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Art Reyes III

Nationality:

American
Occupation:

Democratic Political Activist and Organizer

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Art Reyes III is a political activist and organizer who was instrumental in Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts in Michigan in the 2020 presidential election. Time magazine identified Reyes as a key figure in the “shadow campaign” to defeat then-President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. 1

Background

Reyes was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and comes from a family of United Auto Workers union members. 2 Reyes is the founding executive director of We The People Michigan, a left-of-center advocacy and organizing group that he founded in 2017, while working as a fellow at the Roddenberry Foundation. The Roddenberry Fellowships provide $50,000 prizes to 20 left-progressive activists to support projects in civil rights advocacy, environmentalism, expansionist immigration policy, and LGBT issues. 3 Reyes developed We The People Michigan as his fellowship project. 4 He has claimed that the group was initially founded in response to 2016 revelations that water supplies in Flint, Michigan contained elevated levels of lead which had caused an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease. 5

Before founding We The People Michigan, Reyes was the training director at the Center for Popular Democracy, a liberal voter mobilization group. Reyes led national training programs for voter mobilization organizers. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. 6

In 2024, Reyes left We The People Michigan and became the Michigan Political Director for the United Auto Workers union. He transitioned to the group’s board of directors. 7

2020 Election

Reyes led Democratic get-out-the-vote efforts through We Make Michigan: Count Every Vote, a coalition of left-leaning groups that sought to extend early voting and voting-by-mail for the 2020 election. Prior to the election, Reyes urged supporters to contest alleged Republican efforts “to mislead and intim[id]ate people from voting.” 8

Months after the election, Time identified Reyes as a key figure in what it called the “shadow campaign” to “save the 2020 election,” and ensure that it would be “free and fair, credible and uncorrupted.” As part of this “shadow campaign,” Reyes called on Democratic activists to take up position in Detroit precincts during vote-counting on election night. Reyes also encouraged activists to flood the Wayne County canvassing board’s November 17 meeting to certify the election results and provide testimony on-the-record. 1

In December 2020, when then-President Donald Trump invited the Michigan House speaker and Michigan Senate majority leader to the White House, Reyes sent activists to stand at airports in Michigan and Washington, D.C. to pressure the officials. After the meeting, when the officials went out for a drink, an artist projected images of the representatives onto the side of a building with the caption “THE WORLD IS WATCHING.” 1

After the 2020 election results were certified, Reyes wrote in a series of posts that then-President Trump’s post-election challenges were “racist dog-whistle[s] attempting to disenfranchise Black folks.” He also claimed that the Count Every Vote coalition “operated as a collective” that was “the future” in politics. 9

Activities

Flint Water Crisis

In January 2016, Art Reyes III called for then-Michigan Governor Rick Snyder (R) to resign over the Flint water crisis. Reyes also attacked Snyder for placing Flint and other cities under emergency management and allowing the manager to privatize city services, including water treatment. 10

We The People Michigan

In 2020, Reyes co-wrote with Marshall Ganz a piece called “Reclaiming Civil Society” for the Stanford Social Innovation Review which advocated for more community organizing. In the piece, Reyes and Ganz claimed that “racism has often been used by economic elites as a weapon of division to hold on to political power to realize economic gain.” They claimed that this led to the creation of “antidemocratic electoral institutions” such as the Electoral College, the U.S. Senate, and “noncompetitive” first-past-the-post elections to “privilege” rural areas, white people, and “the past over the future.” They claimed that “The Republican Party transformed itself by embracing a racist, misogynistic, xenophobic reaction to the civil rights movements combined with a strident neoliberal reaction to economic challenges of the 1970s.” They claimed that former President Ronald Reagan’s election “reasserted the link of racial animus with corporate interest, which laid the groundwork for racist policies like mass incarceration.” They bragged that Reyes’s group, We The People Michigan, teamed up with an illegal immigrant-led group, Movimiento Cosecha Kalamazoo, to force Kalamazoo County to ignore Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainers and to encourage Kalamazoo City and County to sever financial ties with ICE. 11

