April 09, 2018 01:55 PM UTC

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

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• by: ProgressNow Colorado

“A hate-inspired group?”

As Colorado’s largest online progressive advocacy organization, we at ProgressNow Colorado get a lot of requests from progressive activists and grassroots groups for assistance with organizing and promoting events. With an up-to-date press list and tools for broadcasting press releases and news alerts (like this one) to thousands of people with one click, we’re proud to help connect the growing numbers of fellow Coloradans who are organizing and fighting back to defend the values we share.

Last week, a spokesman for Rep. Mike Coffman of Aurora insulted the students who organized a town hall meeting in Coffman’s district to discuss gun violence—just because ProgressNow Colorado sent out their press release through our servers. [1] The Town Hall For Our Lives was organized by students, and included speakers like Tom Sullivan, whose son was murdered in the Aurora shooting, as well as Tom Mauser and Coni Sanders, who lost family members at Columbine. Sen. Rhonda Fields, whose son was a victim of gun violence in Aurora, also spoke at Saturday’s town hall.

Instead of engaging with the students who organized Saturday’s Town Hall For Our Lives at ThunderRidge High School in Highlands Ranch, Mike Coffman called our organization “hate-inspired” and dismissed everyone involved in the event as political pawns. I can take the cheap shots from political operatives, but the students who organized this powerful event—and the hundreds of Mike Coffman’s constituents who attended—deserve better.

Thanks very much to everyone who showed up on Saturday to demand solutions instead of excuses. Remember Mike Coffman’s contempt for the people he represents in November. And get ready for more great ways to take action for the week of April 9:

Featured event: FAMLI 2018 Lobby Day!

Please join our FAMLI Coalition partners for a FAMLI Lobby Day! During FAMLI Lobby Day we will continue to advocate for our paid leave bill HB18-001 the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act. The FAMLI Act addresses the fact that the United States is the only industrialized country in the world with ZERO WEEKS of paid family leave, and our coalition is leading the way to change this in Colorado!

Where: The Colorado Trust, 1600 Sherman Street, Denver
When: Monday, April 16 at 8:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Gubernatorial Candidate Debate @UNC

Colorado elections are November 6th, do you know who you’re supporting for governor? Three student organizations from the University of Northern Colorado: Student Senate, Bear News, and the Political Science & International Affairs Club are collaborating with the Greeley Tribune to host a Colorado Gubernatorial Debate at UNC. Denver 7News Anchor, Anne Trujillo, and UNC Political Science Lecturer, Dr. Gregory Williams, will moderate. This is an exciting opportunity to learn more from the candidates who are seeking to govern Colorado in the coming years! Doors open at 5:30pm.

Where: UNC University Center, 2101 10th Ave, Greeley
When: Monday, April 9 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

One Colorado: Urgent: Phone Bank to Save the CCRD!

A state senate committee is voting on whether or not to continue the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) on WEDNESDAY, April 11, and the existence of the CCRD in its current form is in jeopardy! Join us at the One Colorado office to urge the committee members to pass a clean reauthorization of the Colorado Civil Rights Division.

Where: One Colorado, 1490 Lafayette St. Suite 304, Denver
When: Tuesday, April 10 at 5:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

Implementing Anti-Oppressive Practices: A Guidebook

At this training, attendees can expect to learn how oppression works institutionally on an internal and external level, and what strategies they and their organizations can use to truly implement anti-oppression in their spaces. This training is welcome to all, but content will be targeted towards non-marginalized identities such as white, straight, and cis, so those groups can learn how they can better support marginalized groups within their institutions. Tickets for this training are $12.

Where: Unity Spiritual Center Denver, 3021 S University Blvd, Denver
When: Wednesday, April 11 at 6:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Sierra Club Lobby Training for Colorado Assembly

On Thursday, April 12, 6:30-8:00pm at the Parker Public Library (in a room that holds 100) the Pinery Dems & Independents will be hosting 2 speakers from the Sierra Club to present: 1. How the Colorado legislature really works 2. As of now, the 4 environmental bills that are being presented in this legislative session 3. How you can influence your legislator’s vote.

Where: Douglas County Libraries, 20105 East Mainstreet, Parker
When: Thursday, April 12 at 6:30pm

Click here to RSVP.

GLSEN Denver Youth Summit

GLSEN Denver presents “Into the Light” Youth Summit! “Into the Light” is a 3-day/2-night retreat that brings together diverse students (9th-12th grade) to network, develop leadership skills, enhance their school’s diversity clubs, and participate in breakout sessions that are relevant to their unique community. Students will hear from a dynamic keynote speaker, participate in leadership development via a high ropes course, zip line, and escape room, and choose breakout sessions that pique their interests. The Talent Show on Saturday night is always a highlight!

