker recommended and ask all to stop working and shopping. Imagine if we all did that for a day or a week. Our politicians would take notice and our resistance would be felt." 

Some concluding thoughts.

First, many thanks to Keweenaw Indivisible for organizing this event and for making it safe for all those who came to publicly proclaim that there are no kings in America. This is no small thing, given the advance threats that violence would be not just possible but probable. The day was peaceful, surprisingly peaceful in that there were no big trucks bearing Trump flags, honking to drown out speakers, and spewing black exhaust at the crowds. Thanks also to everyone who was willing to share their thoughts with me and to be quoted. That, too, is an act of resistance and courage.

Second, we expected more people to No Kings Day 2 than came to No Kings Day 1 in June. And come they did. Estimates are about 850. The people who were "counting" attendance by giving out candy went home with none of the 1000 pieces of candy they had to distribute. We are told that people are not paying attention, that they are uninformed and unaware of what is going on and do not care. I don’t think that is true. The fact is that our friends and neighbors who were not at the No Kings Day have lives to lead, bills to pay, families to tend to, jobs they must go to even on a Saturday. But as they were out and about, driving across the bridge, those friends and neighbors -- hundreds of them -- honked, cheered, smiled, gave thumbs up, and expressed their support. And those are only the ones who happened to be on the bridge. There are thousands of others. Support is out there. And it is growing. I read somewhere after the No Kings Day event that the march itself was not the point; the march was the recruitment drive. Let’s hope that is true.

What is next? On the occasions that I’ve had to speak, my message has been consistent. It is unchanged today: we must continue to show up, to speak up, to vote, and to not give up. 

*Editor's  Note: Guest author Valorie Troesch is a retired attorney and resident of Torch Lake Township. Keweenaw Now wishes to express our appreciation for Valorie's volunteering to cover the No Kings 2.0 event and report on it here.

Porkies Protected! Grassroots effort stops $50M mine subsidy at last minute

This map shows how close the Copperwood Mine would be to the Porcupine Mountains State Park and Lake Superior. Note the diagram in the lower left corner of the map. CLICK ON MAP for a larger image. (Map courtesy Protect the Porkies)

From: Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC)

In 2025 the Protect the Porkies campaign -- a UPEC member organization -- has been mobilizing to prevent the approval of 50 million taxpayer dollars to fund the preliminary infrastructure necessary for the proposed Copperwood Mine to advance. 

Copperwood is a proposed copper sulfide mine, which would share a border with the western portion of Porcupine Mountains State Park -- mainland Michigan's largest old growth wilderness area -- with metallic sulfide waste containing dangerous heavy metals to be stored in unprecedented proximity to Lake Superior.

View of Lake Superior next to Porcupine Mountains State Park. (Photo © Sol Anzorena and courtesy Protect the Porkies)

This same funding was halted twice last year in the Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee but was reintroduced on April 23rd of this year by Rep. Greg Markkanen, now rebranded as a "community infrastructure" grant for Wakefield Township. The infrastructure in question -- cell towers, heavy industrial roads, and power grid -- would've been rolled out into an uninhabited area for the exclusive purpose of advancing the mine.

Protect the Porkies organized a sign-on letter of 230 local residents and 100+ organizations to oppose the funding, including the Michigan League of Women Voters, the Michigan Environmental Council, and the Michigan chapter of the Sierra Club. The two closest Michigan Tribal Nations -- the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) and the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa -- both submitted their own letters of opposition.* Two trips were made to Lansing this year in close collaboration with Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior: the first, to educate lawmakers; and the second, to hold a rally protesting the Michigan House's approval of the funding in August.**

View of the Lake of the Clouds, located in the Porcupine Mountains State Park. If the Copperwood Mine goes through, the environment -- as well as the spectacular view of this lake -- could be jeopardized by the huge pile of tailings (mining waste) Copperwood would produce and store nearby. (Photo © Bryan Mitchell and courtesy Protect the Porkies)*** 

Despite these efforts, shortly before the official Michigan budget deadline of October 1st, it was learned that Governor Whitmer was pushing for the item's inclusion in the budget, and Senator Elissa Slotkin publicly endorsed the Copperwood Mine. Sources in Lansing were reporting that the funding had indeed been included. But during overtime budget negotiations, a renewed rallying cry from the Protect the Porkies campaign resulted in a surge of Michigan residents reaching out to lawmakers, until both the House and Senate agreed to eliminate the controversial proposal.