In February 2023, Reyes told a reporter that the investor-owned utility monopoly model was not sustainable in the wake of power outages due to winter storms. 12

In March 2023, Reyes expressed his support for protecting LGBT people under Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws. 13

In March 2023, Reyes retweeted state Rep. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) who expressed her support for repealing pro-life legislation. 14

In March 2023, Reyes tweeted his support for the repeal of right-to-work legislation calling it an “anti-worker law.” 15

In March 2023, Reyes tweeted his support for Michigan Democrats passing pro-labor union and socially left-of-center legislation while they controlled both houses of the state legislature and the governorship. 16

In March 2023, Reyes tweeted at the University of Michigan on “Trans Visibility Day” demanding “accessible gender-affirming care” and a living wage for members of the graduate-student worker union. 17

In April 2023, Reyes retweeted the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition which called for “reclaiming Earth Day from corporate greenwashers” and “centering the voices of Black, Brown and Indigenous communities.” 18

In June 2023, while Reyes was on paternity leave, he tweeted his support for mandating paid leave nationwide. 19

In August 2023, Reyes tweeted his support for the first collective bargaining agreement of workers for We The People Michigan, which established the group’s union. Reyes tweeted, “all workers deserve a union.” 20

In September 2023, Reyes retweeted We The People Michigan’s support of the UAW strike against auto manufacturers. The original tweet claimed “The fight against corporate greed is all of our fight.” 21

In September 2023, U.S. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) praised Reyes for his work during Hispanic Heritage Month. 22

In September 2023, Reyes retweeted state Rep. Joey Andrews (D) who called for the repeal of preemption legislation to allow cities and counties to mandate paid parental leave and paid sick leave. 23

In October 2023, Reyes retweeted UAW president Shawn Fain who celebrated that General Motors agreed to put battery manufacturing and the workers employed in the field under the UAW’s master contract. 24

In October 2023, Reyes and We The People Michigan supported legislation to give illegal immigrants drivers’ licenses. 25

In November 2023, Reyes congratulated Detroit for becoming the largest American city to call for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 26

In December 2023, Reyes retweeted former Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro who criticized Democrats who opposed open borders and supported greater border security. 27

In December 2023, Reyes retweeted a post by anti-Israel group IfNotNow showing a march against the pro-Israel group AIPAC’s headquarters featuring members of the UAW, the American Postal Workers Union, and other unions demanding a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 28

In January 2024, Reyes retweeted a post from Local Progress that featured an open letter from local officials across the U.S. calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. 29

In January 2024, Reyes retweeted far-left “Squad” member U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and then-U.S. Representative Cori Bush’s (D-MO) statement supporting the International Criminal Court’s investigation of Israel for allegedly committing genocide in its war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. 30

In February 2024, Reyes shared a link to an op-ed published in the left-wing magazine The Nation by Marshall Ganz, whom he referred to as a dear friend and mentor, which criticized the State of Israel. 31   

In February 2024, Reyes denounced the “great replacement theory” as racist and applauded the stripping of staff and office allotment, and the removal of state Rep.  Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) from all committees by then-House Speaker Joseph Tate (D-Detroit) after Schriver posted on social media in support of the theory. 32

In his 2024 farewell letter from We The People, Reyes claimed that “corporations and the rich have taken more of the wealth we’ve created for themselves, and pitted working class people against one another by telling us there isn’t enough for everyone.” Reyes also praised the “uncommitted” movement which urged 2024 Democratic presidential primary voters to vote for “uncommitted” delegates instead of President Joe Biden to protest what it claimed was President Biden’s support for Israel’s war against the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas. He also supported efforts to impose rent control. 7

United Auto Workers

In October 2024, Reyes campaigned on behalf of then-Vice President Kamala Harris with UAW president Shawn Fain and self-proclaimed socialist U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT). 33

In November 2024, Reyes retweeted a tweet by the UAW’s Jonah Furman which suggested that left-of-center economics were not unpopular because red states approved some left-of-center economic policy in referendums. Furman suggested that Democratic politicians were not trustworthy and did not fulfill campaign promises. 34