Where: Stone Canyon Outdoor EdVentures, 12163 S Perry Park Rd, Larkspur
When: Friday, April 13 – Sunday, April 15

Click here to RSVP.

Bellco 5K registration event

Want to go walk or run the Bellco Colfax 5K? Want it to be for the good cause of reproductive rights? Don’t know where to start or what to do? JOIN PNC and Friends on Friday at Union Station. We will have a few computers and the ability to help you navigate and register for the 5K. Our hope is get at least 40 runners/walkers together to be merry and get in some exercise on May 19th.

Where: Denver’s Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop St, Denver
When: Friday, April 13 at 1:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

2018 March for Science – Denver

The Denver March for Science is holding its second March, rally and teach-in to celebrate and support science, across its many disciplines, and the talented people dedicated to its advancement. We’ll have an assortment of speakers, musicians and tables with live science demonstrations and info. Our event will be fully ADA accessible, and sign language interpreters will be available throughout the speeches and March.

Where: Civic Center Park, Denver
When: Saturday, April 15 at 8:30am

Click here to RSVP.

Restorative Justice and Its Practices

Join us Saturday morning for an invigorating introduction to Restorative Justice and an in-depth look at its practices. Presented by adjunct faculty of the Restorative Justice Institute of the Conflict Center of Denver, the discussion will cover what RJ is not and how it is distinct from criminal justice. The Practices of Restorative Justice offer a means to heal, which can be used in many settings beyond schools.

Where: First Universalist Church of Denver, 4101 E. Hampden Ave., Denver
When: Saturday, April 14 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

National Popular Vote Education event

Learn how National Popular Vote makes it so that the President is the winner of the popular vote in all 50 states. This will make it so that each Presidential candidate will need to appeal to each voter across all 50 states and not to voters in only swing states. Come and learn more about how it works.

Where: 2825 High Street, Denver
When: Saturday, April 14 at 10:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Unrig the System: with beer and Ranked Choice Voting

Join us, Represent Us Denver and Ranked Choice Voting for Colorado with other special guests in a beer election. Beer elections are a great way demonstrate ranked choice voting and meet other organizations, activists and elected officials in discussing how we can unrig our system with ranked choice voting.

Where: Dry Dock Brewing Company, 15120 E Hampden Ave, Aurora
When: Sunday, April 15 at 1:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Dinner & Documentary: Dolores

Free event. (Donations accepted.) Join us for dinner, discussion and community at our monthly documentary viewing event.

Where: Secular Hub, 3100 Downing St, Denver
When: Sunday, April 15 at 5:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

Raising White Kids: An Anti-Racism Conversation for All

Denver Arts & Venues, in partnership with the Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships and the Office of the Mayor, is proud to host the next Denver Talks event. Please mark your calendar to join us for an in-depth discussion with author and educator Jennifer Harvey. Harvey, a professor at Drake University, is a writer, educator and public speaker. Her work focuses on the encounter between religion and ethics, race, gender, activism, politics and spirituality in the U.S. Her greatest passions are racial justice and white anti-racism.

Where: McNichols Civic Center Building, 144 West Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Monday, April 16 at 8:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Puerto Rico: Forging a Path Forward

The destruction inflicted upon the people and the island of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria magnified the lack of understanding the American public has on the status of the Commonwealth, while it also highlighted the unique relationship that exists between the island and the United States government. This conference aims to provide historical context to the Island’s current state of affairs while leveraging expert opinion for recommendations on what should happen next.

Where: Sie International Complex, 5th Floor Maglione Hall, University of Denver
When: Monday, April 16 at 8:00am

Click here to RSVP.

Get the Vote, the ART of Moving Hearts & Minds

You want to serve the public. You have to show up real and clear to get the votes. We can help. 2018 has already been a historic year. Everyone needs to up their game. Whether you are someone who is an experienced advocate for your constituents or someone who is putting their name on the ballot for the first time, your message, your voice, and your communication needs to clearly convey your vision and values. This studio training will focus on one key question: Are your values authentically reflected in how you present yourself and in the stories that you tell voters both in person and on-camera?

Where: 2727 Bryant St. Suite 600, Denver
When: Friday, May 4 at 2:30pm and Friday, May 11 at 3:00pm

Click here to RSVP.

We’re proud to do our small part to help as we all work together to leave our state and nation better than we found it. Nothing we do is inspired by hate. The values we fight for—equality, dignity, opportunity, community—are what have always made America great. It’s an honor to fight for these values every day with all of you. Thanks again.