This week in Iowa organizing…
Another week, another major news story. President Biden announced he will not seek reelection in November. This doesn't come without questions and big emotions, and we know folks are feeling it.
The next couple weeks will likely be filled with speculation and uncertainty. Yet there are some things that remain certain:
With decades in politics, Biden was and is a public servant who did what he felt best for everyday people and the country
There will be two visions for America on the ballot this November, with ramifications for our democracy, people, and planet that will be felt long after 4 years
Regardless of who wins in November, up and down the ticket, it's up to us to take action for the people and places we love and exercise the power of democracy in our communities day-in and day-out
The power to win clean water, housing and racial justice, strong public schools and more has always been and will remain in our hands. Because people-power is how we win. Let's keep at it.
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Member spotlight
Bri Moss
Dubuque County
What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for?
"Feeling alone in Dubuque and searching for like-minded folks, my partner and I stumbled upon an advertisement for CCI’s 2016 Summer Convention. Healthcare and workers’ rights are important issues to us, and we found the people doing the vital work in Iowa at CCI. Here we are, eight years later, still active, proud members.
All the issues we work on are important, but the issue of healthcare is particularly personal to me as a low-income type one diabetic. I experience firsthand the precarious situations into which people are forced due to the shortcomings of our for-profit health insurance system.
I’m not only fighting for myself but for my loved ones, co-workers, and neighbors as well. Working at minimum-wage jobs, I witness our exploitation every single day. From blatant wage theft to all kinds of harassment, it is apparent that we can only win by coming together. Building deep relationships and harnessing our collective power inspires me to keep fighting.
Being a part of this kind of grassroots action, empowering ourselves as well as our community members, is part of why I love our CCI family and the work we do. I stay engaged because WE are the ones we’ve been waiting for. CCI has shown me the power of the people and our family continues to grow that power across the state, community by community."
Take action
July 24: Coal in Siouxland webinar
1,400+ premature deaths. High asthma rates. More lung cancer. These are just a few of the impacts of MidAmerican Energy's coal pollution in Siouxland.
That’s according to a report released by our partners at the Iowa Environmental Council. The report highlights how coal pollution impacts the community's health.
To help people understand the report and what it means for Iowans, they'll be hosting a webinar in a couple weeks to provide a summary, answer questions, and share opportunities for action. This is a free virtual event, all you need to do is RSVP!
What: Coal in Siouxland Health Impacts Webinar
When: July 24th, 12pm
Where: Virtual RSVP here!
July 25: Defeating school vouchers in Tennessee - lessons for the movement
This spring, Tennessee faced a huge uphill battle, fighting to stop a school voucher bill in a state with a Republican Governor and Republican supermajorities in their House & Senate, backed by a billionaire funded “Americans for Prosperity” advertising and door-knocking campaign.
In the face of these overwhelming odds, they organized across the state and managed to defeat this bill that would have siphoned hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars from public schools and given it to private and religious schools.
Join HEAL Together on July 25 at 6pm CDT to celebrate the important victory and learn directly from the parents, educators, students and organizers who led the campaign that won this inspiring bipartisan victory for Tennessee's schoolchildren.
July 31: Our future is Now - the progressive vision for 2025
Project 2025 makes it clear that the coming election is about a fight for our families, our freedoms, and our future.
Join U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Sulma Arias and People's Action members from across the country to discuss what we can do to meet everyday Americans’ urgent needs and rebuild the American dream for poor, working, and middle-class people.
Jayapal chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), which recently released their Progressive Proposition Agenda, a framework to expand access to health care, housing and education, protect the environment, strengthen democracy and defend fundamental rights in 2025 and beyond. Join to learn more on July 31 at 7pm CDT here!
August 1: final meeting of Barons book club
Our final Barons book club is Thursday, Aug 1 and we're excited to share that the author, Austin Frerick, will be joining us AND you have two ways to participate:
On Zoom at 6 pm
Or with a potluck at our office in Des Moines starting at 5 pm (Austin is bringing Snickers salad!)
RSVP to let us know how you'll be joining us!
Either way, you'll have the chance to chat with Austin about what you thought of Barons, hear what he's working on next, and you may even get some details that didn't make it into the book!
For this final book club, we'll discuss Ch. 7 Grocery Barons and the conclusion. Attendance at the previous meetings is not needed, and you definitely won't want to miss this one.
RSVP today to stay in the loop! Can't make it August 1? Then join our allies with Central Iowa Sierra Club on July 25 in Des Moines for an event with the author.
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!
Ensure Iowa participates in Summer EBT in 2025
Hunger and food insecurity are at crisis levels in Iowa right now, with food banks and pantries seeing record numbers. Meanwhile, Gov. Reynolds decided not to participate in the Summer EBT program in 2024.
Hundreds of thousands of low-income kids would have benefited from this program. Join our allies at the Iowa Hunger Coalition in letting Gov. Reynolds know Iowans can't afford to sit out on Summer EBT again in 2025 by adding your name here.
Starting August 26: Summit pipeline hearings
Though the Iowa Utilities Commission issued an order giving Summit Carbon Solutions a conditional permit to abuse eminent domain on phase one of Summit’s pipeline, our fight is far from over!
Summit will be holding pipeline informational meetings in the coming months for phase two of the route. The Iowa Utilities Commission (aka Iowa Utilities Board) has approved dates for the meetings from August 26- September 20. During these meetings, Summit will have a presentation and give us the opportunity to ask questions and hold their feet to the fire.
Check out the dates and locations of the meetings here, then stay tuned for ways to fight back!
Update
Corporate power on the run
Over the past year we've been working with residents in mobile home parks to address neglected infrastructure and basic maintenance, all while their lot rents continued to skyrocket. This is largely due to many parks being owned by out-of-state investment companies looking to pad their profits at residents' expense.
Recently we learned one of these companies, Impact Communities, put nearly all of their Iowa portfolio up for sale.
It's not every day that working people send a major corporation running for the hills, and that's something to celebrate. It’s hard work and takes a lot of investment – so thank you to all of you who had any part in this, large and small.
But it's not enough to just get Impact Communities out of Iowa. Now is the time to take this opportunity to create resident owned and controlled communities. We’re working with folks in Dubuque and Cedar Falls to turn what is the most exploitative housing in their respective cities into what could be the model for affordable housing in our state.
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:
Ecuador court rules pollution violates rights of a river running through capital [The Guardian]
These 12 Iowa beaches are not recommended for swimming due to high E. coli or algae [Des Moines Register]
Join our monthly call this Thursday!
We're excited to announce the expert guest speaker for our July 25 monthly Zoom: Mary Skopec!
Dr. Skopec is the Executive Director of Iowa Lakeside Laboratory, a century-old State of Iowa and Board of Regents institution designed for the "study of nature in nature."
She'll share with us:
Iowa volunteer water testing history!
For 12 years, Mary coordinated Iowa's volunteer water quality monitoring program -- IOWATER.Good water quality news!
She'll tell us more about the "hidden gem" that is Iowa Lakeside Labs - and the lake monitoring and testing they do, including a conservation project that has seen a significant drop in phosphorus in the watershed.
We hope you can join us Thursday at 5 pm! RSVP here to get the Zoom information.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
After years of controversy, state pauses CO2 pipeline construction, for now [Capitol News Illinois]
Oregon livestock farmers will soon face more oversight [Oregon Public Broadcasting]
Rural hospitals built during baby boom now face baby bust [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
How public universities hooked America on meat [Vox]
Iowa candidates must pledge to reject carbon pipeline money [Bleeding Heartland]