In November 2024, Reyes retweeted a post criticizing the Democratic Party’s political consulting apparatus. The tweet claimed there was a lot of other people’s money sloshing around and claimed the political consultants were paid money whether they win or lose. 35

In December 2024, Reyes applauded the Michigan legislature’s increase of unemployment benefits from “[$]362/wk to [$]614/wk. 70% increase.” Reyes said, “This is an important step for legislators to show whose side they are on: working class Michiganders or big corporations.” 36

In December 2024, Reyes tweeted 37 an op-ed by UAW president Shawn Fain which supported raising unemployment benefits, increasing health insurance and retirement benefits for Michigan government employees, expanding family leave programs, increasing renters’ rights, banning employers from holding meetings opposing unionization, drivers’ licenses for illegal immigrants, and pro-abortion legislation. 38

In December 2024, Reyes praised the Democratic-controlled Michigan Senate for “a Herculean 29-hour session to salvage the lame duck session and get some wins for working class people.”  39

References

  1. Molly Ball. “The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election.” Time. February 4, 2021. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://time.com/5936036/secret-2020-election-campaign/
  2. “The Team.” We The People Michigan. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.wethepeoplemi.org/team
  3. Roddenberry Foundation. “The Roddenberry Foundation Launches $1 Million Fellowship Fund for US-Based Activists.” PR Newswire. June 26, 2018. Accessed March 7, 20201. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-roddenberry-foundation-launches-1-million-fellowship-fund-for-us-based-activists-300493750.html.
  4. “Art Reyes III.” Roddenberry Fellowships 2017. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://roddenberryfoundation.org/blog/fellow/art-reyes-iii/
  5. Max Larkin. “For Many, Rick Snyder Is The Man Who Poisoned Flint. Harvard Believes He Has Lessons To Teach.” WBUR. July 2, 2019. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.wbur.org/edify/2019/07/01/snyder-harvard-fellow-flint-michigan
  6. “The Team.” We The People Michigan. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.wethepeoplemi.org/team   
  7. “The Exciting Future of Our Organization.” We the People MI. Accessed January 20, 2025. https://wethepeoplemi.org/the-exciting-future-of-our-organization/.
  8. Mary Schuermann Kuhlman. “Michigan Groups Mobilize to Protect the Vote and Protect Democracy.” Detroit Metro-Times. November 3, 2020. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2020/11/03/michigan-groups-mobilize-to-protect-the-vote-and-protect-democracy
  9. Art Reyes III. “Art Reyes, Michigan Activist, Tells ‘How We Prevailed When Our Democracy Was On The Brink.’” Deadline Detroit. November 25, 2020. Accessed March 7, 2021. https://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/26748/art_reyes_michigan_activist_tells_how_we_prevailed_when_our_democracy_was_on_the_brink
  10. Reyes III, Art. “I Grew up in Flint. Here’s Why Governor Snyder Must Resign.” BillMoyers, January 27, 2016. https://billmoyers.com/story/i-grew-up-in-flint-heres-why-governor-synder-must-resign/.
  11. Ganz, Marshall, and Art Reyes III. “Reclaiming Civil Society (SSIR).” Stanford Social Innovation Review, Winter 2020. https://ssir.org/articles/entry/renewing_democracy_requires_the_creation_of_an_inclusive_collective#.
  12. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), February 27, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1630327617445347329?t=GvQtHH1heXd3AspTXd9vFg&s=19.
  13. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), March 2, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1631279480441393153?t=Kro9WzG6ZFeuzdmP5H2jfw&s=19.
  14. “Stephanie Chang.” X (formerly Twitter), March 8, 2023. https://x.com/stephanielily/status/1633524049405157376?t=TtopbG44N8WRS4j_Ig80Tg&s=19.
  15. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), March 24, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1639399269273681920?t=IsRd8xRDRgYLljv0ethXcQ&s=19.
