Citizens Project

Freedom Watch Online September 2010
Being a Voice for Religious Freedom

Citizens Project has watched anti-Muslim sentiment reach new heights in the United States. Like millions of Americans, we are concerned, but we also see reason for hope. 

We saw escalating controversy surrounding a planned mosque near Ground Zero. We saw a Florida church make - and then rescind - threats to burn the Quran to commemorate September 11. We saw tensions rise when the Islam holiday Eid Al-Fitr happened to fall on the weekend of September 11.

We saw examples of egregious intolerance, but we also saw the kind of faith and solidarity that flow from the best part of the human spirit.

Citizens Project was here on September 11, 2001, when religious extremists orchestrated one of the most devastating attacks in US history. We were here in 1992, when attempts to legalize discrimination against lesbians and gays in our community nearly succeeded. And Citizens Project is still here today, because we believe that the First Amendment right to religious freedom has never been more important.

You can count on Citizens Project to fight for religious freedom in the Pikes Peak region and beyond. We will stand with faith leaders in support of all faith communities. We will create space on our web site for diverse and courageous voices, like Elmurad Kasym's. And we will reach out to local leaders and citizens to ensure they have the best tools to uphold separation of church and state.

Citizens Project invites you, our friends and supporters, to join your voice with ours in support of religious freedom in our community. Sound off on our blog. Share your story with us. Report incidences of religious discrimination, and let us know how groups are working together to make our community a better, more inclusive place.


Together, we are making a difference.

Kristy Milligan, Executive Director
You're Invited: Citizens Project Election Forums

Citizens Project, in conjunction with the Colorado Springs Independent, will be hosting two Election Education Forums to engage and inform the local community on the decisions they'll be asked to make on the November ballot. The forums will be held on Wednesday, October 6 and Tuesday, October 19, from 5 - 7 pm at Stargazers Theatre and Event Center.

You are invited to join us at these free Forums to get infromation about your choices on the 2010 ballot. The Forums will include pro and con supporters for ballot measures and candidates up for election answering questions from a local media panel that includes representatives from: KRCC, The Independent, The Gazette and the Colorado Springs Business Journal

Election Education Forum

Wednesday October 6, 2010, 5 - 7pm
Stargazers Theater

Featuring County Commission District 5 Candidates Peggy Littleton and Mike Merrifield, El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Candidates Tom Mowle and Wayne Williams, Fiscal Measures 60, 61, and 101, and the El Paso County Medical Marijuana measure

Election Education Forum
Tuesday October 19, 2010, 5 - 7pm
Stargazers Theater

Featuring State Legislature Candidates Pete Lee and Karen Cullen, Ballot Measure 62, and the Colorado Springs Strong Mayor proposal

Additional support for the Election Education Forum provided by: 9to5, National Association of Working Women - Colorado, Artemis Women, Colorado College, Colorado Springs Branch NAACP, Inside/Out Youth Services, League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region, One Colorado, Pikes Peak Equality Coalition, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, and the Women's Resource Agency.

Citizens Project to Educate Religious Leaders on Electioneering

When someone makes a tax-deductible donation to a church or charity, they know that such donations come with the promise they will not be used for partisan political electioneering. Donors count on that promise, but understanding what's legal and what's not for churches around elections can be daunting. That's why Citizens Project will distribute information clarifying IRS laws for tax-exempt organizations to more than 400 churches in the Pikes Peak region early next week.

Faith leaders in the Pikes Peak region will receive a letter signed by Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, detailing some of the limitations of 501 (c) 3 organizations when it comes to election-related lobbying. The letter also provides additional resources for further research into politics and the pulpit.

To learn more about what churches and charities can-and cannot-do around elections, please visit projectfairplay.org.

Citizens Project thanks longtime volunteer Bob Miner for making this mailing possible.
Get Involved

9to5, the National Association of Working Women, is hiring canvassers, and is in need of office space to house the new staff in Colorado Springs. The organization will provide phones, computers, and all necessary equipment, they just need a space with access to phone lines and internet.
 
If you're interested in helping the organization find a home for its newest staff members, please contact Erin Bennett at 303-628-0925. For more information, visit  www.9to5colorado.org. We hope you can help!

The Colorado Springs Branch NAACP is accepting nominations for its 2010 Awards of Excellence
 to be presented October 9 during the Freedom Fund Community Awards Gala at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. 


Nomination forms -- and award criteria -- may be obtained at the NAACP Branch Office, 603 S. El Paso, by calling Lessie Daniel at 475-7255 or by emailing [email protected].

Nomination deadline is September 16.

In This Issue
Being a Voice for Religious Freedom
Election Education Forums
Churches and Electioneering
Get Involved
Articles of Interest
 
A No-Decision in Tuition Tax Credit Case?
August 20, 2010
SCOTUSblog
read it here

Anti-Bullying Measures Spark Controversy

September 11, 2010
KRDO
read it here

Religion-Based Groups Protest Restrictions in Bill
August 25, 2010
The New York Times
read it here

Is Religious Freedom a Casualty at Ground Zero?
August 10, 2010
Religious Dispatches Magazine

read it here
Recent CP Blog Posts
Join the Conversation

On Islam, and Being a Muslim in America
read it here

Use Your Voice: Cast Your Vote
read it here
Upcoming Events
  
Jim Hightower Speaks in Colorado Springs
Friday, September 17, 4:45pm
Colorado College Cornerstone Theater, Colorado Spring
s, Cascade and Cache de Poudre Ave (Free)
Friday, September 17 6pm
IBEW Union Hall, 2150 Naegele Rd, Colorado Springs
($35/person, includes dinner)
[email protected]

2010 Quality of Life Report Rollout!
Monday, September 20, 2010
10:30pm. - News conference

  11:00pm - Community Social 
Pikes Peak United Way - 518 N. Nevada Ave. Colorado Springs

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Debate
Monday, September 20
6pm - 7pm 
Colorado Springs Christian School Auditorium, 4845 Mallow Rd., Colorado Springs
Free admission

NAACP Freedom Fund Community Awards Gala 

6 pm, October 9, 2010, Crowne Plaza Hotel

Reception/Elegant Dinner/Awards Presentation

Entertainment by Ron Ivory & The Members Only Show Band

$65 per person, $650 Table of Ten. Email for more information 

CO C3 Roundtable Ballot Tour
Two ballot initiative forums will be coming your way this fall:
Tuesday, October 12, 5:30pm
Thatcher Building Board Room
503 Main Street, Pueblo
Wednesday, October 13 5:30pm
Location TBA, Colorado Springs


Please check out
our events calendar for more upcoming events!
Did you know?

National Hispanic Heritage Month is from September 15 to October 15!  This year's theme is "Heritage,  Diversity, Integrity and Honor: The Renewed Hope of America."

Find Hispanic Heritage Month events and many others here!
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Gazette Partners
The Gazette is a valued partner of Citizens Project and they are extending a special offer to our supporters. Click on the link above to subscribe to The Gazette and they will donate $25 to Citizens Project. You can stay up-to-date on all your local news, and support us at the same time!
 
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GLFCO