July 10, 2017 01:45 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (July 10)

• 4 Comments
• by: ProgressNow Colorado

We are winning the fight to protect Obamacare.

In the last two weeks, Mitch McConnell and Cory Gardner’s campaign to dismantle health care reform and take away coverage from millions of Americans has begun to implode. Republican Senators are abandoning the effort in droves. Over the 4th of July recess, lawmakers who were brave enough to hold town halls were met with near-universal opposition from the voters they represent. Others like Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado were too cowardly to face their constituents at all. Support for “Trumpcare” is plummeting.

The next few weeks will make all the difference, and what we’re doing is working. If this latest attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act fails, Republicans are signaling that they may stop trying. Polls show the right is making a huge mistake trying to force an Obamacare repeal over public objections, and that voters are eagerly waiting to punish candidates at the polls in 2018 for what they’re doing today. Everything you have done to fight back in defense of health reform has been critical, helping change the tide of public opinion and striking fear in the hearts of politicians who have spent the last seven years promising to repeal Obamacare.

Now more than ever, keep the phone calls and letters to Cory Gardner coming. And here are more ways to take action for the week of July 10th:

Rally to support funding for walking and biking in Denver

Put on your favorite blue shirt and join the Denver Streets Partnership in showing your support for funding walking and biking in Denver! The 2017 GO Bond that City Council will refer to voters this fall is an important opportunity to jumpstart the buildout of sidewalk and bicycle networks citywide. However, in the latest round of revisions to the GO Bond package, funds for these projects were cut by nearly 40%! We need Denver residents to let City Council know EVERY neighborhood deserves walkability, bikeability, and liveability.

Where: Denver City and County Building, 1437 Bannock St, Denver
When: Monday, July 10 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Postcard Huddle!

Join Colorado Action Network – Colorado Springs for another postcard huddle! We will of course be focusing on Senator Cory Gardner and demanding he vote no on the disgusting healthcare bill. All you need to bring is yourself, and some cash for food and drink, but donations are greatly appreciated, especially post card stamps! COS CAN organizers will have everything you need for a great night of easy activism. Postcards, pens, address labels, and we mail the postcards for you too! Join us!

Where: The Principal’s Office, 1604 S Cascade Ave, Colorado Springs
When: Monday, July 10 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

What about the Taser? A dialogue about the Marvin Booker case

Marvin Booker died seven years ago this month at the hands of officers at the Denver jail. But serious questions linger about the authenticity of the homicide weapon that the City and County of Denver produced as evidence in one of its most notorious excessive force cases. Join The Colorado Independent for a conversation with the Booker family about their lack of closure in the case. We’ve invited Denver’s Safety Manager Stephanie O’Malley to discuss why the evidence doesn’t match the facts of Marvin’s killing. And we’ve invited Denver DA Beth McCann, whom the Bookers have asked for a criminal investigation into the city’s handling of the evidence.

Where: Denver Open Media, 700 Kalamath St, Denver
When: Monday, July 10 at 7:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Strategic Donating for Social Change

Have you ever donated money to try to make the world a better place? Have you ever felt guilty for saying “no” to a request to donate, wondering if you really should have said “yes”? Have you ever said “yes” and realized that the deciding factor was really just that you were a little closer to your wallet, feeling a little more emotionally vulnerable, or perhaps hadn’t made any major purchases recently (unlike that time you said “no”)? Would you like to feel confident that you are saying “yes” and “no” for the right reasons? Want to feel secure that the money you donate is doing the most it can to break down systems of oppression and change the world? This is the workshop for you!

Where: Northside Aztlan Community Center, 112 Willow St, Fort Collins
When: Tuesday, July 11 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Accepting Our Humanity: Conversations To Break Down Shame

In this series, we open a conversation around incredibly challenging topics that we, and our society, typically cast into the shadows of shame. Many of us are carrying a story, a belief or a secret that makes us feel ‘less than’, unworthy, or shameful. So we hide that part of ourselves, fearful we will be exposed to judgement or potential rejection. Many of the subjects we will discuss are identified as shameful by societal, religious, familial, or other influences outside of ourselves. Through lively discussion, we will dive into the judgements and beliefs cast by these influences, and break down the wall that keeps us from sharing these life experiences with others. Let’s come together to share our own stories, discuss the burden of hiding our secrets, and support one another in moving from a place of shame to acceptance.

Where: Earth Yoga Boulder, 3000 Folsom St, Boulder
When: Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality COS

Join us for a Day of Action to Save Net Neutrality on Wednesday, July 12th to fight for real net neutrality — and maintaining the Internet as a place where we don’t have to pay a network owner for our messages to receive attention. The July 12 Day of Action is focused on getting as many people as possible to contact the FCC and Congress in support of net neutrality.

Where: Colorado Springs City Hall, 107 N Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Grant Application Workshop (Chinook Fund)

Thinking of applying for a Chinook Fund grant? Are you a new grantseeker or a past grantee that needs a refresher on the grant application process? Chinook Fund invites you to attend our Grant Application Workshop where we will give an introduction to Chinook Fund, our funding criteria, and an overview of the grant application process.

Where: 1031 33rd Street, Room 236 (Classroom), Denver
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Social (Justice) Hour: Wine and Words

SJC hosts its first Social (Justice) Hour, a bi monthly social event to get together to meet other fellow activists and community members in a relaxed environment! Our first event is at the Bohemian Biergarten. Wine is $2 off every glass, so stop on by for some drinks and pleasant conversation. This is not a structured event, so please feel free to just relax and meet other members of the community. Learn stories or talk about what’s been on your mind!

