This week in Iowa organizing…
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead
Taking a break from recent national news, last week brought us a nice reminder that much of politics and what makes up quality of life is local.
Back in the spring, CCI began working with residents of a mobile home park in Cedar Falls to address complaints they had with their corporate out-of-state ownership. The complaints were many - abandoned burned-out trailers, potholes nearly everywhere, lack of street signs and streetlights, and more.
A CCI organizer went back to the park this past Friday and saw a changed park. Street signs have been put up, new streetlights are going in, abandoned trailers beginning to be removed, and potholes being filled in. The other thing that had changed since the spring - the spirit of the tenants in the park and their belief that by coming together and challenging corporate power can win real improvements in our day-to-day lives.
There's more to be done at this park, for safe and affordable housing, and for all the issues we work on that impact our lives. But by coming together and taking collective action we can challenge the powers that be, and win.
So let's keep at it,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Member spotlight
Julie Duhn
Hardin County
What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for?
"Since about 2017 when I first met folks from Citizens for Community Improvement through the issue of clean water and fighting against hog factories in Hardin County, the organization changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to use my voice, introduced me to awesome people, and I have never looked back.
I learned how to fight for my family and my grandkids, those most dear to me as well as for my community. I learned from others at the CCI table about their issues and what they fight for and how we can all be allies to help each other. May I never grow weary of continued learning, the importance of knowledge, the joy of good company, and the requirement for making some good trouble on occasion.
There is no doubt I have met the smartest, brightest, most committed, and wonderful people through this organization. I will always be grateful to CCI and people in this space, because you are a gift to me.”
Take action
July 10: next meeting in Barons Book Club
On June 20, a total of 29 readers met for a book club over Zoom to dive deeper into CCI member Austin Frerick’s debut book Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry. Sign up to join the next one here!
This book club kicked off with a discussion about the Introduction and first chapter, The Hog Barons. A topic close to many Iowans, we talked about the ways Iowa Select and the Hansen family (aka the hog barons) have taken advantage of the land and people we love.
The next book club is July 10, where we will meet to discuss Ch. 2 Grain Barons and Ch. 6 Slaughter Barons. Attendance at the first meeting is not needed, and if this meeting is anything like the first one, you won’t want to miss it!
RSVP today to stay in the loop! You can purchase the book or find audio book details on Austin's website here.
July 16: CO2 pipelines & our water informational meeting
Our water is not infinite and we can't afford to let corporations like Summit extract billions of gallons of it so they can line their pockets.
Join CCI members and residents of Mitchell County on Tuesday, July 16 at 6:30pm for an informational meeting on how the proposed CO2 pipeline would impact our water and what we can do to fight back.
We'll be meeting at the Osage Public Library, more information and RSVP to join us here!
Pipeline fight far from over
Last month, we submitted a letter to the DNR opposing any and all water permits for CO2 pipelines signed by over 250 individuals and organizations! The consensus was clear - NO private company should be allowed to take Iowa's water for private gain.
This fight is far from over and we won't quit. Keep speaking up and speaking out, and file an objection to Summit’s pipeline with the Iowa Utilities Commission (formerly known as the Iowa Utilities Board) today by clicking here.
August 10 - People Power is How We Win!
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!
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:
Supreme Court's Chevron ruling could harm water quality [Newsweek]
Swimming advisories posted at multiple Iowa state parks [WHO]
Have you tested at your tap?
We want to continue to encourage testing your drinking water. The extreme weather conditions can lend additional hazards to water quality and official monitoring efforts.
If you have had or do have a reading of 10 mg/L or higher at the tap - inform your water provider right away. EPA has set an enforceable standard for nitrates in drinking water at 10 mg/L. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations. Refrain from drinking water with higher levels.
Click here to join us in the citizen science of water testing!
The water testing group keeps growing. Getting a test kit is free and the strips are easy to use for a 30 second nitrate test. We meet monthly on Zoom to hear from a guest speaker and share what we are seeing in the data and testing.
Don't miss our next monthly call Thursday, July 25!
Thank you for caring about Iowa's water!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Summit proposes August and September meetings for pipeline extensions [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Land of liberty: myth-making in the early American republic [Barn Raiser]
After Tyson plant shutdown, let's rethink Iowa's immigration stance [Des Moines Register]
We're in a class war. Jane McAlevey actually acted like it. [Jacobin]
Organizing as a trade with Don Carlson [George Goehl]