May 08, 2017 02:40 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (May 8)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

Last week, Republicans in Congress passed a bill that will repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it with a system that will result in millions of Americans losing their coverage. Among other things, the bill removes protections for Americans with pre-existing medical conditions, treats sexual assault as a pre-existing condition, and is, essentially, a nearly-$1 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest 2% of Americans. Republicans haven’t repealed Obamacare yet—the U.S. Senate says they intend to “start from scratch,” but it’s very unlikely that the far-right House will accept anything short of their own destructive plan.

Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora is a perfect example of the right’s weakness. After voting to repeal the Affordable Care Act dozens of times over the years, a massive wave of public opposition in Coffman’s district has forced Coffman to change his tune. Coffman was one of the only members of Congress who supported the first version of “Trumpcare” in March. After weeks of negative press and angry constituents confronting him at every opportunity, Coffman changed his mind at the last minute and voted no last week on the latest Trumpcare bill.

Was it principle that changed Mike Coffman’s mind? Hardly. It was you who changed his mind. The resistance against the right-wing agenda in Washington is forcing politicians with an interest in political survival to reconsider what they are doing. If it wasn’t for good people like you coming back week after week to fight back against Trump and demand our local representatives do the same, Mike Coffman would have voted the other way—just like he did over and over for years.

It’s not over, not by a long shot. Now, the fight to protect health care reform shifts to the U.S. Senate, and we must fight back. We know—every week, we’re confronted by new bad policies that marginalize and threaten us, our families, and our communities. We won’t win every fight, but we will fight them every time. And, in the long run, we will outlast this administration and the policies being put forth by the right.

Thanks again for doing your part. Here are ways to take action for the week of May 8th:

Resist the Awful AHCA

How does the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in the House make you feel? Angry? Scared? Determined to resist? C’mon down to Skyline Park, 17th and Arapahoe in downtown Denver on Tuesday, May 9 at noon. We’ve invited Sen Cory Gardner to attend, but you know how that goes. Will he show up? One way or the other, we’ll make our opposition to AHCA crystal clear to him. We’ll have a short rally focused solely on health care issues, following by a die-in! Bring your signs and noisemakers and wear slings, back braces, and other visual reminders that Trumpcare will seriously injure our country’s health care system!

Where: Skyline Park, 1125 17th St., Denver, Colorado
When: Tuesday, May 9 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Don’t Separate Me From My Mom

Join Jeanette Vizguerra on May 10 for a program about children of mothers affected by immigration. Watch short videos of children talking about their desires and their fears if they are separated from their parents, then celebrate with food and music.

Where: First Baptist Church of Denver, 1373 Grant St, Denver
When: Wednesday, May 10 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

The Resistance: Support & Action Meeting with Food & Water Watch

Learn about and get involved with Food & Water Watch Colorado’s campaigns to oppose President Trump’s anti-environmental agenda, including his plans to slash key environmental regulations, and promote more fracking. And make real progress here in Colorado by urging our Colorado state legislators to stop the expansion of fracking and transition our state to 100% renewable energy by 2035!

Where: 1740 High St, Denver
When: Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Lunchtime meet & greet to thank EPA employees

Join us for a lunchtime meet and greet during Public Service Recognition Week to say thanks to EPA employees! We want to let them know that we greatly appreciate their commitment to science and public health, especially now that their work is more important than ever. It’s time to change the narrative – those working in public service have vitally important roles and their work is valued. We stand with them! Please share this event and bring a friend or two!

Where: EPA Region 8 Headquarters, 1595 Wynkoop St, Denver
When: Thursday, May 11 at 11:30am

Click here to RSVP.

Harm Reduction Action Center 2017 Spring Fundraiser

Join us on May 11th for the Harm Reduction Action Center’s annual spring fundraiser. There will be brief remarks from Lt. Governor Donna Lynne and Harm Reduction Coalition board member Julie Stampler plus free drinks and appetizers.

Where: Grant-Humphreys Mansion, 770 Pennsylvania St, Denver
When: Thursday, May 11 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Indivisible Happy Hour and Petition Training

Fighting in the resistance is thirsty making work! Let’s get together in community and celebrate all we’ve accomplished over the past four months. Sam and Jason will be leading a brief petition training at 6:30 so hold off on shots till after the training is done.

Where: Coffee at The Point, 710 E 26th Ave, Denver
When: Friday, May 12 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Fight for Healthcare

This will be a peaceful assembly to express Coloradans’ commitment to healthcare reform, and our disappointment and disapproval of the Congressmen who voted in favor of the AHCA. We will ask people come together to share their experiences, listen to local legislators and representatives of healthcare organizations, and learn how we can help healthcare programs/initiatives at a local level.

Where: Colorado State Capitol, 200 E Colfax, Denver
When: Saturday, May 13 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

News reports in recent days have expressed surprise that the resistance to Trump hasn’t slowed since January, but that, if anything, it’s growing stronger by the day. We are on the right side of this fight and the right side of history. And we’ll keep fighting as long as it takes. Thanks again.