January 16, 2018 02:23 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (January 16)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

Holding the powerful accountable and fighting for the rights of everyone is not always the easy choice. Here in Denver, a city considered progressive and innovative by so many yardsticks, there’s a conflict brewing between new growth occurring in the urban core of the city and the communities that thrived here for decades before it was fashionable. This new conflict over gentrification, urban growth, and preservation of historic communities requires the best from all of us in order to build a prosperous future that respects everyone.

This weekend, hundreds from communities threatened by gentrification in Denver came together at Shorter AME Community Church to talk about lasting solutions to these vexing problems. [1] And it wasn’t just housing costs: the whole spectrum of necessary changes, from infrastructure to equitably support the city’s growth to reforming Denver’s troubled law enforcement institutions after years of distrust and brutality, were aired comprehensively by community leaders and individual residents in an open and respectful setting.

The problems our city and state face are formidable, but so is the resolve of community to solve them. Fighting for our shared values in the last year has been about resistance, but it’s also about hope for what comes after. And being organized to accomplish good things long after Trump and the far right are a memory is another reason to be proud of today’s resistance.

Here are more ways to get involved for the week of January 16th:

One Colorado Legislative Session Kickoff

The 2018 legislative session is right around the corner and there will be several bills that will impact the lives of LGBTQ Coloradans and their families. We’re hosting a happy hour to give you an opportunity to grab a drink or two, meet pro-equality legislators, AND learn about what we’re expecting in 2018.

Where: Hudson Hill, 619 E 13th Ave, Denver
When: Tuesday, January 16 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

DREAM Together Press Conference

We are holding a community event to advocate for the clean Dream Act now! We will meet at Viking park and host a press conference at 5:30. Afterwards, we shall move to drop two banners to gain more public support for the Dream Act. Please share and invite friends to make this event as large as possible. Every person counts! We can dream together and make a clean Dream Act a reality!

Where: Viking Park, 2801 W 29th Ave, Denver
When: Wednesday, January 17 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Special Advance Screening of Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart

In the new feature-length documentary award-winning filmmaker Tracy Heather Strain explores the life and work of this passionate writer and civil-rights advocate Lorraine Hansberry, who played a significant role in the major cultural and political movements of her time. Sighted Eyes|Feeling Heart is filled with insightful on-camera interviews with those who knew her best, and rare archival material, creating a nuanced portrait of an activist and artist whose words and ideas are as relevant today as they were when she first wrote them.

Where: Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, 2401 Welton St, Denver
When: Wednesday, January 17 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Official Women’s March On Colorado: One Year Anniversary

We will gather beginning at 8:30 AM. in Civic Center Park. The pre-rally will begin at 9 AM at the Civic Center Park Amphitheater, followed by the March at 9:30 AM and rally at noon. The map is posted at www.marchoncolorado.org.

Where: Denver’s Civic Center Park, Colfax and Bannock, Denver
When: Saturday, January 20 at 8:30am

Click here to RSVP.

Punk Against Trump feat. Anti-Flag

All ages: two dollars of every ticket purchased will go to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition to continue promoting equality for all. Price: advanced $20 / day of show $22.

Where: Summit Music Hall, 1902 Blake St, Denver
When: Saturday, January 20 at 3:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Me, Too: The Women’s March on Colorado Springs

Join locally in solidarity with national and international Women’s Marches! Last year we made history with the largest march held in the city. This year, local organizers invite you to again show up to affirm our commitment to work together to lift up the individuals and collective identities in our community who continue to be disproportionately marginalized and targeted for acts of violence.

Where: 115 E Platte Ave, Colorado Springs
When: Sunday, January 21 at 2:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Post-Women’s March Meetup

You marched – what’s next? What will we all do after the Women’s March to create positive change in Colorado and the country? We’ve got you covered: Come join resistance groups for an informal meet and greet to learn about how you can plug in locally. Network with local progressives, share experiences, make friends, and get involved. Everyone is welcome.

Post-Women’s March Meetup – Boulder: March On The Polls
Where: West Flanders Brewing Co., 1125 Pearl St, Boulder
When: Sunday, January 21 at 6:30pm
Click here to RSVP.

Post-Women’s March Meetup – Lafayette: March On The Polls
Where: East Simpson Coffee Company, 414 E Simpson St, Lafayette
When: Sunday, January 21 at 10:00am
Click here to RSVP.

Post-Women’s March Meetup – Longmont: March On The Polls
Where: 300 Suns Brewing, 335 1st Ave, Unit C, Longmont
When: Sunday, January 21 at 6:00pm
Click here to RSVP.

Post-Women’s March Meetup for Action-Arapahoe & Douglas County
Where: Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 2088 S Abilene St, Aurora
When: Sunday, January 21 at 2:00pm
Click here to RSVP.

Post-Women’s March Meetup – Arvada: March On The Polls
Where: Standley Lake Public Library, 8485 Kipling Street, Arvada
When: Sunday, January 21 at 3:30pm
Click here to RSVP.

Remember to watch your inbox for breaking news alerts! Thanks again for everything you do to fight back. We’ll see you next week.