This week in Iowa organizing…
Well, last week was a whirlwind of decisions by both the Iowa Supreme Court and US Supreme Court. Ramifications from those decisions will be felt in the coming days and probably years to come.
Last week also saw the not surprising decision from Gov. Reynolds' Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to grant Summit Carbon Solutions a permit for their CO2 pipeline. However, construction is dependent on Summit obtaining approval from North and South Dakota.
Despite opposition from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike, the Reynolds/Rastetter administration (come on, we know who's calling the shots) continues to plow forward with their "corporations and polluters first" agenda for Iowa. Here's just a snippet of what members like you said following the IUB decision:
- I've become very very frustrated and tired of this administration doing what out-of-state interests desire. Gov Reynolds is operating a government for sale to the highest bidder.
- A heart-breaking and disgraceful decision. The depletion of our aquifers will plague our descendants.
- Yeah I'm pissed. They don't listen to anyone because they are the foot soldiers of this governor.
-It is a horrible decision about a horrible technology and not appropriate for eminent domain. And ongoing proof that regulators and legislators don't listen to the people.
We couldn't agree more. But this fight is far from over. Iowans see through Summit's false promises and PR games. Rastetter's project is nothing more than a cash grab paid for by taxpayers, a cash grab that puts Iowans at risk and uses enormous volumes of our precious resources.
Reynolds may not be up for reelection for another two years, but all of our state Representatives and half of the Iowa Senate is this November. In the coming months every candidate should be put on record as to whether they side with we the people or wealthy interests like Bruce Rastetter.
We'll keep at it, because the people and places we love are worth it. Please read on for upcoming events, updates, and other ways to take action over the coming weeks,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Update
Safe Drinking Water Act
Last Thursday we met on zoom with our allies at Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) to learn more about the legal petition CCI has signed on to asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take emergency action to protect Iowans drinking water. Thanks to all of you who joined us!
If you missed it – no worries! Here is the recording of the meeting. It’s loaded with great information about the legal petition IEC sent to the EPA, and we got to hear from some awesome panelists. Then add your support to this legal petition - sign, add comments to, and share this letter to the EPA!
Member spotlight
Happy 95th birthday Maggie!!
This Sunday in Des Moines several dozen folks gathered to celebrate Maggie Rawland's 95th birthday.
A longtime member of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and CCI, Maggie has been a steady and constant voice for peace, abolishing corporate personhood, and more. Maggie's mark on this world will last for a long time, and we're better off given her tireless work for social justice.
Happy birthday Maggie and sincere, big thanks for all you do to make Iowa, this country, and world a more just and democratic place for all of us!
Take action
July 3: Know Your Rights immigration webinar
Join our allies at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice along with ACLU of Iowa and the American Immigration Council for a virtual statewide training session to equip leaders, advocates and service providers with information to lead “Know Your Rights” trainings in your communities.
The session will cover topics including:
constitutional protections (for everyone, regardless of immigration status) when interacting with law enforcement and ICE,
information about Iowa laws like SF 2340 (currently not in effect) and SF 481 (Iowa’s law mandating use of ICE detainer requests), and
materials to help families/individuals and communities build safety plans and defense networks
Wednesday, July 3, from 12-1:30pm, register to attend here.
July 10: next meeting in Barons Book Club
On June 20, a total of 29 readers met for a book club over Zoom to dive deeper into CCI member Austin Frerick’s debut book Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry. Sign up to join the next one here!
This book club kicked off with a discussion about the Introduction and first chapter, The Hog Barons. A topic close to many Iowans, we talked about the ways Iowa Select and the Hansen family (aka the hog barons) have taken advantage of the land and people we love.
The next book club is July 10, where we will meet to discuss Ch. 2 Grain Barons and Ch. 6 Slaughter Barons. Attendance at the first meeting is not needed, and if this meeting is anything like the first one, you won’t want to miss it!
RSVP today to stay in the loop! You can purchase the book or find audio book details on Austin's website here.