"Lawmakers weighed all sides of the issue and decided that rolling out infrastructure into an uninhabited area to help an inexperienced foreign mining company was not a good use of taxpayer funding," said Tom Grotewohl, founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign. "We fully support state money coming to Gogebic County -- but let it fund locally-owned businesses and other endeavors that do not export our wealth out of the area at the expense of the environment. This is a win for everyone, both ecologically and economically."

Although the funding was not included in the budget signed by the Governor, the mine may still advance through private investment. And source close to the campaign assert that the $50 million request will be reintroduced as a budget supplemental later this year.

So get ready for Round Four! For more information, visit www.ProtectThePorkies.com and see Protect the Porkies on Facebook for updates on thanking organizations and legislators for opposing the $50 million funding.

Celebrate at the October 22 Protect the Porkies party

All are invited to join Protect the Porkies for a celebration at the Ore Dock brewery in Marquette, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 22. It will include a few speakers, but mainly live music from some of the wonderful artists from their Songwriting Contest --including the winners! There will be poetry, a coloring station for children (and anyone else who wants to color nature scenes), and more. 

Editor's Notes:

* CLICK HERE to read the letter of opposition from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).

** See the Sept. 17, 2025, Keweenaw Now article by Protect the Porkies, "UPDATED: Citizens march against funding for Copperwood Mine."  

*** CLICK HERE to read the "Preliminary Dam Breach Inundation Analysis for the Copperwood Project" by scientists of the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC). They found that modeled failures could release tailings that reach Lake Superior in less than an hour, could contaminate the Presque Isle River in less than 1.5 hours, and could affect the underground mine entrance and other mine infrastructure. In addition, they note that a tailings flood in parts of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness could reach up to 14 m high in parts of the flooded areas.

Marquette groups host peaceful Rally, "Signs of Fascism" walking demonstration for citizens' concerns

By Michele Bourdieu

Marquette area residents and others demonstrate for democracy, voting rights, peace in Gaza and Ukraine and other current issues in front of the U.S. Post Office in Marquette on Sept. 20, 2025. Citizens for Peace and Justice organizes these rallies on Saturdays. Lake Superior Region Indivisible (LSRI) provides a safety team of volunteers trained in de-escalation to assure the rallies are peaceful. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

MARQUETTE, Mich. -- Last Saturday, Sept. 20, in Marquette about 100 Upper Peninsula citizens peacefully demonstrated their concerns for democracy, immigrants, workers, voting freedoms, peace around the world, and more -- one group rallying in front of the U.S. Post Office and another marching through part of downtown dressed in black. Both groups displayed a variety of signs.

On Sept. 20, 2025, Citizens for Peace and Justice hold a peaceful rally in front of the US Post Office in Marquette, MI. Concerned citizens of the Upper Peninsula display signs on democracy, voting rights, unions, peace in Gaza and Ukraine, and more. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Kathy Manville of McMillan, Mich., (near Newberry, Mich.) said she came 100 miles to Marquette to join the demonstration in front of the Post Office with her daughter, Jo Arthur of Marquette.

"This is my 11th rally since April," Manville told Keweenaw Now. "We want to keep the country we have -- no kings, no fascists."

Kathy Manville, right, of McMillan, Mich., traveled to Marquette and joined her daughter, Jo Arthur, left, of Marquette, at the Sept. 20 rally. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Local residents Becky and Martha displayed signs calling attention to several of their concerns while playing a recording of the song "Stand Up for Your Rights," sung by Bob Marley.

During the September 20, 2025, rally in front of the Marquette Post Office, Becky and Martha, residents of Marquette, display their signs encouraging the public to stand up for their rights and to support journalism, unions, truth, due process and more. Organized by Citizens for Peace and Justice, the rally is held every Saturday. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Patti and Cindy of Marquette also displayed their signs during the rally in front of the Post Office.

Two Marquette friends, Patti and Cindy, attract attention with their signs during the rally. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Jane Taylor and her sister, Sara Wiedenhoefer, both of Skandia, Mich., attended the rally together. Taylor displayed her signs, "Peace for Gaza and Ukraine NOW!!" and "Love Never Fails," while Wiedenhoefer collected signatures on three important petitions for ballot initiatives in Michigan: Ranked Choice Voting, Invest in MI Kids, and Michiganders for Money Out of Politics.

