Protect Your Rights
Your voice matters. This page is your hub for understanding what is at stake and how to take action.
Whether it's reproductive freedom, voting access, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental justice, or healthcare equity, we’ve broken down the biggest issues impacting Michigan residents and provided ready-to-use tools to help you speak up. Each section includes background info, resources, and letter or email templates you can send directly to lawmakers.
Fresh Additions to the Fight
Here you’ll always find our most up-to-date and relevant letter templates ready to download and print. We review this section monthly to make sure the letters remain timely and effective, and we’ll keep adding new templates as urgent issues come up.
If you don’t see a letter here that fits the issue you want to speak out on, scroll down to the Archive at the bottom of this page. The archive contains older templates that still cover important topics, though they may not be top priorities for local issues in Southeast Michigan right now.
Join Indivisible Fighting 9
Empowerment Collective is proud to partner with Indivisible Fighting 9, part of the nationwide Indivisible movement working to resist authoritarianism and fight for progressive change. Our team is organizing here in Southeast Michigan to keep our community informed, engaged, and ready to take action.
Fighting 9 is your hub for the most up-to-date information, upcoming events, and calls to action in our district. Right now, we’re ramping up for the No Kings 2.0 protest on October 18th, but that’s just one of many opportunities to plug in. From rallies and protests to educational forums and volunteer opportunities, Fighting 9 is building people power every single week.
Click the button below to explore our Linktree, where you’ll find all of Fighting 9’s social media channels, upcoming actions, and ways to get involved. Whether you’re taking your first step into local activism or you’re a seasoned organizer, there’s a place for you in this movement.
Empowerment Collective Toolkits -
Empowerment Collective Toolkits -
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Protest Safety Tips
A checklist of what to wear, pack, and plan before attending a protest to stay safe and prepared.
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Resistance Toolkit
A collection of ideas and resources to help you organize, resist, and take action in ways that match your capacity and skills.
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Protest Slogans + Inspiration
This printable guide includes dozens of timely, powerful protest slogans, symbol meanings, and poster inspiration across social justice movements to help you create impactful and informed signs.
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Comment Defense Toolkit
A quick-response guide for pushing back against misinformation and harmful rhetoric online with clarity and confidence.
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De-escalation Toolkit
A practical resource for navigating tense moments during protests or public events while keeping yourself and others safe.
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Emotional Regulation & Mental Health Toolkit
Tips and grounding strategies to help manage stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm during activism and high-impact moments.
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Medical Self Advocacy Toolkit
Empowers individuals to speak up, ask questions, and protect their rights during medical appointments or health crises.
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Stop the Anti-Voter Petition in Michigan
A toolkit with facts, talking points, and actions to push back against the dangerous anti-voter signature drive in Michigan.
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How to Be a Better Ally
A straightforward guide for showing up with care, humility, and effectiveness in solidarity with marginalized communities.
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Silent Protest Actions
Creative ways to make your voice heard without speaking, ideal for folks who cannot or choose not to participate in loud, public demonstrations.
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Policy Glossary QRG
An easy-to-understand glossary that defines common political and policy terms used in legislation, media, and activist spaces.
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Michigan Government Toolkit
A quick-reference breakdown of how Michigan’s state government works and who to contact about the issues that matter to you.
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Tariff Impact Preparedness Checklist
A practical guide to understanding how upcoming tariffs could affect your household and what you can do to prepare.
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The SAVE Act Name Change Toolkit
Explains how the SAVE Act could disproportionately harm women, trans people, and immigrants with name mismatches on ID, and what to do about it.
The Archives:
This section is an archive of older letter templates we’ve drafted. Each one is labeled with the month it was created. Feel free to look through and use these as a starting point, but please review the content before printing or sending. If you’re unsure whether the information is still current, we recommend running it through ChatGPT to check for updates.
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Protect Michigan’s Public Libraries from Political Attacks
Protect Michigan’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
NEW 6/23: Protect Protesters from Surveillance and Federal Criminalization
NEW 6/23: Stop the Attack on Public Broadcasting
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Protect Social Security and Medicare from Cuts
Concerns Regarding the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and Its Impact on Public Programs
Support Full Implementation of Michigan’s Minimum Wage Plan
Protecting Access to SNAP for Michigan Families
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Concerns About Education Cuts in Proposed Budget
Teach MI History Bills (SB 1145–1147)
Protect Inclusive Education and Defend the Right to Learn in Michigan
Defend Educational Equity and Restore Commitments to Native Students
Restore Federal Education Relief for Michigan Schools
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Opposing the Rollback of Clean Energy Incentives in the Federal Budget Bill
Support HB 4299 to Restore Local Control Over Plastic Regulation
Address Michigan’s Environmental Justice Crisis
NEW 6/23: Reinstate Climate Protections and Restore Biden-Era Standards
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End U.S. Complicity in Civilian Harm and Call for Immediate Ceasefire in Gaza
NEW 6/21: Urgent: Demand Congressional Oversight and De-escalation
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Defend the Courts and Stop the Authoritarian Power Grab
Stop Project 2025 from Dismantling Democracy
Oppose Judicial Restrictions in the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R.1)
Protect the Right to Protest and Defend Michigan Students from Retaliation
Protect Free Speech and Student Activism on Campus
Earn Our Vote by Committing to Community Priorities
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Opposing the Deregulation of Firearm Silencers in the Federal Budget Bill
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Opposition to Medicaid Work Requirements in Budget Proposal (healthcare worker)
Opposition to Medicaid Work Requirements in Budget Proposal (recipient)
Protect Medicaid Access for Disabled Michiganders
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Oppose the Remittance Tax in the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R.1)
NEW 6/9: End Local Collaboration with ICE and Protect Community Trust
NEW 6/9: Investigate Unlawful ICE Raids and Enforce Oversight
NEW 6/9: Defend and Expand Sanctuary Policies in Our Community
NEW 6/9: End 287(g) Agreements and Jail Transfers to ICE
NEW 6/11: Disappointed in Your Vote on H.Res.488
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Oppose Rollbacks to Title IX and Protect LGBTQIA+ Students
Reject Laws Targeting Drag and LGBTQ+ Expression
Opposing the Ban on Medicaid Coverage for Gender-Affirming Care
Protect Transgender Rights and Access to Healthcare
Defend LGBTQ+ Rights and Marriage Equality
NEW 6/23: Defend the Separation of Church and State
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Defend Abortion Travel and Medication Access
Protect Reproductive Health Access in Michigan
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Oppose Expanding Facial Recognition and Protest Surveillance
Oppose the AI Regulation Moratorium in the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R.1)
NEW 6/23: Oppose Palantir-Facilitated Federal Surveillance Database
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Please Oppose the SAVE Act and Protect Voting Access
Support the Michigan Voting Rights Act
Strengthen Ballot Access Before 2026
Oppose the “Americans for Citizen Voting” Petition Effort
Take Action: Sign and Share Verified Petitions
We’ve gathered more than 20 live, verified petitions from organizations like the ACLU, Women’s March, and more. Explore by topic: from reproductive rights to surveillance, voting, education, and immigrant justice, and take action with a single click.
Raise Your Voice with Impact: A Guide to Contacting Your Reps (MI)
A guide to who represents you in Michigan, what they do, and how to contact them effectively.