July 13: Iowa CCI open house
Have you ever wanted to see where the magic happens at Iowa CCI? Our walls tell a story. So come on by - we're ready to welcome you in!
Join us on Saturday, July 13 from between 9:30-11:30am (w/ short program at 10:15am) at the CCI office (2001 Forest Ave in Des Moines).
The staff and board love to show off our headquarters AND we are getting jazzed about a big anniversary for the organization next year! RSVP to our open house and come check out our power place. We'd love to see you!
This event is for CCI members, the community, and anyone interested in building progressive, people-fueled power in Iowa. We'll have coffee & pastries, socializing with CCI folks, and a DIY plant swap. Your RSVP helps us plan for the day. Thank you!
July 16: CO2 pipelines & our water informational meeting
Our water is not infinite and we can't afford to let corporations like Summit extract billions of gallons of it so they can line their pockets.
Join CCI members and residents of Mitchell County on Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30pm for an informational meeting on how the proposed CO2 pipeline would impact our water and what we can do to fight back.
We'll be meeting at the Osage Public Library, more information and RSVP to join us here!
August 10 - People Power is How We Win!
August 10 - CCI Action's Summer Meeting!
Reconnect with old friends and make news ones on Saturday, August 10 in Ankeny for our annual Summer Meeting! If you’re concerned about CO2 pipelines, public education, clean water and more, this is the event for you. We’ll have fearless truth tellers, issue-based workshops, and tasty, local food!
What: “People Power is How We Win” Summer Meeting
When: Saturday, August 10, 9am – 3pm
Where: FFA Enrichment Center, DMACC campus in Ankeny
Who: CCI members, supporters, and folks from across the state ready to take action for our people and planet
Registration: $25 early bird rate until July 31 ($35 beginning Aug. 1) – register today to save your spot here!
Our keynote speaker this year will be Dr. James E. Ford. Dr. Ford is an award-winning world history teacher, community leader, and founder of the Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED) based in Charlotte, NC. He knows that attacks on our education aren’t new, but also believes in the power of people to rise up and fight for strong public education systems that prepare all students for their future and our communities.
More information, featured speakers, and RSVP here!
Water Talk
Let's talk about water! Below we have a selection of some stories that caught our eye relating to water quality and ways to take action for our water.
Articles of interest:
Environmental watchdog warns of "fecal soup" runoff as floods rage in Iowa [Salon]
Rules optional for some, mandatory for others [Bleeding Heartland]
Iowa's beaches require extensive monitoring
Thank you to everyone who joined our call last week with Noah Poppelreiter of the DNR. We appreciate you being with us to learn more about the beach monitoring program in Iowa.
Don't miss our next monthly call Thursday, July 25!
If you didn't make the Zoom, here's what you missed:
Iowa DNR Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment monitors a large number of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater locations throughout the state.
AQuIA is a public info portal for retrieving the results of water monitoring
Risk is personal so providing accurate info is critical
Bacteria is being analyzed for growth over a 5-year running method
A pilot program is in place to improve state beach signs with info in English and Spanish
Extensive flooding is hampering testing efforts and recreation, especially in NW Iowa
Our testing matters! Noah thanked us for our testing work and data collection
Iowa's water crisis is growing. The recent flooding is creating concern about what is washing into our waterways. Headlines warning of 'fecal soup' are horrifying. We need to keep building our collective power and get louder about Iowa’s polluted water.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Education savings accounts used at religious schools violate the Iowa Constitution [Des Moines Register]
Multiple lawsuits filed against the state of Iowa [KCRG]
Don't let the Supreme Court get the last word on housing justice [Common Dreams]
Conservatives making list of feds who oppose Trump [Waterloo/Cedar Falls Courier]
We just witnessed the biggest Supreme Court power grab since 1803 [The Nation]
Presidential election seen as climate turning point as CO2 hits record [Iowa Capital Dispatch]