Jane Taylor of Skandia displays her signs during the Sept. 20 rally in front of the Marquette Post Office. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Sara Wiedenhoefer of Skandia, chatting with Kyouhee Choi and Alex Berger of Marquette, explains the three statewide petitions for proposals to go on the Michigan 2026 Ballot.

The Lake Superior Region Indivisible (LSRI) group sponsored a Safety Team of volunteers trained in de-escalation. Barb Coleman, coordinator of the Safety Team, told Keweenaw Now the team members are charged with keeping the demonstrations peaceful. They are present but do not participate in the rally or march.

"We tell everyone not to engage with counter protesters," Coleman said.

About 40 people participated in the rally in front of the Post Office in Marquette on Sept. 20.

At the same time, a group of about 60 people, dressed in black and carrying signs under the theme "Signs of Fascism," participated in a walking demonstration through part of downtown Marquette. This event was organized by Lake Superior Region Indivisible (LSRI) and Yoopers Unite.

On Sept. 20, 2025, concerned citizens complete a walking demonstration, "Signs of Fascism," along Washington Street in downtown Marquette, Mich. Dressed in black, some wearing masks, they display signs against fascism, ICE raids on immigrants, illegally detaining people, oppression of LBGTQ communities and more. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Judy Kitchen of Marquette, one of the organizers of this walking demonstration, said the idea for it came from Faith Veley, who saw a similar walk on social media. LSRI decided it would be a good idea for Marquette.

"Whatever we do it must be peaceful," Kitchen told Keweenaw Now. "Our Safety Team members keep the event peaceful." 

Gene and Carla Champagne of Big Bay pause for a photo as the "Signs of Fascism" demonstration comes to an end near the US Post Office in 
Marquette on Sept. 20.

Judy Kitchen added, "Many of us participate in all three groups' activities." 

Many more photos of the "Signs of Fascism" demonstration are available on the LSRI Web site.

See also Sarah Green's Citizens Rally for Accountable Government (CRAG) September 23 newsletter and the CRAG Calendar of events for the week of Sept. 24 to Sept. 30, 2025.  

UPDATED: Citizens march against funding for Copperwood Mine

From: Protect the Porkies
Published Sept. 12, 2025
Reprinted with permission

200 Michigan residents gather at the Michigan Capitol on September 10, 2025, to urge lawmakers to deny a $50 million earmark to advance the proposed Copperwood Mine near Porcupine Mountains State Park (the Porkies) and Lake Superior. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies)

LANSING, Mich. -- Around 200 Michigan residents marched around the Michigan Capitol building Wednesday afternoon, September 10, to protest the proposed $50 million earmark for infrastructure to advance the Copperwood Mine, a Canadian company’s plan to mine copper sulfide next to and underneath Porcupine Mountains State Park and store the waste upstream from Lake Superior.

"We Michiganders steward over 20 percent of the world's fresh water, and it is our responsibility to ourselves and to future generations to be good stewards," said Marjorie Steele, founder and executive director of the Economic Development Responsibility Alliance of Michigan.

For Nichole Keway Biber, tribal citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians and an environmental activist, what really stood out were the amount of young participants present.

"I hope those who point to ephemeral construction jobs and just 11 years of foreign mining will realize that retaining the presence of active and invested youth is a far superior way to assure the long-term vibrancy of U.P. communities." 

Nichole Keway Biber, left, and many others display their signs for protecting the Porkies against the Copperwood Mine. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies)

Participants traveled from as far as Wakefield Township in Gogebic County (where the mine would be located), as well as from most prominent downstate cities. Their signs showed messages such as: "No taxpayer dollars for sulfide mining," "The Porkies ain’t mine, they’re OURS," and "Highland Copper can take a hike!"

Wielding the megaphone at the front of the march was Tom Grotewohl, founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign.

Tom Grotewohl, founder of the Protect the Porkies campaign, speaks to participants in the Sept. 9 march near the Capitol. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies)

"We are here to ask a simple question," he told participants. "Is it fair to ask Michiganders to pay to advance a Canadian company’s first ever mine? Right next to our favorite State Park? With waste to be stored next to Lake Superior? And copper to be shipped out of country?"

