BACP-BLUE September 8, 2025, Meeting Minutes

1. Report on the Brainerd Lakes Area Indivisible Labor Day Rally. Between 300 and 350 attendees. Larry and Gayle handed out 200 flyers for the Camp Ripley event on September 14th. Larry connected with Hallie, one of the organizers and she stated she would post out events on their web page and would be willing to collaborate with us on issues of mutual interest.

2. Report on the BACP/BLUE Gaza peace vigil held on Saturday September 6th at the Hwy 210-371
intersection. Six persons attended.

3. Update on BACP/BLUE's participation in the Brainerd Lakes Area Pride festival to be held on Saturday, September 13th. Dean will bring table, canopy and literature. Larry and Gayle will be there from 10-12, Richard and Judy from 12-2 p.m. and Doug from 2 to 4. 

4. Update on the BACP/BLUE protest scheduled at the Camp Ripley "Community Day" on Sunday, September 14th from 10:00-2:00. With local attendance and people from the twin cities area, we hope for 75 attendees. Larry and Gayle will bring the float and many signs. We are protesting the war in Gaza, US threats on Venezuela, the trillion dollar military budget and the camps attempts to influence the children in our area to revere war and war machines.  

5. Update on BACP/BLUE's participation in the national "Sun Day" event on September 21st
Go to: https://thirdact.org/donate/sun-day/ to support the event
Gayle reported that, per google search, there are no solar companies in Brainerd/Baxter. A message was left with RREAL (who are called something else now) but no response. BACP/BLUE will hold a vigil in support of renewable energy on Sunday, September 21st at 11:00 am. Vigil will be at 6th and Broadway.

6. Discuss the BACP/BLUE Saturday, October 4 th monthly Gaza peace vigil. Vigil will be same time but moved to 6th and Broadway with BDS presentation before hand at UCC. Presentation will be from 11:00 am - 12:45 pm.

7. Discuss the venue for the BACP/BLUE Monday, October 6 th monthly meeting. Time will stay at 7 p.m. but moved to UCC upstairs library.

8. Discuss BACP/BLUE support for Indivisible's national "No Kings II" rally on Saturday, October 18th in Brainerd. Positive and members will try to attend. 

9. Update on BACP/BLUE's showing of the Greenpeace film "GASLIT" when it becomes available this fall. Film is not yet available but attendees were still in favor of showing the film.

10. Discuss/identify other potential upcoming opportunities for BACP/BLUE action.
Highway cleanup was scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday,October 11th with a rain day of Saturday, October 25th.
Trish encouraged signing of petitions and attending protest at the Kitchigami  regional office in Pine River before the board meeting. There have been grave issues with abusive personnel at the regional center. 
Lakes Area Justice Table is starting a Creation Care Action Team led by one of our members, Barb Cromwell. Follow link to the webb page. Lakes Area Justice Table - Creation Care

11. Treasures report. $935.02 with no outstanding debt.