This week in Iowa organizing…
Watching the movie Beetlejuice as a kid, I thought "The Banana Boat Song" was fun and jovial. I of course did not know then the long history of Harry Belafonte and his commitment to civil and human rights. Rest in Power Harry Belafonte.
In 2001, Belafonte said "anger is a necessary fuel. Rebellion is healthy." Today, on International Workers' Day, let's remember that it's okay to be angry, especially when used as fuel to propel collective action for the rights of workers and each other.
As the movement art lifts up below, all work has dignity and each worker has a name, a story, and a life to lead.
Please read on for updates and ways to take action (and a plant sale!),
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse
Budget talks, property taxes, child labor, and who cares about ethics
Glad I didn't place any actual bets on the legislature adjourning for the year on April 28. But it looks like the end is near.
Left on the docket? The House and Senate need to agree on the state budget before adjourning. They'll likely also come to agreement on a proposal to limit property tax increases for Iowans. And ironically (or just bad timing? Regardless, there's been enough irony this session) paired with International Workers' Day they'll pare back Iowa's child labor laws.
Speaking of children, Reynolds and Republican leaders have almost completed their overhaul of our state's education system, seemingly without the input of any students who will bear the burden of their efforts.
Another defining issue this legislative session will be the utter disregard for ethics and conflicts of interest. Absolute power corrupts absolutely as the saying goes. But never ones to back down, a big thank you to the members who joined us last Tuesday to find Sen. Whitver, and to all of you made calls and sent emails to protect the land and our communities from the proposed CO2 pipelines.
Take action
Today - May 1: take action for Dubuque tenants
We have a vision for housing in Dubuque where everyone is ensured safe and dignified housing, slumlords are not welcome, and we have a city and county that protects homeowners and tenants - not banks or investment firms.
That's why today we're taking action with a group of senior tenants who are being abused and harassed by their property management group.
Last month we asked their property management group to meet with us to discuss lost rent payments, illegal apartment entries, and issues not being fixed in a timely manner. They failed to respond to a date and time to meet.
Tell Sen. Grassley - no corporate profiteering in the 2023 Farm Bill
Iowans don’t want corporations taking over our farms!
Take a minute to tell Senator Grassley to stand with family farmers and support bi-partisan legislation for the 2023 Farm Bill that will regulate and limit the corporate acquisition and ownership of farmland in the United States.
Make a call or send Sen. Grassley an email here. For more on land grabs, check this out from the National Family Farm Coalition.
Issue Updates
May 12 - 13: Fundraiser Plant Sale
As always the Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend. Organic veggie starts from several local growers, mostly heirloom varieties. Also, herbs, prairie plants, Iowa wildflowers, and other yard perennial plant divisions. Order online, pick up and pay in person Friday, May 12 from 3-6 pm or Saturday, May 12 form 8-1 pm.
VIEW THE INVENTORY HERE, and PLANT RESERVATION FORM HERE.
Invite your friends, and plan to join us for this great community event and fundraiser hosted by Des Moines area CCI members.
If you have yard or house plant divisions to donate, please let us know ASAP by replying to this email or calling 515-255-0800 so we can add them to the order form.
Cheers to Willie Nelson
On Saturday, 100 of us came together to celebrate the 90th birthday of Willie Nelson!
We had music, food, cake and shared organizing stories from 1985 and the mid-90s when Willie Nelson showed up time and again for Iowa CCI and the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, including an action in Clive, IA. Unlike many celebrities (or elected officials) Willie is both a leader and participant in the organizing efforts he supports. He knows that showing up is a necessary first step, and when all eyes are on him, he knows when to pass the mic and listen. And we can't thank him enough.
A big thank you to family farm organizing legends Rhonda Perry from the Missouri Rural Crisis Center, Mark Schultz formerly of the Land Stewardship Project, and Iowa CCI's own Hugh Espey for sharing stories of people power and Willie's solidarity in action. And to Shorlette Ammons from Farm Aid for joining us, too.
Read our op-ed that ran in Iowa Starting line: On his 90th Birthday, Iowa CCI honors Willie Nelson
A message from Farm Aid's founding director Carolyn Mugar
Listen to the Willie playlist curated from the favorite songs shared by everyone RSVP'd on Spotify or Apple Music
August 19 - CCI Action's Summer Membership Meeting
That's right, on August 19 you'll want to be in the Des Moines metro to join fellow CCI Action members for our Summer Membership Meeting!
We'll come together to reconnect with friends and meet other CCI Action members from across the state for a day of information, inspiration, and action. At this day-long meeting, we'll:
Hear updates on and learn about our top-tier issue organizing campaigns
Educate ourselves on some Iowa history and deepen connections with key allies in our fight for justice
Get energized and recommit ourselves to fighting the good fight and take action for our people and planet
Enjoy some good, local food!
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!
Is this the legislative session Iowa voters wanted? [Cedar Rapids Gazette]
Can Iowa Meatpacking Workers Take on Tyson? [In These Times] and Brightly Colored Bandages and Bags of Ice [In These Times]
Iowa’s laws are pushing out good teachers—and critical thinking [Slate]
Who knew there are two sides to waste, fraud, abuse? [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
How to De-throne the Self-Appointed Kings & Queens of America [The Hartmann Report]
When we are organizing in rural communities, sometimes we are quite literally the only alternative to that alt-right worldview [The Cocklebur]
Sky's the limit [Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation]