LSRI and Yoopers Unite is partnering again for a major visibility event on July 4th in Marquette!
Last year, we were able to promote the message of a truly people-powered democracy to over 6,000 parade attendees, and we look forward to doing the same in 2026. The official Parade Theme for this year is “One Nation, Indivisible.”
We could use YOUR help preparing for and participating in the parade, specifically:
- Event planning
- Decorating the float
- Marching with the LSRI/YU float at 2 PM Saturday, July 4th in Marquette
On the float will be local musician Dan Truckey. Gretchen Preston will be leading chants, and acting as our MC.
Click HERE to sign up to march in the parade, and to help decorate the float.
Some thoughts about patriotism in 2026:
Some friends have lamented that they haven’t felt very patriotic the past year or so, especially as our country slides into mafia-style authoritarianism, endures a war with Iran and commits numerous war crimes supported by our tax dollars. Then there’s the unprecedented high-level corruption, pardons for MAGA cronies and insurrectionists, unrelenting assaults on our people, the environment, valuable government departments and services, our constitution, the rule of law and human decency in general (we could go on and on)…
Hey, we GET it!
While our messages during the parade will be positive and unifying in nature, we are definitely not going to wave a “my country, right or wrong” flag, or co-sign a jingoistic message based on a historically blind, white-washed and racist brand of American exceptionalism.
Instead, we’ll be celebrating the values that the overwhelming majority of Americans share, be they politically on the left, right or somewhere in between, namely:
- A level economic playing field
- Free and fair elections
- Unfettered access to the vote
- Honoring the rule of law, workers, human rights, and our Constitution
- Promoting the civil rights of all people, especially our vulnerable and under-served minorities
- Providing a well-funded social safety net
- Supporting our allies around the world
- Defending democracy
- Vigorous environmental stewardship… The list goes on and on (see other pages on this website, or go to www.indivisible.org to get a sense of what we are about).
With that in mind, we hope you decide to join us on July 4th!
