This week in Iowa organizing…
In Dubuque over the weekend, I was reminded that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us and devoted their lives to making our communities, state, and society more welcoming and more democratic for all people of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
This morning a Memorial Mass was held in Dubuque for longtime member Sister Marian Klostermann, who passed earlier this month. And not far to the south of Dubuque, in Iowa City today the life of longtime member Kenn Bowen was celebrated (more on that below).
So perhaps it was appropriate that a handful of CCI staff and over a dozen members came together in Dubuque on Saturday for our second Fundamentals of Organizing training held so far this year. Our comrades and movement leaders will come and go, sometimes prematurely, but the work to confront corporate power will continue with new leaders and opportunities to build and foster vibrant communities to put people and planet first.
Our work builds off those who came before us, and we'll inevitably hand our progress to the next generation. I'm reminded of the saying that we do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
Let's keep at it,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
Rest in Power
Honoring the memory, spirit, and tenacity of Kenn Bowen
We are heartbroken to report that long-time member Kenn Bowen of Iowa City was killed in a motorcycle accident last week. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to Pat (his wife of 51 years), their three daughters (Jennifer, Amanda, Elizabeth) and their six grandkids.
If you met Kenn, you'd remember him – he never met a stranger, probably told you a joke, and was as warm and friendly as they come. He was very passionate about CCI's issues and causes. He was – without a doubt – a social justice warrior, a fearless truth-teller. Always willing to fight the good fight.
Kenn helped plan and chair numerous issue meetings, participated in countless phone banks, interviewed candidates we were considering for endorsement, and helped us do our year-end fundraisers. He served on the CCI Action Fund board of directors for six years, and was one of ten members who took an arrest at Wells Fargo Bank in May 2012. That was a turning point for us – it was the very first time we chose to participate in civil disobedience as a form of social protest.
It goes without saying, Kenn did a lot to make life better for a lot more people. He had a big heart. He meant a whole lot to the staff and members of Iowa CCI and CCI Action. We send our deepest sympathies and condolences to Pat, their daughters and grandkids. Thank you for sharing him with us.
You can read his obituary here.
At the statehouse
Ignoring the needs and wants of Iowans, inching toward adjournment
As you may have heard, last week the House voted on and passed Senate File 494, which if signed by the Governor will take away SNAP benefits and Medicaid from Iowans who actually qualify for those important safety net programs. Keep an eye on our socials, or our allies like DMARC and the Iowa Hunger Coalition for a likely press conference tomorrow at the capitol to urge the Governor not to sign this punitive and misguided legislation.
But they're still not done yet. Expect debate on book banning, something about social media, and ignoring child labor laws soon. Then maybe the Senate and House will turn toward the budget and adjourn before they cut through the bone of our safety nets, public education, and Iowa values.
Here's a line you likely read last week, or the week before, or the week before that from me - "And there's still no word from Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver on legislation 78% of Iowans support. Though some lawmakers want the public to believe House File 565 is dead, Senate leadership can resurrect a bill at any time during the session."
Yeah, there's that. But we haven't backed down from what's right for nearly 50 years, so why start now. If you're in the Des Moines area on Tuesday, April 25, consider joining other CCI members in going to the statehouse to find Majority Leader Whitver and others to remind them who they work for and what a vast majority of Iowans want. More information and RSVP here.
Take action
This Thursday: April 20 - drop by and say hi in Clear Lake!
We're excited to connect with more people in North Iowa on the issues they're facing in their communities and talking about how we can tackle those challenges together.
That's why CCI members will be tabling and talking with folks at the Clear Lake Green Expo on Thursday, April 20! Stop by the Surf Ballroom between 4-7pm to say hi, shop local, learn about energy efficiency ideas, and more!
Free and open to the public, hope to see you there!
This Friday: April 21 - art for the earth
This week we'll be joining over 1,200 organizations across the country for the Peoples’ Earth Week - Climate Justice Arts & Action!
If you're in Des Moines this Friday, consider coming over to the CCI office from 5:30-7:30 to get some food and make some art with us! Click here to sign up.
We've received climate justice poster art from 10 amazing artists, including Iowa's Moselle Singh pictured above. We'll have food and provide guidance/materials for making climate justice signs to celebrate Earth Day and uplift demands for President Biden to declare a climate emergency to end fossil fuel expansion.
April 29 - Happy Birthday Willie Nelson!
When we heard that Willie Nelson is turning 90, we thought: now that's a good excuse to get together.
Willie is not just a beloved American artist, song-writer and icon, he's played a big role in Iowa CCI's work to say Family Farms Yes!, Factory Farms No!
So...we're throwing Willie Nelson a birthday party, and you're invited!
On Saturday, April 29 we’ll:
Gather and enjoy Willie Nelson performances on a big screen
Celebrate Willie and Farm Aid’s role in the people's movement against corporate factory farms -- and for family farms and the environment.
Hear organizing stories from the mid-90s when Willie showed up time and again for CCI and the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, including an action in Clive, IA!
Enjoy a meal from Patchwork Family Farms and Gingko Goods. And, we'll have cake!
This event in Des Moines is open to the Iowa CCI community, fans of Willie Nelson, and others interested in the history of progressive, populist organizing in Iowa and the Midwest. More information and RSVP here.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Iowa Students Ask Lawmakers To Protect Kids, Not Guns [Iowa Starting Line] - co-authored by CCI member Hannah Hayes
More red tape for public assistance will worsen Iowa’s shortage of direct care workers [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Judge temporarily blocks federal water protection rule in 24 states, including Iowa [Des Moines Register]
America’s First Dark Money Ballot Line [The Lever]
Iowa’s approach to climate change is daffy [Cedar Rapids Gazette]
UnitedHealth Touts Profit Surge After Lobbyists Weaken Medicare Advantage Crackdown [Common Dreams]