March 09, 2020 02:55 PM UTC

What you can do to fight back this week (March 9)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

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With concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus dominating the headlines, we’re grateful in Colorado to have competent public health administrators and elected officials working day and night to ensure preparedness. After the first “presumptive positive” cases were confirmed in Colorado over the weekend, the steady flow of information and assurances from Gov. Jared Polis on down have been a relief during a time of considerable worry.

Unfortunately, not all Colorado public officials have lived up to their obligations in this times of crisis. Last week, Congressman Ken Buck of Colorado, who also serves as the chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, was one of only two representatives to vote against legislation to fund the nationwide response to the novel coronavirus outbreak. [1]

That’s not a misprint: the vote to authorize coronavirus relief funding was 415-2, and Ken Buck was one of the two.

At a moment when Americans are rightfully so worried about the spread of a deadly new disease, a Congressman from Colorado–and the chairman of the Colorado Republican Party, no less–just thumbed his nose at the entire nation to make a crass political statement. Buck’s callousness in the face of a deadly threat to the American public is outrageous and almost unprecedented. When Colorado needed disaster relief after the terrible flooding of 2013, our fellow Americans came to our aid even after Colorado Republicans had voted against disaster relief in other states after Hurricane Sandy.

Action item #1 this week: call Rep. Buck at (303) 758-3333, and tell him to apologize for putting cheap political grandstanding first and protecting Americans from coronavirus second. We can’t let Buck’s disgrace speak for all of Colorado.

Thank you for standing up for common decency. Rarely is the question so clearly defined.

Once that’s done, here are more ways to take action for the week of March 9:

Craftvism for Abortion Provider Appreciation Day

Come help us tell abortion providers how much they mean to us! Bring any baked goodies you would like to have be a part of the thank you baskets we will be giving to our providers. We’ll also be making buttons and signing cards! Let’s show our amazing providers some love!

Where: Woods Boss Brewing Company, 2210 California St., Denver
When: Monday, March 9 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Updated: Women and Families’ Wednesday Lobby Day

Join us for this volunteer lobby day – where we advocate for the bills and programs impacting gender equity in Colorado! This is a smaller lobby day where participants get first hand experience on how the Colorado legislature works and how citizens can have a voice within it!

Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver
When: Wednesday, March 11 at 8:15am

Click here to RSVP.

New Era Colorado: Celebrating 200,000 voters registered!

We just hit a MAJOR milestone: we’ve officially registered over 200,000 voters since we were founded! That’s 200,000 new voices in our democracy; 200,000 more lifelong voters; and 200,000 reasons to believe we can build a better future, together. We’re celebrating this incredible achievement and the youth power we’ve built along the way with a happy hour at Broadway Market! Join us for drinks and apps!

Where: Broadway Market Denver, 950 N Broadway, Denver
When: Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition: Testify Against Anti-Immigrant ICE Detainer Bill

HB20-1188, the xenophobic, anti-immigrant bill being ran by Representative Dave Williams has been assigned a committee hearing date on March 12th in the House Judiciary Committee (HCR 0112 at 1:30pm). This bill effectively tries to roll back key civil liberties and protections we’ve fought for over the past decade.

Where: Colorado State Capitol, Denver
When: Thursday, March 12 at 1:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Medical Professionals Town Hall – Immigrant Detention

Please join us on Thursday, March 12th for a Medical Professionals Town Hall Meeting regarding the GEO Immigrant Detention Center. We will share some food at 5:30 pm, and start our program at 6:00 pm on the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora. We will be in Education 2 North Room 1103. First we will hear from Elizabeth Jordan of the Civil Right Education and Enforcement Center, outlining their report on the medical conditions inside private detention centers. Next we will hear from directly impacted people and their loved ones, people who have experienced medical neglect first hand. Lastly we will consider several specific calls to action that medical professionals can take to support systemic change.

Where: Anschutz Campus, University of Colorado
When: Thursday, March 12 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Colorado Common Cause: I Count Census Kick Off

Join Colorado Common Cause and community leaders at the kick-off event for the “I Count” campaign bringing awareness to the 2020 U.S. Census. Last year, Colorado Common Cause successfully advocated to pass the Census Outreach Grant Program which provided $6 million in state grants for organizations statewide to facilitate a complete and accurate count of all Coloradans. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, March 12th from 6:00- 7:30 pm at Cultivated Synergy in RiNo for “I Count” big foam finger fun and light refreshments.

Where: Cultivated Synergy, 2901 Walnut St, Denver
When: Thursday, March 12 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

La Chicana: Women Who Make A Difference

Join Conservation Colorado, Protegete, and El Pueblo History Museum as we honor and celebrate the Year of La Chicana and Women’s History Month. Colorado women leaders are coming from all over the state to talk and share with you their journeys, their struggles and most importantly their successes. Keynote speaker is Dr. Stephanie Herrera.

Where: El Pueblo History Museum, 301 N. Union Avenue Pueblo
When: Saturday, March 14 at 12:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Parasol Patrol: Shielding Kids From Protesters At Second Star To The Right

Parasol Patrol is honored to help shield children from vocal protesters at the Second Star To The Right Bookstore. Our volunteers and community members will help escort kids with umbrellas to create a visual barrier with you and walk audience members to the door of the venue. The organizers are calling for attendees to dress colorfully and festive.

Where: Second Star to the Right Books, 1545 South Pearl Street, Denver
When: Saturday, March 14 at 1:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

We’ll be back next week with more ways to make a difference. See you then!