The People's Voice: The convention is over but our activism is not.
DES MOINES, IA - Hundreds of members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Action Fund (CCI) gathered downtown on Saturday to participate in CCI’s 2019 annual convention, The People’s Voice. The convention brought together existing and new members to hear from an all-female panel discussion. Leaders in caregiving, anti-factory farms, climate, and racial justice discussed the importance of these issues and offered ways people can take action and deepen our grassroots activism.
“We must rely on people, not politicians and corporations, to make a positive change,” said Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement. “During the Great Depression one year saw two million people protest and 400,000 workers strike for a day or more. We need that kind of social mobilization.”
The convention’s keynote speaker, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), inspired listeners with a clear and motivating speech, which touched on immigrant rights and the need for a livable minimum wage, two of the biggest issues facing the end of the first quarter of the twenty-first century.
And here’s the rub: We are winning.
As we get closer to the 2020 caucuses more and more presidential candidates are starting to support bills like Rep. Jayapal’s Medicare for All and six candidates co-sponsoring the ambitious climate focused Green New Deal.
Every single person truly does make a difference and the cool part is you get to say you helped make the world a better place. That is awesome! If you missed the convention, but are eager to start fighting for a better world visit our website to find our contact information and learn more about our issues. Below you can find links to our speakers organizations. Our next big event is the Presidential Forum on Saturday, September 21. RSVP here!
Organization Links
- Sunrise Movement
- Jobs with Justice
- Caring Across Generations
- Food and Water Watch
- Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Land Stewardship Project