TAKE ACTION CT (TACT) June 17, 2026
Although our country is at a perilous moment, we have a great deal of power as citizens. Donald Trump is doing his best to make us think that we have no control over him, that we should just bend the knee in advance and give up. But we aren’t going to do that. We are not going to slide into dictatorship.
Joyce Vance, Civil Discourse, "Autocracy, Democracy and Kleptocracy" June 14th, 2026
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The Inside Scoop
Thank you to the great speakers at the TACT forum on The Inside Scoop on the State of the Press: Meeting the Moment in this New Age of Information and Misinformation. More than 60 people turned out to hear our panel: Susan Campbell, independent journalist; Bruce Putterman, publisher of the CT Mirror, Attorney Mitchell Pearlman, Freedom of Information expert; and Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Reporter, CT Insider who served as moderator.
One of the pillars of democracy is a free and independent press. As such, support for independent media is essential. We very much appreciate all the great work and investigative reporting by the CT Mirror and urge people to support them with readership and donations.
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Races across the State are Heating Up
Primary Election Takes Place August 3 to 9
Voting Day August 11
At least three races near you have more than one candidate and will have a primary. These include:
· Governor’s Race Between Governor Ned Lamont and State Rep. Josh Elliot
· Congressional Race in CT-1 between Congressman John Larson, former Hartford mayor Luke Bronin, State Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, and Hartford school board member Ruth Fortune
· State Rep in the 31st district between Councilman Anthony DiLizia and Democratic nominee and soccer coach Moise Carelus
You must be a registered Democrat and live in the district to vote in these primaries. (Everyone can vote in the Governor’s race.)
It’s a good time to study the issues and make your voice heard.
NOTE: July is Meet the Candidate Month. TACT has invited candidates in these three primaries to stop by at our Saturday morning rallies. Stay tuned for more information.
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Weekly Rallies, Bridge Brigades & Protests
Feel free to join other towns, too!
(Portland is a small group and always welcomes others!)
Thursdays: Portland / East Hampton Rally | 7:30 – 8:30 AM
Location: Intersection of Main Street & Route 66, Portland
Thursdays: Hartford Visibility Brigade (Overpass) 8:00 – 9:30 AM
Location: 370 Market Street, Hartford (behind Candlewood Inn). Carpooling is suggested.
Fridays: Hartford Visibility Brigade (Overpass) | 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Location: 370 Market Street, Hartford (behind Candlewood Inn). Carpooling is suggested.
Saturdays: Glastonbury Rally 10:00-11:00
Location: Main & Hebron (near Daybreak Coffee)
Bring your signs or borrow a sign from our collection
July is Meet the Candidate Month. Several candidates involved in primary elections will stop by at our morning rally. Let’s learn all we can about these candidates. More information to follow.
Mondays: Manchester Rally | 3:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Main & Center Streets, Manchester
(Parking: Center Memorial Park or First Congregational Church lot)
East Hampton Saturday Rally
Rally in East Hampton Saturdays 3-5 pm. Please come out and support this action.
· Location: Corners of Main Street and Route 66 at Liberty Bank. Park at the Stop and Shop.
· Contact: Paige Quinn paigequinn4democracy@gmail.com
Middletown
NEW! Tuesdays: Middletown Visibility Brigade (Overpass) 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Location: Roberts St Overpass (parking at the Eastern Drive/Roberts St intersection at the CVH visitors’ lot.
NEW! Wednesdays: De-ICE Citizens Bank protest 9:00 -10:00 AM
Location: 834 Washington St. in Middletown.
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STAY CALM & WRITE ON: Postcard Update
Thank you all VERY much for your tremendous support writing postcards to voters. If you've been keeping track of how many postcards you've written, please let us know so we can acknowledge postcard milestones. Postcards and addresses are available to write in support of midterms to NC voters. You may return your completed, stamped OH postcards at your convenience. For information and details please contact Diana at woodswalker62@proton.me
Postcards to Swing States
We’re writing to voters in swing states to encourage them to vote in the midterms. Postcards are provided free of charge and are available in packets of 25,50 and 100. The mailing date is in October and we hope to complete 10,000 by then. Contact Diana at woodswalker62@proton.me We’ll schedule another postcard party after July 4.
REMEMBER: STAMP PRICES RISE JULY 12th
Stock up on your forever postcard stamps now as prices will increase from $.61 to $.65 on July 12th. and Forever stamps can be used "forever."
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You Should Know
· Trump's name was removed from the Kennedy center. Nearly 3 million people watched MS NOW livestream as workers took down his name. (The Briefing, MS NOW, 6/13/26)
· A federal judge ordered the administration to restore sites changed under an order calling for the nation's museums, parks and landmarks to not display elements that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living." The judge wrote, "History cannot be faithfully told while excluding the experiences of communities whose contributions, struggles, and achievements form an important part of our Nation's story." (NPR, 6/13/26)
· Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that the "Anti-Weaponization Fund" will remain blocked until further notice. The government has a week to come up with a declaration from Acting AG Blanche and Treasury Secretary Bessent stating under penalty of perjury that the fund is really dead. (AP, 6/12/26)
· Chief Judge Melanie L. Cradle of the Appellate Court was nominated Monday by Gov. Lamont to the state Supreme Court, positioning her to become the first Black woman to serve on Connecticut's highest court. (CT Mirror, 6/15/26)
· Check out the whole article from Climate Action Now for great new about animal populations rebounding and growing clean energy initiatives as humans continue to learn that if you let Nature Be Nature, it’s good for everyone and everything.
· Trump Says He ‘Loves the Inflation’ as it Surges Past 4%
Inflation reached 4.2% in May, a three-year high driven largely by energy costs from the Iran war, which has now entered its fourth month
Trump, when asked if he was concerned about the spike, said “I love the inflation,” citing U.S. seizure of Iranian oil as justification
Diesel and grocery prices also rose sharply, with clothing costs up 4.2% year-over-year amid continued tariff pass-through
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Good Things are Happening
Extra! Extra!
Chop Wood Good Things Are Happening!
Jess Craven
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