  16.  “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), March 27, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1640364722175311873?t=TB46OHQod4aSVDRDIGY3CQ&s=19.
  17. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), March 31, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1641795167513346052?t=PAEmLUXlrY7lXBDyTXAs-g&s=19.
  18. “Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition.” X (formerly Twitter), April 17, 2023. https://x.com/weareMEJC/status/1647974268259516416?t=3tCG2pD2XE8VkVZAomcf7Q&s=19.
  19. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), June 3, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1665051990785654784?t=bsxzp4mJCOD9uc5sJqEBiQ&s=19.
  20. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), August 3, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1687184038295896064?t=60sK7gk7gErts3aD7-7FBw&s=19.
  21. “We The People Michigan Action Fund.” X (formerly Twitter), September 15, 2023. https://x.com/WeThePeople_MI/status/1702696600903045408?t=f25QiiAKIm0oIMRotHTgog&s=19.
  22. “Jocelyn Benson.” X (formerly Twitter), September 27, 2023. https://x.com/JocelynBenson/status/1707085273807659391?t=IbABUYTnB3WvTmqABdZB3Q&s=19.
  23. “Rep. Joey Andrews.” X (formerly Twitter), September 29, 2023. https://x.com/Rep_Andrews/status/1707861151277580298?t=CD9l6kexuxWk-1iMUBS62g&s=19.
  24. “Shawn Fain.” X (formerly Twitter), October 6, 2023. https://x.com/ShawnFainUAW/status/1710367710708649984?t=-njYYaopaa3T3ygbviqHIw&s=19.
  25.  “We the People Michigan Action Fund.” X (formerly Twitter), October 17, 2023. https://x.com/WeThePeople_MI/status/1714315425511612436?t=Fm5mIKiZ10nC_DvebTx74Q&s=19
  26. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), November 21, 2023. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1727074132318437560?t=oh5KIea8jmY5hdcG2rwmFA&s=19
  27. “Julian Castro.” X (formerly Twitter), December 13, 2023. https://x.com/JulianCastro/status/1735077118168461696?t=wZSonI70OaBgdqnKkLB5Fg&s=19.
  28. “IfNotNow.” X (formerly Twitter), December 21, 2023. https://x.com/IfNotNowOrg/status/1737980330756145623?t=c7SMAl21yRj0479DZ7R8qw&s=19.
  29.  “Local Progress.” X (formerly Twitter), January 5, 2024. https://x.com/LocalProgress/status/1743342084537581966?t=-poUwJUv7acwwdpWWRgRPw&s=19.
  30.  “Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.” X (formerly Twitter), January 26, 2024. https://x.com/RepRashida/status/1751001473716994306?t=pIMLigDzu3n38zO-KP_lrg&s=19.
  31. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), February 3, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1753756582142165332?t=dBpmM0cV540hwaZHUWeMUg&s=19.
  32. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), February 12, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1757211374604681671?t=vsyeRkH_bgSJdwL1Ig6fnQ&s=19.
  33. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), October 6, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1842973694286848231?t=lh1Kt6aJPtuKPNNQcj25pA&s=19.
  34. “Jonah Furman.” X (formerly Twitter), November 10, 2024. https://x.com/JonahFurman/status/1855815145554862434?t=udTUbYkOCPnOHDG7n48esA&s=19.
  35. “Betsy Coffia.” X (formerly Twitter), November 19, 2024. https://x.com/BetsyCoffia/status/1859043144471638479?t=UZ2Trgk8ift6tujUlcUdYA&s=19.
  36. “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), December 11, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1866985991913066523?t=sloixqHAbEYJ9tuBnndYpQ&s=19.
  37.  “Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), December 13, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1867595244860285299?t=M3kmuqsqOWViG2SS5lwJcw&s=19.
  38. Fain, Shawn. “UAW’s Shawn Fain to Michigan Lawmakers: Pick a Side : Opinion.” Detroit Free Press, December 13, 2024. https://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/12/13/uaw-shawn-fain-lame-duck-labor-union-working-class-legislation/76948964007/.
  39. Art Reyes III.” X (formerly Twitter), December 20, 2024. https://x.com/ArtReyesIII/status/1870202719136256394?t=U-lhn9bifQmsX1NE7O92mA&s=19.
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