Member spotlight

What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for?

Stephen Tews, Davis County

"In high school, I remember reading a brief account of the Haymarket Square ‘riot’ in US history. Though it was merely a few paragraphs, it stuck with me. That protest rally’s goal was to establish an 8-hour workday. These protesters, like us, were looking out for their interests, but also aimed at creating a better life and opportunities for their kids and grandkids.

My first introduction to Iowa CCI was in the early 2000’s when Bruce Rastetter came down to Davis County to build more of his factory farms. I was invited to learn more about the issue and what we could do to challenge these CAFOs. I’ve grown more involved and learned much since then.

Some of the memories that stick with me to this day were our protests and rallies following the Great Recession of 2008. CCI, along with many other groups, protested at the American Bankers Association convention in Chicago, protested against big-bank greed in Kansas City, here in Iowa and notably in Washington, D.C. where 3,000 of us shutdown the infamous K Street chanting “banks got bailed out, we got sold out.”

Many issues we advocate for may not affect me personally, but the changes needed will make civil society better for “we the people.” It is good of us to stimulate people’s thinking about how a situation we are protesting may affect them as well.”