Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
A nonprofit grass-roots organization that works for community betterment will teach African-Americans how to participate in the Iowa caucuses.
“Many people are uninformed on how to caucus,” said Amber Martin, a project coordinator for the Des Moines chapter of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.
The group has targeted blacks through radio ads and fliers and hopes 150 people will attend the free training, which will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2005 Forest Ave. The Iowa caucuses will be held on Jan. 3.
It’s difficult to gauge how many blacks have participated in past Iowa caucuses because the question is not asked of caucus-goers. Representatives for Iowa’s Republican and Democratic parties said they don’t collect racial data on caucus-goers. Polls of “likely caucus-goers” are not accurate in determining caucus participation, according to a Drake University associate professor of political science. A spokesperson from the State Library’s Census Data Center also said no census data is collected that would reflect the race of caucus-goers.
Even so, Iowa’s black leaders said it’s critical that more blacks familiarize themselves with the process and begin to participate so that candidates — and eventually the next president — address the problems facing black Iowans, such as the disparate number of blacks in prison, high unemployment rate and ineffective schools, among others.
“Blacks should go to the caucus in mounting numbers,” said Michael Blackwell, vice-chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party’s Black Caucus. “Every black person should vote because of the disproportionate incarceration of African-Americans in this state. We need to make sure that we select a candidate who is aware of that and who is able to develop proposals and resolutions to stop jailing a disparate number of African-American males in this community.”
Participating in the caucuses and voting are ways blacks can ensure their voices are heard, he said. During the caucuses, blacks also can help form resolutions about the problems they want their party to tackle, he added.
Last Saturday, Abraham Funchess, division administrator of the Iowa Commission on the Status of African-Americans, urged 150 attendees at the Ongoing Covenant with Black Iowa Summit to participate in the caucuses.
Community activist and retired teacher Veola Perry also told summit-goers that blacks historically “don’t go to caucus” but should.
“Be on time,” she said. “This is our year — and we’ve got to get out and caucus and take one or two people with you.”
During the caucuses voters gather in public buildings, such as schools. Participants identify which candidate they support for president, elect delegates to county conventions and make resolutions. The process, which differs some for Republicans and Democrats, provides a glimpse of the viability of a candidate.
Training blacks to participate in the process is important “so that our issues can be heard and the right candidate is in office,” said Martin.
Saturday’s training includes a discussion on the caucus process and mock caucuses for each party. A light lunch will be served. Voter registration information will also be provided.
The training precedes the Heartland Presidential Forum on Dec. 1. The group is a co-sponsor of the forum, which will be held at 1:30 p.m., Dec. 1 at HyVee Hall, 730 3rd St., in Des Moines.
For more information about either event, call Martin at (515) 255-0800 or visit the website at www.iowacci.org.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter