This week in Iowa organizing…
This weekend I was reminded of the recent rains while on a bike ride that involved two trails closed due to flooding from nearby rivers.
The good news? No more extreme drought for Iowa. The bad news? So, so many nitrates in our rivers and waterways from corporate ag polluters.
It's a reminder that the state's voluntary nutrient reduction strategy isn't working and that much, much more needs to be done to clean up our water. This will be the norm until we take real action to address the issue.
Which is why we'll keep at it, and thanks to all of you taking action with us. Please read on for more about our water and other events happening in the coming weeks (plus our August 10 Summer Meeting)!
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Tomorrow - May 14: 2 ways to take action on CO2 pipelines
Bruce Rastetter, through his Summit Carbon Solutions, wants to build over 1,000 miles of CO2 pipelines across Iowa. Join us in Stanton on May 14 @ 7pm to learn more about these projects and upcoming public hearings to make your voice heard.
We'll have a presentation from Jan Norris, panel of affected landowners, and a Q&A with attendees. More information and RSVP here!
AND, up north in Mitchell County, we'll be delivering hundreds of petition signatures to the Board of Supervisors urging them to pass an ordinance to protect our communities should a CO2 pipeline be built. We'll be meeting at 8:30am on May 14 at the Mitchell County Courthouse in Osage, more info and RSVP here!
Also May 14: Public School Strong
Iowa CCI is thrilled to be part of the Honest Education Action and Leadership (HEAL) Together network. HEAL launched Public School Strong, a movement made up of parents, educators, students, and community members around the country who are organizing to strengthen our public schools so that all children can thrive.
Join public school parents, family members and supporters from across the country to learn: - How to show your support for well-resourced and inclusive public schools - What to look for when you observe your school district's school board meeting - How to form a Public School Strong team in your school district - Ways to join a national movement to protect and transform public schools that serve all children.
The next online info session will be tomorrow, May 14 at 5:30pm CDT - sign up to join here!
Attended Public School Strong? How did it go? Did you attend a school board meeting yet? Let us know by emailing timg@iowacci.org or calling 515-282-0484.
Starting this Thursday - May 16: Let's go to the movies!
Iowa CCI is coming to an outdoor theater near you!
On May 16 and May 30, we'll be watching The Biggest Little Farm - a film that captures how a couple left their city life behind and set out on a mission to grow food for their community while creating a farm that doubles as a functional ecosystem for both people and planet.
On May 23 we'll be watching LN3: The 7 Teachings of the Anishinaabe Resistance - a Frontline documentary on the effort to stop fossil fuel expansion and encourage real energy security.
Together, we'll talk about ways we can take action for our water and people and places we love, meet neighbors, and build community. Our screenings are for everyone, so come hang out at the park for this inspiring doc and some CCI-style fun! We'll have good snacks and refreshments waiting for you.
May 16 @ 7pm in Oelwein: info and RSVP here
May 23 @ 7pm at Worth County Lake Park: info and RSVP here
May 30 @ 7pm in Iowa Falls: info and RSVP here
DNR - our water is not for sale to pipeline profiteers
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. That’s why we have this sign on letter demanding the DNR deny water permits for Summit.
Reach out to groups, elected officials, and other influential figures that you know of to add their support to protect our water from CO2 pipelines.
June 8: Teach Truth day of action in Iowa City!
Join our allies in Iowa City as we face down attacks on our public education! Young people, educators, parents, and community members are all welcome!
Iowa was one of the first states to adopt legislation that attempts to require educators to lie to students about the role of racism, sexism, and other forms of oppression throughout U.S. history. As Iowans, we stand against this harmful legislation and pledge to take action for full and honest education.
There will be live music, a book exchange, and many opportunities to network and strategize have fun and play games. Bring some books to exchange, food or drinks to share, questions, ideas, friends and family, or just bring yourself. Come join us and party with a purpose.
This event is part of a national effort led by the Zinn Education Project, AAPF, and Black Lives Matter at School to stand in solidarity for Youth and Truth. Locally this event is organized by grassroots organizers, Great Plains Action Society, and more!
June 8 from 2:30pm - 6:30pm in Iowa City at College Green Park. More info can be found here!
Save the Date
August 10 - CCI Action's "People Power is How We Win" Summer Meeting!
Join CCI Action members and supporters on Saturday, August 10 in Ankeny for our annual Summer Meeting! We'll connect with folks from across the state, get educated on the issues, and plan the work ahead.
Our theme this year is “People Power is How We Win”- a recipe for success in my book! Here’s the basics:
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 details coming soon!
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:
Snap out of it, Iowans: industrial agriculture is the problem [Bleeding Heartland]
An Iowa farm county seeks answers amid cancer rates 50% higher than national average [The New Lede]
Don't miss our next monthly call Thursday, May 30!
Plan to join us Thursday, May 30 at 5pm on Zoom to hear from Jason Palmer, Natural Resources Biologist with the DNR. He will help us understand what happens to our surface water during the summer months. What's the deal with E. coli and algae blooms in lakes? You don't want to miss it!
More people are finally taking notice of Iowa's water crisis. Water is a finite and precious resource. We must all be engaged in the fight to preserve and protect it. Thank you for being a part of that fight!
Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, to share an update about your water testing, or if you have ideas for a topic for a monthly call. And please take photos if you can.
Look forward to seeing you on the call May 30!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Record-breaking increase in CO2 levels in world's atmosphere [The Guardian]
Polarization may phase out of American politics as younger generations shift into power [The Conversation]
Civil rights groups sue to block Iowa's new 'illegal reentry' immigration law [Des Moines Register]
What Iowa Republicans focused on during legislative session (by CCI board president Barb Kalbach) [Iowa Starting Line]
Organizing rural and small town America for affordable housing and racial justice [Barn Raiser]
Chicken farmers stuck with uncertainty, massive loans in wake of Tyson Foods closures [Missouri Independent]