Quick recap
The meeting focused on two major topics: voting rights and nuclear power. The discussion began with concerns about ICE’s presence at polling places and the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration. The group then explored the dangers of reopening aging nuclear power plants, particularly Palisades in Michigan, where Holtec International faces significant challenges in meeting safety standards and documentation requirements. The conversation highlighted how both Democratic and Republican leaders are supporting nuclear power despite its cost and safety issues, with Trump personally taking control of nuclear regulations. The conversation ended with concerns about California’s Democratic Party platform, which removed environmental protections and nuclear power restrictions, and the need for a renewed focus on solar and wind energy over nuclear power.
Next steps
- Hedy Tripp: Persuade Minneapolis training organizers to consider putting their in-person ICE resistance training sessions on the internet (e.g., Zoom, Instagram) for broader access, as requested by Sunny.
- Andrea Miller: Share the link to the Virginia redistricting presentation in the chat and host the presentation on Thursday night as announced.
- Ellen Slavick: Put the link to the “Atomic Dragons by Swans” art exhibition at Pitzer College in the chat (confirmed done during meeting).
- Vina Colley: Connect with Ellen Slavick (and her husband) regarding radiation exposure assessment work and share relevant links or information as requested.
- Dorothy Reik and Susie Shannon: Reach out to the new Environmental Caucus chair (Sam) to educate him on the facts about nuclear energy and work to reintroduce anti-nuclear language into the California Democratic Party platform.
- Roger Rapoport, Susan Shapiro, Karl Grossman, and Sunny: Collaborate on writing and publicizing the findings about Holtec/Palisades and the lack of documentation, targeting both public education and the financial/investor community.
- Team: Organize and promote participation in the No King’s Day march (March 28th) and link nuclear safety concerns to Donald Trump’s role in nuclear regulation for public education.
- Team: Attempt to contact Joe Rogan (and/or Stuart Brand) to engage in public discussion/debate on nuclear issues, as suggested by David Saltman.
- Vina Colley: Work with Veterans for Peace, Chris Busby, and Paul Mobley to develop and share materials calculating radiation exposure for affected communities.
- Team: Revisit and discuss Don Mosier’s research on low-dose radiation and breast cancer in a future meeting, as suggested by Myla.
- Karl Grossman: Publish and distribute the article on New York’s nuclear push and the climate change misinformation to national outlets after Long Island distribution.
- Team: Focus public education efforts on the true emissions and climate impact of nuclear energy, as highlighted by Susan Shapiro and Karl Grossman.
Summary
Team Meeting and Event Planning
The meeting began with greetings and technical adjustments, including addressing audio issues for Myla. Gree-Gree and Harvey discussed editing a video, which caused some frustration. The group briefly touched on current events, such as the Texas gubernatorial race and a power outage at a nuclear plant in Delaware. Hedy shared her experience attending a conference in Southern California. As the conversation ended, participants prepared for an upcoming event, with Sunny and others discussing logistics and welcoming attendees.
Election and Nuclear Power Concerns
The meeting focused on two main topics: election protection and nuclear power issues. The group discussed concerns about ICE presence at polling stations in 2026 and Trump’s efforts to eliminate voting by mail. They also addressed the situation in Minneapolis, where Hedy Tripp reported on weekly rallies and a planned week-long training session for resistance activities. The second hour of the meeting will cover nuclear power issues, including the restart of the reactor at Three Mile Island and the Palisades nuclear plant situation.
Vote-by-Mail and ICE Election Impact
Melissa Bird, a candidate for Congress in Oregon’s 4th Congressional District, discussed concerns about vote-by-mail processes and the potential impact of ICE presence on elections. She emphasized the importance of early voting and ensuring ballots are sent directly to county election offices due to changes in postal rules and the presence of ICE in Oregon. Andrea Miller, an expert on voting in the Southeast, expressed concerns about the reliability of vote-by-mail systems and recommended in-person early voting where possible. Melissa also announced endorsements from Progressive Victory and the Working Families Party of Oregon, adding to her growing support.
