This week in Iowa organizing…
Our hearts and thoughts go out to those impacted by the flooding that happened over the weekend. If you wish to help those impacted or looking for assistance, please check with local authorities or the Iowa disaster recovery website.
On another note, this Friday will mark the 55th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, the inspiration for Pride Month happening in June. Though progress has been made since 1969, recent legislative attacks and fearmongering have shown us we still have a ways to go for equality, acceptance, and protections for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Iowans of all identities, abilities, and backgrounds deserve a place in our state where they feel safe, accepted, and supported. Nobody's free until everybody's free.
Read on for upcoming events and other ways to take action over the coming weeks,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
June 27: Safe Drinking Water Act webinar
Iowa CCI has signed onto a legal petition with the Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) asking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take emergency action to protect our water.
After legal action from local groups last year, the EPA investigated Minnesota’s Karst Terrain and determined that action was needed to protect public health due to nitrates in the drinking water.
Join us this Thursday, June 27 at 6:30PM to learn more about this legal petition and discuss ways to get involved in the fight for clean water. RSVP to join us here!
June 29: 'Origin' movie screening and discussion
Join Iowa CCI, Just Voices, and Des Moines SURJ for a showing of the 2023 Ava DuVernay movie Origin on Saturday, June 29 at 12:45pm in Des Moines at the Franklin Ave. Library.
Origin chronicles the tragedy and triumph of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she crosses continents and cultures to craft her book digging further into the history and origins of racism in America.
Following the movie will be a roundtable discussion, snacks and drinks will be provided. More information and RSVP at iowacci.org/origins or calling 515-255-0800.
July 3: Know Your Rights immigration webinar
Join our allies at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice along with ACLU of Iowa and the American Immigration Council for a virtual statewide training session to equip leaders, advocates and service providers with information to lead “Know Your Rights” trainings in your communities.
The session will cover topics including:
constitutional protections (for everyone, regardless of immigration status) when interacting with law enforcement and ICE,
information about Iowa laws like SF 2340 (currently not in effect) and SF 481 (Iowa’s law mandating use of ICE detainer requests), and
materials to help families/individuals and communities build safety plans and defense networks
Wednesday, July 3, from 12-1:30pm, register to attend here.
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 13: Iowa CCI open house
Have you ever wanted to see where the magic happens at Iowa CCI? Our walls tell a story. So come on by - we're ready to welcome you in!
Join us on Saturday, July 13 from between 9:30-11:30am (w/ short program at 10:15am) at the CCI office (2001 Forest Ave in Des Moines).
The staff and board love to show off our headquarters AND we are getting jazzed about a big anniversary for the organization next year! RSVP to our open house and come check out our power place. We'd love to see you!
This event is for CCI members, the community, and anyone interested in building progressive, people-fueled power in Iowa. We'll have coffee & pastries, socializing with CCI folks, and a DIY plant swap. Your RSVP helps us plan for the day. Thank you!
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!
Deadline extended - Senator Grassley needs to support independent cattle farmers and consumers
US Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD) extended his Joint Senate letter urging the Senate Ag Committee to include Mandatory Country-of-Origin Labeling (MCOOL) in the 2024 Farm Bill. MCOOL would help level the playing field for independent beef producers and give consumers the knowledge to choose to support America’s independent family farmers.
Senator Grassley was a champion of COOL when it was first included in the 2002 Farm Bill. But he’s backed down big time because of corporate pressure. Grassley needs to get back to being bold on competition issues, and signing onto the letter is one way he can go to bat for independent family farmers.
Read more on COOL and the Farm Bill from CCI Board President Bab Kalbach here. Then call Sen. Grassley's office at (202) 224-3744 and urge him to contact Senator Rounds to sign onto the letter. Let us know how your call goes by replying to this email!
Save the Date
August 10 - CCI Action's "People Power is How We Win" 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!
Our theme this year is “People Power is How We Win." 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 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:
'We should have a sense of urgency' as farm drainage tile drives nutrient pollution [Investigate Midwest]
Iowa's water needs protection from aquifer raiders [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Join us this Thursday, June 27 at 5pm!
Click here to register for the monthly Zoom where we will hear from Noah Poppelreiter, Iowa DNR Water Quality Monitoring & Assessment Supervisor, about the beach monitoring program.
Outdoor recreation at beaches in Iowa is typically limited to the time period between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Therefore, most DNR beach monitoring is conducted, and standard swimming advisories are issued, during this time frame.
Please continue testing your drinking water. If you have had or do have a reading of 10 or higher at the tap - inform your water provider right away. The EPA has set an enforceable standard for nitrates in drinking water at 10 ppm. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.
Don't forget to register for Thursday's call at 5pm!
Thanks for testing water with the CCI Nitrate Watch program!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Judge blocks Iowa's immigration law, state attorney general to appeal [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Harvesting destruction [Barn Raiser]
Here's how deceitful politicians dodge the truth [Along the Mississippi]
The 'idiot lights' are flashing [Bleeding Heartland]
The Supreme Court struck a blow against workers' rights [Jacobin]