The citizens met each question with shouts of "No!"

Marchers' signs oppose funding for a copper mine near the Porkies and Lake Superior. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies)

The current $50 million earmark has been approved by the House for inclusion in the 2026 budget but not by the Senate. The request is identical in purpose to the highly controversial SOAR grant, twice halted in 2024 due to pushback from "around the state and nation," according to the office of Michigan State Senator Sarah Anthony.

But on April 26th of this year, the funding was reintroduced by Michigan 110th District Rep. Greg Markkanen as a budget earmark and rebranded as a "community infrastructure" proposal, even though the infrastructure -- power grid, cell towers, and heavy industrial roads -- would be rolled out into an area with no year-round residents and no other businesses apart from the proposed Copperwood Mine. 

The funding is opposed by the Michigan League of Women Voters, the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, and over a hundred other organizations.

"The long-term health of Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains is vastly more important than unrefined copper to be shipped out of the country with no promise of return," said Jane Fitkin, another lead organizer at Protect the Porkies and director of Citizens for a Safe and Clean Lake Superior. "We are optimistic that our lawmakers will listen to the people and not cave in to moneyed interests that represent only a select few business leaders." 

Marchers express their concerns for the waters of Lake Superior, which are threatened by the possibility of millions of tons of mining waste should nearby Copperwood Mine operate. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies)

Although copper has recently been added to the USGS’s draft list of critical minerals, this upgrade of status is only for refined copper -- copper which has passed through the smelting process -- whereas mined copper is still listed at a negative risk. This may suggest the industrial need for new refineries in the United States, but not new copper mines. 

After marching multiple times around the Capitol, chanting, "No money for the mine! Our vote is on the line!" and "Hey hey! Ho ho! Copperwood has got to go!" a large portion of participants left their signs on the lawn and entered the Capitol peacefully through the front door, with permission from security. They proceeded to climb the steps and surround the main gallery, where the chanting continued: "Whose park? Our park! Whose lake? Our lake! Whose money? OUR MONEY!"

 

Participants in the Protect the Porkies campaign against the Copperwood Mine near Lake Superior march around the Michigan Capitol building in Lansing. (Photo by Bryan Mitchell for Protect the Porkies) 

"Michiganders turned out to protect our land and water en force," Steele said. "It's an honor to stand behind them, and we look forward to seeing legislators respond to their constituents and remove the $50M funding package from the 2026 budget."

Outside on the lawn, a few "counter-protestors" were present: State Senator Ed McBroom, InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante, and two of their colleagues. Their own signs read, "Stop the whining, start the mining!"

"This is not really about mining," Grotewohl told them. "Why is it that none of your media releases or public statements make any mention of the Porcupine Mountains or Lake Superior?"

"We don’t need to," said McBroom.

"You do need to," Grotewohl rebutted. "A mine does not exist in a void."

When asked why no one from the local community had joined them in their counter protest -- nor anyone from Lansing or any other city who was not professionally invested in the mine’s advancement -- McBroom and Fittante did not have a reply. 

In the end, many of those present at the march simply believe that there must better, less divisive uses of taxpayer dollars.

"There is much work to be done cleaning up the toxic remains of previous extractive boom and bust economic gambles," Biber said. "Our lawmakers should push to fund those jobs."

The fate of the $50 million earmark will now be decided in negotiations between the House and Senate. To avoid government shutdown, the budget must be approved by October 1st.

What you can do:

Visit https://protecttheporkies.com/take-action and learn how you can contact the Governor and Michigan Legislators. Protect the Porkies offers a script you can use to urge legislators to stop the funding for Copperwood. The goal is to ensure that when the House and Senate meet in joint conference, the House agrees to DROP the $50 million request.* 

UPDATE: If you missed the Sept. 14 online Forum, "Protect the Porkies," by Tom Grotewohl, offered on Zoom by the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (KUUF), the video recording is now on their Web site. See our right-hand column or go to https://www.keweenawuu.org/sermons/forum-protect-the-porkies/. 

*Editor's Note: Even if you are a constituent of 110th District pro-Copperwood legislators McBroom and Markkanen, the above action page lists other legislators you can contact.