In the last week, Trump has plunged to unthinkable new lows, refusing to condemn the white supremacists responsible for the violence in Charlottesville, Virginia and falsely insisting that “many sides” are responsible for the upsurge in hatred and racism that has swept the nation since he took office.
This has happened too many times now to be an accident. These terrible words and actions from our nation’s highest office are not ‘gaffes,’ but what this man really believes. Elections matter, and now we are seeing the results of what could be the worst decision American voters have ever made.
At the same time, something important is happening in response to Trump and the far right’s actions. This weekend, Colorado progressives and the Indivisible coalition sat down with Black Lives Matter and the community at Denver’s Shorter Community AME Church to talk frankly about what it will take to do away with racism in America once and for all. The conversation didn’t end there, it just began again—as it has in other troubled moments in American history that led to great progress.
No matter how bad it gets in the headlines, your activism is making a difference every day. Awareness of racism and other divisive influences in American culture is higher than ever before. The tide of public opinion is turning against the far right. 2018 is coming fast.
Never give up. Keep the pressure on. Here are ways to take action for the week of August 21st:
Moving Forward: Beyond Paris
Feeling discouraged by the recent federal actions on climate change? Don’t let the president’s action dampen your spirit and our collective progress. Join us to learn how we can ensure the U.S. meets our reduction goals by staying informed and engaging in local action! Congresswoman Diana DeGette will moderate a panel discussion focusing on federal and local climate action.
Where: Alliance For Sustainable Colorado, 1536 Wynkoop St, Denver
When: Monday, August 21 at 5:30pm
PART 2! Spotlight On! Anti Oppression & Collective Liberation
We’re excited to annouce that in the month of August we’ll spend reading The Culturally Inclusive Educator by Dena Samuels. And on Tuesday, Aug 22nd, mark your calendars, because we’ll have Dr. Samuels herself join us for a Q and A about the concepts laid out in her book. We’ll also take a look at the direction we personally and organizationally are moving in and see if adjustments are necessary. All are welcome, but we will focus on the Immigrant Rights Movement in Colorado specifically.
Where: 1420 Ogden St, Denver
When: Tuesday, Agust 22 at 5:00pm
PPRM: Sex, Politics & Cocktails
This event is being put on by Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. Without much attention – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – a program that protects nearly 800,000 Dreamers from deportation and provides them work authorization has come under immediate attack. Ten Republican attorney generals released a letter threatening to sue the President if he doesn’t end DACA by September 5th. Immigrants – no matter the status of their paperwork – are Planned Parenthood patients, providers, neighbors, and supporters. Join us at this month’s Sex, Politics, and Cocktails and learn how to fight injustice by standing with immigrant communities.
Where: Location upon RSVP
When: Tuesday, August 22 at 6:00pm
Colorado Jobs with Justice Movement Trivia Night
Join Colorado Jobs With Justice for a Movement Trivia Night. Test your knowledge of the labor movement and politics against other community members. Join a team and battle it out for trivia supremacy and take home the grand prize! Don’t miss out, RSVP today!
Where: Sheet Metal Workers Apprenticeship School of Colorado, 1515 W 47th Ave, Denver
When: Tuesday, August 22 at 6:00pm
Warm Cookies of the Revolution’s Sin Tax Bingo!
The 1970’s were full of home cooked meals, power ballads, and Bingo halls. (Also wars and civil rights struggles and disco) We’re getting nostalgic while eating some delicious food and playing some serious B-I-N-G-O! Come find out how tax dollars from “sins” like gambling and marijuana and cigarettes and soda are collected, spent, and who decides?
Where: McNichols Building, 144 W Colfax Ave, Denver
When: Thursday, August 24 at 6:00pm
2018 AAYLC Planning Committee Meeting
The 2018 African American Youth Leadership Conference will be held on 10 March 2018. Please join us in the planning process to ensure the 2018 Conference is a success!
Where: Downtown YMCA, 207 North Nevada Avenue, Colorado Springs
When: Thursday, August 24 at 7:00pm
Sock Drop for Homeless Youth
Bring new socks, toiletries — and especially needed this year — boxer shorts, for Urban Peak Youth experiencing homelessness to Little Man Ice Cream in LoHi. There will be ICE CREAM, LIVE MUSIC and SWING DANCERS all evening in appreciation of your generosity and big hearts! Drop off 10AM to 10PM, ice cream ’till 1AM.
Where: Little Man Ice Cream, 2620 16th St, Denver
When: Saturday, August 26 at 10:00am
4th Annual Latino Legacy Celebration
The Jefferson County Democratic Latino Initiative is proud to recognize outstanding leaders in the Latinx Community!
Where: Denver Marriott West, 1717 Denver West Blvd, Golden
When: Saturday, August 26 at 11:00am
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
Women’s Equality Day Benefit
Join For Folx Sake on Women’s Equality Day for an evening of delicious food and fanciful drinks at White Lies, one of Denver’s favorite dinner locales, all benefiting Emerge Colorado! Women’s Equality Day commerates the certification of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote in the United States. As we celebrate this day, we acknowledge that the women’s suffrage movement was not without its faults, including denigrating black men and excluding black women from participation. There is still so much work to do to make sure folx of color, trans folx, gender non-conforming, and gender queer folx have their voting rights realized, and Emerge Colorado is expanding the pools of amazing people who are trained to run for public office and do that work.
Where: White Lies DNVR, 800 Sherman St, Denver
When: Saturday, August 26 at 5:00pm
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
The Ally Awards 2017
One Colorado Education Fund will host its signature fundraising event The Ally Awards. The evening will culminate in an awards presentation to allies who work to advance equality and make a substantive difference in the lives of LGBTQ Coloradans. The evening will kick off with a cocktail party on the pool terrace of the Four Seasons with a hosted bar, and heavy passed/stationed hors d’oeuvres. Guests will then move to the Four Seasons ballroom and attendees will enjoy an awards ceremony with special guest speakers, delectable desserts, and champagne.
Where: Four Seasons, 1111 14th St, Denver
When: Saturday, August 26 at 6:30pm
Click here for more information and to buy tickets.
A special word of thanks to the capacity crowds of Coloradans who showed up last week in Colorado Springs, Greeley, and Lakewood to hold Sen. Cory Gardner accountable. After almost a year and a half of hiding from the voters he represents in the U.S. Senate, last week’s town halls proved how out of touch Gardner is with Colorado. Gardner even tried to play for sympathy after the crowds at all three events rejected his half-truths and bad excuses, but all he did is remind Colorado why he deserves his 24% approval rating.
Watch your inbox for updates, and we’ll see you next week with more ways to fight back.
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