This week in Iowa organizing…
Last week I was humbled to be part of the amazing crew of Iowa CCI leaders who attended the People's Action national conference in Washington, D.C. Just over a dozen of us joined nearly 1,000 grassroots folks from Alabama to West Virginia to Nevada and more to take action for our people and planet.
There were workshops and plenaries with tons of information on local victories around housing and tenant rights, confronting the for-profit health insurance industry, organizing in rural communities to build our power and lots more.
On the third day we joined together to take direct action on some of the entities standing in our way for housing, climate and healthcare justice. Following an action-packed morning, our crew split up to meet with staff from Rep. Hinson’s office on housing and healthcare, Senate HELP and Finance committee staff on reining in health insurance companies, and senior leadership from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
We joined with members from organizations from Illinois, Ohio, and West Virginia to urge PHMSA to issue tough regulations immediately on pipelines, call for a moratorium on current construction, and to meet with everyday folks back home in our communities. The timing couldn't have been better, given that pipeline companies are rushing to build before regulations are issued.
Our crew finally made it home by way of bus since we were one of the over 9,000 flights canceled or delayed last Tuesday. There were some pockets of adverse weather, but the real reason so many people across the country were stranded and away from loved ones is airline deregulation and chronic under-staffing just to line the pockets of airline CEOs and higher-ups. It's another reminder that our collective work to put people before profits is far from done, but we never back down and never give up.
Hope you have a good holiday and maybe even an extended weekend, and please read on for ways to take action (including lots of meetings next week)!
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Rescheduled: This Thursday, July 6 - Legislative Session Debrief & Look-ahead
The 2023 legislative session was a flurry of activity and the dust is still settling. Some bills took effect upon passage, while others (like the one to kick people off Medicaid and SNAP benefits) took effect this past Saturday.
It's a lot to process. But we're not ones to sit back and let Gov. Reynolds and legislative leaders' destructive agenda for Iowa go unchecked. Our loved ones and communities deserve better, and now is the time to organize.
Join us for a 'Legislative Session Debrief & Look-ahead' meeting Thursday, July 6 @ 6:30pm.
We'll come together over Zoom to:
review key legislation that was passed, and unpack how this is part of a long-term agenda pushed by corporate power,
provide space to process what these policies could do to the people and places we love, and
discuss ways we can reach more everyday Iowans, take action locally, and harness the fight-back energy we'll need going into the next legislative session.
Register to join us on July 6 here!
Join us July 11 or July 13 (or Aug. 3) for CCI's Clean Water Fight!
At Iowa CCI, we believe clean water is a human right. And it's why we're calling for a Clean Water Fight this summer to highlight the need to crack down on factory farm polluters.
This August the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to respond to a legal rule-making petition from Iowa CCI and ally organizations demanding they enforce the Clean Water Act (CWA) for factory farms in Iowa.
CWA permits create higher standards for factory farms, track their pollution, and provide the ability to shut repeat offenders down!
Here's how you can take action in our Clean Water Fight:
Join us in Oelwein on July 11, Nevada on July 13, Decorah on July 20, or a statewide virtual meeting on August 3 to learn more about this campaign and take action
Check out our website to share your clean water story and other updates on our campaign!
They dump it, you drink it. We won't stop until they clean it up!
July 12 - take action for our climate in Sioux City
Everyone deserves clean air, clean water, and a habitable environment. Coal-burning power plants endanger those rights for all of us. Especially in the communities where they reside.
Join Iowa CCI and the Buffalo Rebellion coalition in Sioux City for an evening of community-building and climate action inspiration on Wednesday, July 12 from 5:45 - 7:45pm at Aalfs Downtown Library.
At this event we'll discuss the negative impacts of coal plants, the benefits of transitioning to clean energy, and ways to take action to reverse the climate crisis.
Here's the agenda:
5:45 - Doors Open + Dinner (by Indigenous chef Anthony Warrior, owner of Warriors Palate)
6:00 - 7:30 Program + Discussion
7:30 - 7:45 - Networking
The solutions to the climate crisis already exist. Now is the time for mass action to protect the people and places we love. We hope to see you July 12!
July 15 - Open House & Meet CCI's New Director
Have you ever wanted to see where the magic happens at Iowa CCI? Our walls tell a story, and we just had a cleaning day - so we're ready to welcome you in! It's also a great chance to meet and celebrate our new Executive Director Lisa Whelan.
The staff and board could not be more excited about Lisa’s ability, commitment, and love for Iowa CCI. She's an organizer in her heart and soul. Come to our open house to meet Lisa and check out our power place! We'd love to see you!
Date: Saturday, July 15
Time: 9:30 - 11:30am - Open house style, with a short program
Place: Iowa CCI office, 2001 Forest Avenue, Des Moines, 50311
What to expect: Coffee & pastries (including handmade specialty Lao coffee and tea drinks from a board member!), conversation with Lisa, tour the headquarters, and socialize with CCI folks.
This event is for CCI members, the community, and anyone interested in building progressive, people-fueled power in Iowa.
Your RSVP helps us plan for the day. Thank you!
Updates
Still time to be Proud and get a sticker!
Are you PROUDly for People & Planet? Do you believe everyone deserves healthcare, clean water, safety, education, and the freedom to be themselves? Do you want elected officials who protect our rights and our planet?
If so, we want to send you a sticker!
At CCI Action, we think we need to be louder and prouder in this moment - but more importantly, we need organizing that builds power in our communities.
Our limited-edition PRIDE sticker is a great way to show people that you care about LGBTQ Iowans and about creating an Iowa that truly puts people and planet first.
Just fill out this form - and we'll mail one to you!
To show even more support, through this Thursday, July 6 (deadline extended!) you can use the same form to split a donation between CCI Action and One Iowa Action, Iowa's largest LGBTQ advocacy group.
Either way - get your sticker today and show your pride (like CCI Membership staffer Amanda Gran above)!
Are you a book club person?
We have two great books by Iowa author's we want to read as part of our summer Clean Water Fight. We're looking for 3-5 volunteers to work with our membership team to help think through and plan what a summer and fall book club could look like for CCI. Is that you? If so, please email katie@iowacci.org and we'll be in touch!
Save the Date!
August 19 - CCI Action's Summer Membership Meeting
On August 19 you'll want to be in the Des Moines metro to reconnect with friends and meet other CCI Action members from across the state for a day of information, inspiration, and action.
And we're excited to begin announcing featured speakers for the day!
Sarah Trone-Garriott, a faith leader, high-profile State Senator and progressive champion at the Iowa Statehouse
Sylvia Secchi, a well-known University of Iowa professor, fearless truth-teller and ally on clean water and CO2 pipeline issues
Lori Young, a long-time grassroots leader on racial justice and police accountability issues
Jon Green, a Johnson County Supervisor working to put people before profits and communities before corporations
At this day-long meeting, we'll hear updates about our top-tier issue organizing campaigns, educate ourselves on some Iowa history and deepen connections with key allies in our fight for justice, and enjoy some good, local food! Full program and speaker lineup coming in the coming weeks.
Register today to save your spot!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Researcher warns of health risks related to concentrated livestock production [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Des Moines UPS Workers Prepare to Strike [Iowa Starting Line]
Government reorganization, school book bans: 10 new Iowa laws taking effect July 1 [Des Moines Register]
Right-Wing Supreme Court OKs Bigotry Against Gay Couples Seeking Services [Common Dreams]
Actually, Voter Shaming Doesn’t Work [Jacobin]