SAVE Act Senate Passage Uncertainty
Andrea discussed the passage of the SAVE Act in the House and its challenges in the Senate, highlighting concerns about proof of citizenship requirements for voter registration, which disproportionately affect women, rural residents, and people in poverty. Melissa emphasized the bill’s impact on marginalized communities and criticized it as an overreach of federal authority in managing elections. Sunny inquired about the likelihood of the bill passing the Senate, and Andrea noted the uncertainty but expressed skepticism about Democrats supporting it, given potential legal challenges and opposition from both Democratic and Republican states.
ICE’s Impact on Voting Rights
The meeting focused on discussions about ICE’s presence in various states and its potential impact on voting rights. Participants expressed concerns about ICE’s role in communities, particularly in low-income and minority areas, and discussed legislative efforts to restrict ICE activities. The group also touched on recent FBI raids on voting centers in Georgia and the need for stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect voting rights. Paul Johnson raised concerns about government subsidies for AI farms, and the conversation ended with a brief discussion about voting issues in California and the need for effective pushback against voter suppression efforts.
Election Integrity and Voting Rights
The group discussed voting rights and election integrity, with Lynn Feinerman sharing progress in Marin County where the county executive has removed ICE cooperation funding from the budget. Susie Shannon emphasized that once voters are prevented from casting their ballot on Election Day, there is no remedy for individual voters, while Paul Newman highlighted the need to address private prisons and their role in the criminal justice system. The conversation ended with Andrea Miller announcing her upcoming discussion on Virginia redistricting and warning about new election legislation that would require proof of citizenship and residence for voting.
Voter Rights and Energy Concerns
The group discussed voter suppression efforts and the importance of protecting and turning out the vote in upcoming elections. They highlighted the need for on-the-ground solutions to combat voter intimidation and the challenges faced by certain demographics in accessing polling places. The conversation then shifted to energy issues, including the transition to sodium-based batteries and the dangers of Donald Trump’s regulation of nuclear power plants. The conversation ended with a brief mention of an upcoming art exhibit at Pitzer College.
Palisades Nuclear Plant Restart Challenges
The meeting focused on the challenges and risks associated with the Palisades nuclear plant in Michigan, which has been shut down due to safety and economic issues. Roger Rapoport explained that Holtec International, the plant’s owner, has faced significant delays and financial challenges in attempting to restart the plant, with estimated costs of up to $1.25 billion for repairs and further delays of up to five years. The discussion highlighted broader concerns about the nuclear industry, including the lack of economic rationale for nuclear power compared to renewables, the safety risks associated with nuclear plants, and the influence of political leaders and the energy industry in promoting nuclear energy despite these challenges. The group also discussed similar issues at other nuclear plants, such as Indian Point in New York, and emphasized the need for independent regulation and transparency in the nuclear industry.
Exploring Solar vs Nuclear Energy
The group discussed nuclear power policies, with Susie Shannon explaining that the California Democratic Party’s platform was weakened by removing protections for underserved communities and environmental measures, including nuclear energy safety provisions. They explored the possibility of shifting focus to solar energy as a more viable alternative to nuclear power, noting that solar technology has become significantly more cost-effective than nuclear. Ellen Slavick shared information about her husband’s work on a UN radiation study that concluded there is no safe threshold for nuclear exposure, and mentioned an upcoming art exhibition at Pitzer College featuring work by seven women artists related to nuclear issues.
Nuclear Safety and Regulatory Concerns
The group discussed concerns about nuclear power plants, including inadequate record-keeping, missing welding documents, and the risks of accidents. They highlighted the need to address these issues, with David suggesting buying shares in companies like Holtec to influence decisions. The conversation also touched on the lack of regulation under Trump’s administration and the potential for accidents, with Karl noting that extending the life of old plants is “asking for a catastrophe.” The group agreed that they are now in “25th Amendment territory” due to these risks and the need to convince policymakers to change course.
Nuclear Industry’s Public Perception
The group discussed the nuclear industry’s financial viability and public perception, with Susan Shapiro emphasizing the need to educate the public about nuclear power’s emissions and carbon footprint. They agreed to link nuclear safety to Donald Trump and planned to participate in the “No Kings, No Nukes” march on March 28th, aiming to draw 10 million people. The group also discussed attacking Joe Rogan’s promotion of nuclear power and connecting with the solar industry to highlight nuclear’s cost issues. Vina mentioned working with Veterans for Peace to calculate radiation exposure levels, and Tatanka shared information about a 50-year energy plan by big oil companies to control the world’s energy supply.