February 21, 2023 03:49 PM UTC

What you can do to fight for progress this week (February 21)

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

Last Friday, Colorado received another stark reminder of the continuing danger to our most basic rights. Three far-right bills to criminalize and impose non-medical burdens on abortion rights were killed in the Colorado House after hours of testimony. During the hearing, Republican Rep. Scott Bottoms sickeningly likened abortion to the Holocaust. [1] None of these terrible bills stood a chance of becoming law, but it’s a reminder that the unthinkable is only one away from reality in this post-Roe world. We can never afford to become complacent, even about rights most of us took for granted our entire lives.

This afternoon, the Colorado House Judiciary Committee passed an important criminal justice reform we’re supporting, House Bill 23-1133 to keep families connected by giving incarcerated individuals access to free communications with the outside world. Right now, inmates and families in Colorado spend millions of dollars to keep in touch with one another, a crucial factor in reducing recidivism once their sentence has been served.

Thank you to everyone who contacted your lawmakers urging a YES vote on this important legislation. If you haven’t already, take a moment to call your representative and urge them to vote YES on House Bill 23-1133, Cost Of Phone Calls For Persons In Custody.

Next up: thanks to members who contacted representatives to support eviction protections for Coloradans Who Receive SSDI, SSI, and TANF public assistance. With your help, the bill passed the House Judiciary Committee and is on its way to Appropriations. If you haven’t already, please contact your representative and urge support for House Bill 23-1120. We’ll be back in touch soon with next steps on this bill!

That’s just the beginning of a busy week at the legislature and across the state on important issues that impact us all. Then, check out more ways to take action for the week of February 21, 2023:

Denver Mayoral Race forum at Shorter Community AME Church

Be part of the LIVE AUDIENCE for our Denver 2023 Mayoral Race television series produced with PBS12. This first event in our series of 4 includes Special Guest Speaker former Mayor Wellington Webb and mayoral candidates Ean Tafoya, Mike Johnston, Leslie Herod, & Thomas Wolf.

When: Tuesday, February 21 at 6:00pm
Where Shorter Community AME Church, 3100 Richard Allen Ct., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Business and Professional Women of Boulder: Parenting in the Age of Climate Change

Psychologists have come up with a term “Eco Anxiety”. With all the climate disasters in the news every day folks are feeling the impacts of climate change. At this event we will be focusing on solution which can ease our anxiety and instead gain a sense of empowerment with the simple actions we can all take.

When: Tuesday, February 21 at 6:30pm
Where: Community United Church of Christ, 2650 Table Mesa Dr., Boulder

Click here to RSVP.

The Center on Colfax: Women Activists: Voices of Dissent from the African Diaspora

Dr. S. N. Nyeck is a multidisciplinary Associate Professor in Africana/Gender Studies in the Department of Ethnic Studies. As a compliment to The Center’s current exhibit Women’s Activism: Profiles in Dissent, Dr. Nyeck will speak about dissent and incorporate an Africana (Africa and Diaspora) perspective which complicates our understanding of queerness. Dr. Nyeck has written extensively on interdisciplinary topics such as queerness and politics, public policy, gender equity, ethics and religion, public procurement reform, economic inclusion, and human rights. She has been at the forefront of queer studies in Africa and her recent book African(a) Queer Presence: Ethics and Politics of Negotiation, is, according to one reviewer, “field changing and field forging [as] Nyeck invites the reader to engage with a new queer ethics. Her extended questioning of Africana queer existence is thus a multilayered, intellectually inclusive and critical examination of what an African-centered queer studies can become.”

When: Tuesday, February 21 at 7:00pm
Where: The Center on Colfax, 1301 E Colfax, Denver

Click here to RSVP.

Meet Your Denver City Council Candidates with The Steady, CBWPA, & TARRA

Join us for an evening of conversation and community making! TARRA, The Steady and Colorado Black Women for Political Action host Denver City Council Candidates for conversation leading up to the April 4, 2023 municipal election. The event is an opportunity for our communities to ask questions to Denver municipal candidates that matter most to the communities their organizations serve. The conversation will focus on business, innovation, campaign culture & workforce, and entrepreneurship.

When: Thursday, February 23 at 5:00pm
Where: TARRA, 865 North Albion St., Denver

Click here to RSVP.

February 2023 Durango Green Drinks – 1st one of 2023!

Please join us for the 1st Durango Green Drinks of 2023 on Thursday, February 23rd from 5-7PM. Announcements usually start around 5:30. Host this month are the Sustainability office of the City of Durango and the Durango Farmers Market.

When: Thursday, February 23 at 5:00pm
Where: 11th Street Station, 1101 Main Ave., Durango

Click here to RSVP.

9to5 Colorado: Passing the Torch Celebration

Please join us at 5:30PM to celebrate a sacred transition of 9to5 leadership as Dre transitions into her role as Project Director for the Justice for the People Legal Center, and Cesiah steps into state directorship for 9to5. Celebrate with us as we continue to grow our movement and strengthen the leadership of women of color.

When: Friday, February 24 at 5:30pm
Where: La Machaca de mi Amá, 11809 E Colfax, Aurora

Click here to RSVP.

We’ll see you next week with more ways to help. Thanks again.