This week in Iowa organizing…
We interrupt your regularly scheduled week in Iowa organizing to bring you a Movement Politics Moment with Katie Biechler!
Election season is upon us, and we know this election is a big one with serious implications. There’s no one candidate and no single election that’s going to save us.
But there are two futures on the ballot this election. One is a future where our loved ones, our neighbors, our communities will be divided and pit against one another, otherized, and persecuted. The other, a future where we can continue to build on the victories we've already won and push for even more of what we need.
We know voting isn’t the answer to all the issues we face, but it is key to ensuring we have people in office we can work with and move. It’s the path we lay for ourselves to lead us to big victories.
So, with that in mind,and the fact that early voting begins tomorrow, please check here for voting details and deadlines, as well as some CCI Action members running for office this election cycle.
Want to stay up to date with our movement politics work? Reply to this email to start receiving our Movement Politics Monthly email!
Alright, as Matthew would probably say, please read on for ways to take action, what we're reading, and more.
Katie Biechler
Strategic Initiatives Manager
Member spotlight
Curt Nelson
Cerro Gordo County
What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for?
"Over the past couple of years I've gotten actively involved with CCI because this group works hard in areas that I care about - A sustainable food system that produces affordable food for everyone and does not pollute our air and water. Quality Public Education for everyone, regardless of income level and the special needs and challenges students face. Equal justice and treatment for all Iowans and others living in our state.
I'm a mostly retired farmer and I've enjoyed working in these areas with the remarkable people CCI attracts. Here in North central Iowa we've been working hard in opposition to the CO2 pipeline. We've knocked doors, collected signatures on petitions, and attended lots of meetings. The fight goes on. CCI has also given me the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to lobby for a sensible Farm Bill. I also had the chance to attend CCI's meeting with the EPA to push for clean water in our rivers and lakes.
My wife was a teacher in the public schools. She was a CCI member and traveled to Des Moines to protest against the big banks decimating our national economy. She would be furious with the destruction of our AEAs and the vouchers that are seriously weakening our schools. I support CCI because we fight back. We get into "Good Trouble" as John Lewis tells us. What better way to spend retirement?!"
Take action
Starting October 15: 'The Education Wars' book club!
Thanks to all of you who showed up, spoke up, and committed to take action for honest, equitable, and fully-funded public education along our book tour with author Jennifer Berkshire! We learned so much and met so many great people along our stops in Iowa Falls, Tama and more!
Couldn't make it or want more discussion? Then join us for our Education Wars book club starting October 15 on Zoom! Book Club details: We will meet 3 times to discuss specific chapters of The Education Wars. Join us for one or all of them. We'll be taking this book in bite-sized chunks so there is no pressure to finish it all in one sitting, although you might anyway!
October 20: "Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial"
Join the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, Hubbell Environmental Law Initiative, and the Iowa City Book Festival in welcoming international bestselling author Corban Addison to Iowa City for a reading and talk of his book Wastelands: The True Story of Farm Country on Trial.
This event will feature an author reading and a moderated question and answer session, followed by a book sale and author book signing. Free and open to the public, the event is in person at Old Brick on the University of Iowa campus. Doors will open at 2:30 pm. More information found here.
October 22: Public School Strong orientation
We believe that every child – no matter their zip code, background, race, gender, identity, or ability – has an equal right to a quality education. That means fully funding our public schools, urban and rural, and it means we need local school boards free from partisan politics.
And it's why we're part of Public School Strong - a national movement of parents, teachers, students, and community members pushing for honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public education. Over 100 of you joined us over the past 2 months to learn more and discuss ways to take action to defend and strengthen Iowa’s public schools - thank you!
Be a part of the growing movement! Join our next orientation session on Tuesday, October 22 at 6pm over Zoom. More info and RSVP here.
October 23: Game over: Ending corporate Agriculture's game of Monopoly
For decades, agribusiness giants and multinational corporations have treated our food and farm system as a twisted game of Monopoly. Join us and the National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC) for a webinar that exposes the monopolization of agriculture by these corporate titans.
Austin Frerick will pull back the curtain to reveal how a handful of companies have managed to seize control of the food we eat—at the expense of independent farmers, consumers, and the environment. Then, hear from farmers who are actively taking control of their own livelihoods and empowering themselves and others to challenge the status-quo.
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:
Don't let CAFOs' fouling and sickening of Iowa reach a point of no return [Des Moines Register]
Big, if true [The Swine Republic]
Report back from the 2024 Iowa Water Summit
The Izaak Walton League hosted the Iowa Water Summit in Des Moines on October 8. They had great speakers from local and statewide organizations who are doing important work on water quality and monitoring in Iowa's waters.
The Iowa CCI Nitrate Watch testing group was well represented! CCI members grabbed a photo with Heather Wilson - our great partner for getting test kits out to our Citizen Scientists. We all enjoyed the community of the day and awesome networking opportunities.
Don't miss our next monthly call Thursday, October 24!
You can still order kits and test water - especially in these weather conditions. More information can be found here!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Christian nationalist organization approved to accredit Iowa private schools (by CCI member Jenny Turner) [Bleeding Heartland]
South Dakota landowners, legislature at odds over Summit carbon pipeline [UPI]
'It's mindblowing': US meteorologists face death threats as hurricane conspiracies surge [The Guardian]
What is Indigenous Peoples' Day? [USA Today]
Why is the Iowa GOP hostile to public schools? [Cedar Rapids Gazette]