Where: Bohemian Biergarten, 2017 13th St, Boulder
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Know Your Health, Know Your Rights: LGBTQ Health Workshop

We know lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families face unique physical and mental health barriers. One Colorado is hosting an event in Breckenridge to dig deeper into the landscape of LGBTQ health in the state, provide tools for self-advocacy in healthcare settings, and talk with community members to learn more about local issues in accessing care. This is free and open to the public!

Where: 103 S Harris St, Breckenridge
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Organizations That Live: What Can Nonprofits Learn From Nature?

Putting community members in charge. Making decisions efficiently and equitably. Holding each other accountable. Even the most committed and forward-thinking groups can struggle with challenges like these. But for every obstacle, there are any number of smart design solutions waiting to be applied. Join us on Wednesday, July 12th for an exclusive presentation and workshop led by Adam Brock, JVA’s director of social enterprise and author of the new book Change Here Now: Permaculture Solutions for Personal and Community Transformation. We’ll learn about patterns of the biologically-informed organization, and get some on-the-ground practice in applying them to our own work.

Where: Joining Vision and Action, 2465 Sheridan Blvd., Edgewater
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Be There: Community Meeting

Colorado Jobs With Justice invites you and other supporters to a community meeting! We will hear updates concerning ongoing campaigns for workers’ rights and strategize effective ways to build power for workers and their families. All family and friends are welcome! Come for the food and socializing, stay for the power building!

Where: Jefferson County Education Association (JCEA), 1447 Nelson St, Lakewood
When: Wednesday, July 12 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Webinar: Who Leads Us? Race and Gender in Colorado Politics

As we gear up for 2018 and beyond, how reflective is our democracy? Do our candidates and elected officials reflect the race, class, and gender of those of us who live in Colorado? Why or why not? How can we make sure our elected officials truly do reflect who we are as Coloradans? Join this webinar to find out. We are honored to have Brenda Choresi Carter, director of the Reflective Democracy Campaign, join us via webinar to discuss this issue and explore how we can take action in Colorado.

Where: Posner Center for International Development, 1031 33rd St, Denver
When: Thursday, July 13 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

We Got The Beat: Come dance like independent media depends on it!

The Colorado Independent is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year, and YOU’RE invited! We’re going to dance, we’re going to eat cake, we’re going to have scintillating conversations and laugh until our faces hurt — all in the name of supporting our nonprofit newsroom. With your help, we can keep writing about the issues you care about most: the environment, social and criminal justice, Denver’s changing landscape, healthcare and, of course, the politics of a purple state.

Where: Mercury Cafe, 2199 California St, Denver
When: Friday, July 14 at 8:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Universal Health Care Conference

Learn about the movement for universal health care, in the U.S. and in states across the U.S. Hear about possible legislative options in Colorado and the Colorado campaign for universal health care. Hear a lively panel discussion with leaders in the movement and of Colorado’s diverse communities. Plug in, get active, raise awareness, grow the movement. Make friends, network, and celebrate Medicare’s 52nd birthday!

Where: Pipefitters Union Hall 6350 Broadway, Denver
When: Saturday, July 15 ar 9:30am

Click here to RSVP.

Back to the Drawing Board? ACA, AHCA, BCRA, and Beyond

If passed, the recently revealed Senate version of ACA replacement will have profound impacts on the people of Weld County and Northern Colorado. It is important to be informed as your healthcare insurance coverage may be changing! Each speaker will present for 10 minutes, leaving plenty of time for Q&A. All who are interested in community and/or national healthcare are invited. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. Informational handouts will also be available.

Where: Sunrise Community Health, 2930 11th Ave, Evans
When: Saturday, July 15 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Teach-In

The American Legislative Exchange Council—more commonly known as ALEC—is holding their annual meeting in Denver from July 19 to 21, 2017. In response, a coalition of organizations will hold a teach-in on Saturday, July 15th in Denver to educate the public about ALEC’s negative impact on economic, environmental, and social issues.

Where: First Baptist Church of Denver, 1373 Grant St, Denver
When: Saturday, July 15 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

2nd Annual Carbon Sequestration Festival

The Carbon Sequestration Festival (Celebration of Soil) is a yearly community gathering that brings together farmers, academics, industry leaders, citizens and youth under one common goal; to discover how the soils that grow our food are playing a part in solving some of the planet’s biggest environmental challenges. Most importantly this is a chance for the public to join in the discussion around carbon sequestration and to learn how they can take action and become part of the solution. The festival will feature demonstrations by industry leaders, interactive educational spaces for families, and presentations from researchers and farmers. You are invited to join us for a day of learning and engagement under the beautiful cottonwoods of Left Hand Creek.

Where: Ollin Farms, 8627 N 95th St, Longmont
When: Sunday, July 16 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

It Doesn’t Have To Be Like This: A Community Forum

Join the Denver Justice Project and several partner organizations for a community forum on solutions: alternative methods for achieving justice, building public health and safety, and revitalizing our communities in ways that go beyond the over-reliance on cops, courts, and cages. We will hear from a panel of distinguished thinkers and practitioners about what these alternatives can and do look like and have conversations with our neighbors about how these ideas can begin to transform the ways we seek safer, and more just communities.

Where: Turnhalle Ballroom At The Tivoli, 900 Auraria Pkwy, Denver
When: Sunday, July 16 at 2:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Thanks again for all you do every week to fight back. As always, remember to watch your inbox for breaking news and alerts! We’ll be back next week with more ways to take action in support of our shared progressive values.