INCITE! Denver
Denver, CO
Contact:
INCITE! Denver is a chapter of INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence, a national activist organization of radical feminists of color advancing a movement to end violence against women of color and their communities through direct action, critical dialogue and grassroots organizing. INCITE! Denver merged with Ending Colonial Legacies (ECL) a Denver based, women of color led initiative that has worked toward dismantling the legacy of colonialism & eventual abolishment of Columbus Day through non-violent resistance and political education.
- In October 2005 a group of concerned community members throughout in Denver planned and hosted Ending Colonial Legacies: Indigenous Visions for the Future to discuss alternatives to Columbus Day & address issues pertinent to American Indian leadership and identity.
- In October 2006, the ECL organizers hosted Ending Colonial Legacies II: Honoring Women Warriors where we centered the experiences of Native women to address the growing epidemic of violence against them. ECL, being a women of color led collective, broadened its focus from abolishing a holiday to challenging a primary building block of colonization – patriarchy.
- In October 2007 INCITE! Denver/ECL hosted approximately 175 participants INCITE!/Ending Colonial Legacies - Southwest Regional Gathering. The gathering centered the experiences of Indigenous women from tribal nations located within the Southwestern United States. We had 15 workshops and events spanning three days and three venues. We had nearly 30 presenters including those who traveled from various communities across Indian Country.
- Our October 10-12 2008 annual gathering will focus on the theme of healing mind, body, spirit and the environment. Therefore we have begun organizing the INCITE!/ECL Women of Color Healing & Activism Mountain Retreat. This retreat will focus on expanding and strengthening our organizing networks with our sisters across Colorado and New Mexico. The retreat will be held in Northern Colorado amid pines and aspen groves, with a maximum of 90 participants staying in newly built cabins, with interactive sessions held in the main lodge and outdoors. Free childcare and activities, as well as three meals a day will be included in the package. The registration fee for adults is on a sliding scale basis of $20-$50, however we will not turn anyone away due to inability to pay, although space is limited. Children, youth and elders will be admitted for free. All participants and their children will be provided breakfast and lunch at no additional cost. We will organize carpools and provide a mileage stipend for those who need assistance covering the costs of gas. We are looking to successful grant writing efforts, grassroots fundraising efforts, & sponsorships to underwrite these costs.
In addition to the retreat, INCITE! Denver is hosting monthly book forums from March to August discussing the book The Revolution Will Not Be Funded: Beyond the Nonprofit Industrial Complex. We are gearing up for our second summer of our "Fix Broken Policing Campaign," where we photograph, document, survey, and challenge aggressive policing methods known as “broken windows policing.” Local organizers will renew efforts this summer to develop organizing strategies to not only resist law enforcement violence, but also to build strong, safe communities that don't rely on violent policing. Our potluck meetings are held the first Saturday of the month at 11am-2pm, and convened on a rotating basis in member’s homes.
For more information, please contact our communications coordinator, Stefany Minor at: