This week in Iowa organizing…
I hope you all had a good Memorial Day weekend, but also wanted to note that we're wrapping up Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month before the calendar hits June for LGBTQ Pride Month.
These months acknowledge both the contributions to our society from these populations in addition to the discrimination and marginalization they have endured in our history. And I encourage us to remember that the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II or the Stonewall riots of 1969 were not isolated incidents.
It’s easy to fear that which we don’t understand. What’s troubling is that it’s easy for people in power to stoke that fear of the unknown in order to maintain their power – at our collective expense.
As Gordie Felger writes in Iowa Capital Dispatch, senseless discrimination ruins and can take lives, and hateful attitudes can become violent acts. Fear, discrimination, and outbursts keep us from uniting with one another while power remains concentrated in the hands of a select few.
So this May and June, and every other month on the calendar, let's reject this fear and the scare tactics that keep us apart. Being uncomfortable is an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and push back against the rhetoric that pits neighbor against neighbor and keeps us from moving forward.
We'll keep working and pushing for a state that is welcoming and supportive of Iowans of all identities, backgrounds, genders, and abilities. Let's keep at it, together.
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
P.S. - our hearts go out to the individuals and families affected by the building collapse in Davenport recently. And this is yet another reminder that our lives and livelihoods should not be viewed simply as profits by corporations and the wealthy few, and those involved in this unfortunate event need to be held accountable.
Take action
Tomorrow - PHMSA coming to Des Moines
In April of 2023 the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued the second largest fine in its history to the CO2 pipeline company responsible for the disastrous rupture in Satartia, Mississippi.
That's why we're asking you to mark your calendar for Wednesday May 31 at 3pm because PHMSA is coming to Des Moines.
PHMSA is responsible for creating safety regulations for CO2 pipelines and is on the record as saying they don't know enough about this boondoggle and that they need more time to learn more.
Here's how you can take action with us:
Join us tomorrow, May 31 at 3pm in Des Moines to amplify our message to PHMSA
let jake@iowacci.org know if you can help make art for the action tonight, May 30, 5-7pm at the CCI office
We won't be guinea pigs so Summit, Navigator and Wolf can make billions of dollars on these dangerous projects. We need a moratorium on CO2 pipelines until federal safety regulations are created and we need PHMSA to use their platform to push for it.
June 8 - LGBTQ 101 Training
Fear and lack of understanding have helped fuel the aggressive anti-LGBT legislation sweeping the country, which is why CCI Action is partnering with One Iowa to bring you their LGBTQ 101 Training.
Many people find it challenging to discuss LGBTQ issues - you may be afraid of offending someone, or you may not feel you "know enough" to talk about it.
This training is designed to provide a safe place to learn and ask questions, as well as provide tools to become a better ally in the work to make Iowa welcoming and accessible to all.
Join us on June 8 at 6pm for a virtual training session where you will learn about:
LGBTQ identities and terminology
The social effects of the gender binary
Best practices for conversations with and about LGBTQ individuals
We believe that Iowans of all identities, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a place in our state where they feel safe, accepted, and supported. That's why we hope you can join us on June 8!
More information and RSVP for the online training here.
June 14 - Iowa CCI Summer Jamboree in Dubuque!
We take on tough issues impacting everyday Iowans day-in, day-out, but we also like to come together in community and celebrate. So that's what we're doing on Wednesday, June 14 in Dubuque!
Join CCI members and others for a music and spoken word fundraiser at the Smokestack in downtown Dubuque! For just $10 you can see artists from Dubuque and across Iowa. Kids 12 and under enter free!
We have Dick Hubert, Iowa Rock Hall of Famer Dartanyan Brown, spoken word poet Christine Baker, and Young Forgi. We'll also have free tarot readings, informational booths, opportunities to connect, and two sunny patios to enjoy on Smokestack's rooftop.
Let us know if you can join us by clicking here!
Family Farms Yes! Corporate Consolidation No!
For the past 15 years, National Family Farm Coalition and its member organizations (including CCI) have monitored the trend of corporations purchasing and consolidating farmland in the US and abroad.
Corporate - domestic and offshore - control of farmland undermines rural prosperity and autonomy, worsens inequities within and between rural communities, locks out new and beginning farmers, and contributes to a number of distressing environmental impacts. In all likelihood you have seen these impacts in your rural community in some form.
We believe Congress is long overdue for addressing the role of corporations in driving land consolidation in rural America. The 2023 Farm Bill is the best opportunity to take this action, and Congress does not need to start from scratch; there is a long history of state-based restrictions on corporate farmland ownership that federal policy can build on and strengthen.
Take a moment to email Senator Grassley about this today by clicking here!
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 soon.
Register today to save your spot!
Issue Updates
Elevance/Anthem BCBS - it's time to put 'Care Over Cost'
Earlier this month, CCI members paid a visit to the West Des Moines headquarters of Amerigroup, one of Iowa's for-profit Managed Care Organizations that oversees our state's privatized Medicaid program.
We went because Amerigroup's parent company is Elevance Health - aka Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. Elevance held their annual shareholders' meeting on May 10 where they laid out the profits they've made - largely by denying their policyholders - folks like us - the care they need and deserve.
Our visit was one of 6 visits in 5 states to Elevance offices across the country demanding that they stop delaying and denying our care just in order to line their pockets. Add your voice to the thousands demanding Elevance CEO Gail Boudreaux meet with People's Action affiliates and put our lives before corporate profit. Learn more about our Care Over Cost campaign 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!
Supreme Court Ruling Against EPA ‘Undoes a Half-Century of Progress’ in Protecting Waters of the United States [EcoWatch]
'Enormous Policy Failure': States Throw Hundreds of Thousands—Including Many Children—Off Medicaid [Common Dreams]
Iowa schools may never recover from 2023 legislative session [Bleeding Heartland]
Who cut your pork chop? [Storm Lake Times Pilot]
Is Kim Reynolds a threat to our public health? [Des Moines Register]
How protests that double as trainings are growing this fossil fuel divestment campaign [Waging Nonviolence]