Immigrant's Rights
Members and the public are invited to our virtual meeting for a presentation on safeguarding immigrants’ civil rights. Guest speaker Shana Tracy of the Arapahoe & Douglas Counties chapter of the League will explain the state league's action plan that enables individuals and groups to advocate for the immigrant community as the new presidential administration enacts its immigration policies. This plan includes organizing and supporting visible responses to any deportation raids or actions and working with immigrant rights organizations.
Tracy notes that while many misinformed people believe that all undocumented immigrants are criminals, the truth is that they are the group least likely to be incarcerated. “It’s important that people know their rights,” she said. “The Constitution applies to everyone, whether they are here legally or not.” Nationally, the League of Women Voters supports federal immigration laws that provide efficient, expeditious systems for immigrants to enter the United States.
Religious Freedom Task Force
The League of Women Voters of Colorado (LWVCO) believes that the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the US Constitution are cornerstones of religious freedom in a healthy democracy. We believe that the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause may be threatened by religious nationalism.
The charge of this study group is to determine the need for a position statement by LWVCO on the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. To better understand this need, the study group performed a literature review including historical perspectives related to the separation of church and state and free exercise of religion in Colorado and the US. Our study group researched contemporary examples of the influence of religion on local, state, and national governance. We also studied the freedom (or lack) of Colorado and US citizens to openly exercise their religious beliefs.
Climate Change
Resilience to climate change was the topic for the League of Women Voters March 21 meeting. UNC climate scientist Dr. Cindy Shellito spoke about how to respond to the global climate challenge and helped us understand how to apply practical knowledge to adapt and reduce negative impacts locally. Dr. Shellito and her team are working on projects at the University of Northern Colorado to build climate change resilience. View the video on our You Tube Channel.
League Participation and Leadership Updates
Rooted in the movement that secured the right to vote for women, the League of Women Voters is a non-partisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government by working to educate voters and to increase understanding of major public policy issues, including protecting and engaging voters, reforming money in politics, and defending the environment. Sign up to get national League of Women Voters updates.
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100th Anniversary Celebrations
In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters and the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the Greeley-Weld County League, the cities of Evans, Colorado, and Greeley, Colorado, honored the local League with proclamations recognizing our achievements over the past century. Our thanks and appreciation to the leadership of Greeley and Evans for their recognition of the service the League of Women Voters provides for the county.
Taking a Position
The League of Women Voters takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause.
Positions result from a process of study. Any given study, whether it be National, State, or Local, is thorough in its pursuit of facts and details. As the study progresses, a continuing discussion of pros and cons of each situation occurs. Prior to the results of the study being presented to the general membership, study committee members fashion consensus questions that are then addressed by the membership.
Additional discussion, pro and con, takes place as members (not part of the study committee) learn the scope of the study. After the members reach consensus, the board forms positions based on that consensus.
It is the consensus statement – the statement resulting from the consensus questions – that becomes a position. Firm action or advocacy can then be taken on the particular issue addressed by the position. Without a position, action/advocacy cannot be taken.
