Ready to take action to build the community, state and nation you want, but not sure what to do next? Here are some opportunities for political activism this week.
Start local by getting to know your county supervisors and city council
Linn County Supervisors meeting
Jean Oxley Linn County Public Service Center, 935 Second St SW, Cedar Rapids — Wednesday, March 8 at 10 a.m.
Johnson County Supervisors meeting
Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City — Tuesday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Iowa City Council meeting
City Hall — Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
City councils and county supervisors make decisions that impact your community. Check out a meeting to see what local-level decisions are being considered, and bend the ear of the people making them.
Get involved with a political party
Johnson County Republicans meeting
Miller Learning Center, 2010 Keokuk St, Iowa City — Monday, March 6 at 6 p.m.
See what the local Republican Party is all about and how to get involved at a meeting of the Johnson County Republicans.
Building Blocks listening post
Coralville Public Library — Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m.
Tell the Democratic Party what’s important to you at a listening post. The Building Blocks project was initiated by U.S. Congressman Dave Loebsack, featuring listening posts across the state where Iowans can share what’s on their minds.
Tap in to the activist community in Linn County
CR Solidarity in Motion meeting
Marion Public Library — Monday, March 6 at 6 p.m.
Build connections and get to work with an action-oriented group that tracks and supports local organizations and candidates who share their goals, and works together to make change through political action. CR Solidarity in Motion came about as a result of the 2016 election.
Find out who’s really writing some conservative legislation in Iowa
State Capture: How Conservative Activists, Big Businesses and Wealthy Donors are Reshaping the American States — and the Nation
University of Iowa Shambaugh Auditorium — Tuesday, March 7 at 7 p.m.
The Iowa Policy Project hosts Alexander Hertel-Fernandez from Columbia University, who will discuss the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), the State Policy Network and Americans for Prosperity.
Share your thoughts with state legislators and members of Congress
Sen. Ernst’s traveling office hours
Cedar Rapids Public Library — Wednesday, March 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Sen. Joni Ernst’s staff are coming to Cedar Rapids and they want to hear from you. Ernst will not be present.
Swisher legislative listening post
Swisher Community Library — Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m.
North Liberty legislative listening post
North Liberty Community Library — Saturday, March 11 at 11:15 a.m.
Share your thoughts with Iowa State Sen. Kevin Kinney (D-Oxford) and State Rep. Amy Nielsen (D-North Liberty) at listening posts in North Liberty and Swisher
Strike for women’s rights
A Day Without a Woman
Wednesday, March 8
The group that organized the post-inauguration Women’s March is encouraging women all over the world to stay home from work, avoid shopping and wear red on International Women’s Day.
Stand up for Iowa workers
Protect Our Wages / Protejamos Nuestro Salarios
Iowa City Ped Mall — Wednesday, March 8 at 4:30 p.m.
Join the Center for Worker Justice to demand answers from businesses in Iowa City who have actively lobbied in favor of House File 295, which could result in a lower minimum wage for Johnson County.
Johnson County Minimum Wage Advisory Committee meeting
Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S Dubuque St, Iowa City — Wednesday, March 8 at 6:30 p.m.
Find out how Johnson County plans to move forward regarding the minimum wage at this public meeting.
Stand with Standing Rock and support indigenous rights
Rise With Standing Rock Native Nations Rally
Iowa State Capitol — Friday, March 10 at 11:30 a.m.
If you’re up for a drive to Des Moines, this march was organized in solidarity with a national march taking place this week in D.C.
Learn about the costs of privatizing public education
Education, Inc. screening
Iowa City Public Library — Friday, March 10 at 6 p.m.
Watch the film, then join a discussion about who wins, loses and profits from privatized public schools.
Hear from the experts about how to run for office
Learn to Lead: Elected Officials Share how to Run for Office
Cedar Rapids Public Library — Saturday, March 11 at 2 p.m.
State Rep. Liz Bennett, State Sen. Rob Hogg, John Laverty of the Cedar Rapids Board of Education, Cedar Rapids City Councilman Scott Overland, Linn County Supervisor Stacey Walker, Libby Slappey of 50-50 in 2020 and Kim Reem of Ready to Run Iowa have a lot to say about how to run for office. The event is free to the public, but space is limited. Register here.
Find out how to be an effective activist
ACLU People Power Action Event
Iowa City Public Library — Saturday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m.
302 E 4th St, Solon — Saturday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m.
Kirkwood Regional Training Center, 1770 Boyson Rd, Hiawatha — Saturday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m.
Sign up ahead of time to attend a resistance training. This event will launch People Power, a new grassroots organizing effort by the ACLU.
