The primary discussion points we’re pursuing with the commissioners are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- NUMBER OF CAMERAS. Do you know how many cameras are in MC? Our research showed that in September 2025, there were 12. What is the exact number now?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- SAFETY. Is there a policy assuring only proper and legal use of the data? (See also #5 & #6 below.)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- NATIONAL NETWORK. Are the data part of a nation-wide network?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- FEDERAL ACCESS. Who has federal access? What protocols are in place to prohibit abuse and misuse? How are federal requests for information handled and gathered either in MC or about MC citizens? Are there guardrails in place to prevent MC data from being accessed by federal agencies without judicial warrant, whether or not the data is held inside or outside the county?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LOCAL ACCESS. Who has local access? What protocols and chain of command are in place as guardrails against local abuse and misuse of the data?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- FUNDING. Who pays for the cameras and how much has been paid?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- AUDITS. When do audits occur, and how many audits have occurred to date?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- COPIES. Copies of paperwork we would like to have are the following: a) a MAP, or written description, of where the cameras are; b) copies of all CONTRACTS that have been signed; c) copies of all AUDITS; d) copies of any PROTOCOLS. (These copies may answer many of the above mentioned questions.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/mountainindivisible.org\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/flock-petition-references\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
MI popup at “The (SP) Intersection” on May 8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We had about a bakers dozen come out Friday for a few hours and the response was overwhelmingly positive. Naturally there were a few detractors but their enthusiasm has definitely waned over the last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our next popup will be at the Burnsville “Intersection.” Details below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What are you up to?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What are you and your circle doing to lift up, support, inform your community and\/or to fight back against the criminal enterprise squatting on our federal government? Please share with us so we can include that in future newsletters. Sometimes knowing of the littlest things being done by your neighbors can help lighten the load someone may be carrying or give others the courage or push to do something themselves. Often, knowing you’re not the only one that cares about a particular issue is enough to move someone to act. Let us also know if you’d like your name shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upcoming events<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Postcard Posse meeting May 12th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Postcard Posse at First Baptist Burnsville, Tuesdays at 10:30 in the fellowship hall. Anyone is invited. Email vickiaderman@gmail.com with questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meet the candidates – May 14<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Meet Your Candidates for House!
JAMIE AGER – Candidate for US House District Il
SUZANNE GAVENUS – Candidate for NC House District 85
Thursday, May 14th at 5:30 PM
Spruce Pint Taproom
388 Oak Ave, Spruce Pine, NC<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis is a ticketed event. Capacity is limited, so please RSVP to the following address: https:\/\/secure.actblue.com\/donate\/agerandgavenus?refcode=fbevent<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is also a good opportunity to sign up to help out the Mitchell dems!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bi-weekly demonstrations – Next one is May 22 in Burnsville (2-4pm)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can park at the Town Center, around the square or on the south side of the “bypass” (highway). We’ll send out the primary topic Wed before the popup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gather on the north side of the highway and we’ll spread out as more people arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mountainindivisible.org\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/The20Intersection20Burnsville.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt’s getting warmer so bring water and stay hydrated. Consider bringing an umbrella or hat for shade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Map link<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
De-Flocking Yancey – June 8<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We’ve spoken to the Mitchell commissioners. Now it’s time to talk to Yancey. At the next Yancey Commissioners meeting at 6:30pm on June 8 we plan on presenting signed petitions and speaking during the citizen input period about the need for more transparency regarding the use of Flock cameras in Yancey. If you can make it out to show support for this effort, please do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our \u201cFLOCK Cameras in Yancey County\u201d petition needs all the signatures we can get. If you live in Yancey, do business in Yancey or just drive through Yancey, you may be affected by Flock recording your comings and goings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look for the petitions at local businesses around Burnsville or download the pdf (link below) and send your signature page to us. You can also print out a copy of a petition for your friends to sign, and then return. Contact: deflock@mountainindivisible.org<\/a>
Go here to see the petition and background material, including several videos that go into great detail on the problems with Flock.<\/p>\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/mountainindivisible.org\/news\/2026\/04\/23\/flock-petition-references\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meeting location: 110 Town Square, Burnsville, NC 28714 [map link<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pridefest – Pride In Every Holler – June 27<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
JUNE 27, 1PM – 6PM, 2026
PENLAND SCHOOL OF CRAFT, NORTHLIGHT BUILDING<\/p>\n\n\n\nhttps:\/\/www.mypridenc.org\/pridefest-2026<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join MY Pride for PrideFest 2026: Pride in Every Holler, a joyful, in-person celebration of LGBTQIA+ community, creativity, and belonging in the mountains of Western North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other stuff<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Palantir’s 22 point manifesto for America<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you haven’t had breakfast yet, wait until you’ve started your day before reading these links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/LateStageCapitalism\/comments\/1t6h9lf\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/LateStageCapitalism\/comments\/1t6h9lf\/comment\/okjqbqx\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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22 Points \u00b7 A Tolkien-Themed Surveillance Empire \u00b7 A Chairman Who Loved Epstein \u00b7 A Philosopher-King Blogger On Speed-Dial \u00b7 And The IBM-Nazi Template Nobody Wants To Name<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Trump\u2019s Killing Spree Isn\u2019t Stopping the Flow of Drugs Into the U.S.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/theintercept.com\/2026\/05\/04\/trump-boat-strikes-fentanyl-cocaine-drug-supply\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The Trump administration falsely claims that boat strikes target fentanyl and have halted 97 percent of cocaine shipments to the U.S. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Masked ICE agents drag detainee into Brooklyn hospital sparking pepper spray chaos<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.themirror.com\/news\/politics\/masked-ice-agents-drag-detainee-1819978<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additional details https:\/\/eyesonice.substack.com\/p\/anatomy-of-an-ice-kidnappingwyckoff<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Chaos erupted at a Brooklyn hospital on Saturday after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brought a man they had taken into custody in an apparent enforcement operation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Colorado Grandma Keeps Getting Pulled Over Because Police Cameras Cannot Tell the Difference Between a Zero and the Letter <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/colorado-grandma-keeps-getting-pulled-172923771.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A 76-year-old woman in Colorado did not expect her golden years to involve repeated run-ins with law enforcement. Yet here she is, getting pulled over again and again, not for speeding, not for running red lights, but because of a one-character error tied to a police database. That tiny typo has turned her ordinary drives into recurring traffic stops, and she has no easy way to stop it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Rebecca Solnit: On Not Meeting Nazis Halfway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/lithub.com\/rebecca-solnit-on-not-meeting-nazis-halfway\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The answer is obvious to anyone with a basic understanding of psychology; the Americans that vote for and support authoritarians like Trump are themselves authoritarians that have a deep-seated need to dominate, manipulate and control people and things.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Paying for a Choice They Can\u2019t Use: How School Vouchers Are Draining Rural Appalachia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n