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News from OWOF – September 2025

One World One Family

September 2025 Newsletter


IMPORTANT COMMUNITY DISCUSSION!

Discussion #4 – Sunday, September 21@ 3pm at the Chelsea Depot,
125 Jackson St. Chelsea, 48118.

This fourth session is titled “It’s an Emergency! The Use of Emergency Powers by the second Trump administration.”  We will read about the history of and rationale for the use of “emergency powers” by US presidents. Readings also show specifically how Donald Trump has turned emergency powers into an everyday tool of governing. Discussion will also focus on specific examples and what we can do as citizens in the face of manufactured crises.

The discussion will be facilitated by Bill Rose, Chelsea resident and Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science at Albion College.

The readings are timely and consist of articles and videos available at the One World One Family website:

Questions? Please email owofchelsea@gmail.com

 

Save the Date for Part 5 discussing Voters Rights – October 19

IMMIGRATION RIGHTS – Ongoing Action

OWOF has found the immigration rights activists in Jackson County eager for our help.  Western Washtenaw County combines with Jackson County in State House District 46 and we have many good reasons to get to know each other.

In August, OWOF members Christa Williams and Renee Heberle attended a meeting of the Jackson County for Immigrants Coalition/Coalición de inmigrantes del Condado de Jackson (or JC4IC). JC4IC is a coalition of community members – both immigrants and allies -formed in January 2025 out of concern for impacts that the policies of the incoming administration have on their community and its members.  To date, they have (or are):

  • developed a biliingual 24/7 rapid response line
  • distributing “know your rights” information
  • providing know your rights workshops for immigrants and allies
  • attending community events, building relationships and sharing information In terms of advocacy

They have also organized in opposition to the Jackson County’s Sheriff Department 287(g) program participation. The Jackson County Sheriff’s department was the first sheriff’s department in Michigan to participate in this program which involves state and local police in immigration enforcement activities. This type of collaboration deters immigrants  (both documented and undocumented) from contacting police to report crime, among other damaging effects.

In conjunction with the JC41C, OWOF is undertaking the following actions:

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS TRAINING – OCTOBER 10
We will be focusing on updating the business community in our area, letting employers know what rights they and their employees have if ICE shows up.  We will also review the role of individuals who witness ICE activity.  In conjunction with Chelsea Grassroots Action.
OCTOBER 10  6pm  LOCATION TBD
OCTOBER 23 – FUND-RAISING DINNER for IMMIGRANT RIGHTS EMERGENCY FUND
This event will fund the JC4IC emergency response fund.  The funds will help detained individuals and their families – seek legal help, obtain food and other critical resources that they couldn’t obtain any other way.   Details are still forming but please save the date now.  We will have good food for dine-in or take out, entertainment and a raffle.
OCTOBER 23  5-7 pm
Chelsea Depot – 125 Jackson Street

Equality Chelsea has been very active in the community and OWOF supports their work wholeheartedly. Most recently Equality Chelsea asked OWOF to sign onto a letter directed to Michigan Medicine stating their opposition to Michigan Medicine’s recent decision to stop gender-affirming care for youth. The OWOF Board agreed to join as a signer to their letter. Email us for the full text.


Housing is a major human rights concern. Chelsea has several new projects in process that will increase housing diversity in our community. Creating housing opportunities is more possible now than ever before, and also more complicated. We will have longer articles on what we need to know in coming newsletters.  For now, please plan to attend one or all of events below to show support and to learn.

An essential factor in successful housing projects is understanding the complicated financing process.  It involves multiple entities across federal, state, and local government.  This will be a chance to learn about it from the experts.

Council Chambers, Thursday, Sept 25  6.30-8.30


OCTOBER 8 –  Regional meeting to focus on housing

Join the Chelsea Area Housing Commission, combined with the Western Washtenaw Regional Advisory Group (both area government bodies), to talk about regional housing solutions.  Challenges don’t exist in isolation, neither do solutions. Working with our neighbors regarding transportation, utilities, land use, zoning all matter. Come learn and participate in your community.
7pm – Chelsea City Council Chambers (in the police station)


OUR MISSION is more important than ever
One World One Family is committed to justice and equity for all*. We work to be anti-racist and to oppose discrimination in any form. We engage and empower people to have an impact and change systems to ensure everyone can participate fully in a diverse society.
* all / “ahl” / Noun 1.The whole human family, regardless of actual or perceived age, color, disability, familial status, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, height, disability status, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, source of income, veteran status, or weight. Are you represented?

Final discussion - no need to have participated in the first two. Join us!

It's Indigenous Peoples Day! To learn more, check out this link: https://americanindian.si.edu/nk360/informational/columbus-day-myths #IndigenousPeoplesDay

EQUALITY CHELSEA is observing Transgender Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, November 20th at 6:00 pm on the north lawn at St. Paul United Church of Christ (14600 Old 12). We are invited to this solemn, yet inspired time of vigil. This brief, but meaningful vigil will be led by Rev. Eric Stricklin and Joanna Whaley.

TIME TO CONNECT AND REFLECT!! Saturday, Nov 30. 9-11am. Room 115 WSEC Let's get together over coffee and bagels before the holiday season starts in earnest. We need to pick up the pieces from the election and see where we are - individually and as a caring social justice organization. Let's start the conversation and help each other. Eventually, we'll want to get to some sort of action so we'll see what develops. Coffee, tea and bagels provided!

A fun event with some history sprinkled in!

Our latest newsletter has all the MLKJr. Day activities! Sign up for our monthly email to learn what's happening in the social justice community in our area.

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