The Socialist Rifle Association is raising money to help people affected by a pair of natural disasters currently threatening vulnerable people across the state of Colorado.
The Cameron Peak Wildfire has grown to more than 89,000 acres. While it is only threatening a small number of residences right now, if it continues to grow thousands may need to be evacuated. Additionally, the fire is blanketing large swathes of the state in smoke and ash which may be life threatening to those with weakened respiratory systems, especially in tandem with COVID-19. This is even more of a concern for the unhoused, who may be exposed to smoke and ash 24/7.
https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2020/09/07/colorado-wildfires-cameron-peak-fire-spreads-60-000-acres/5737828002/
Making matters worse, following record-breaking temperatures this weekend, Colorado will also experience a cold snap and possible snow storm. During this freak weather event, Boulder PD have decided to evict dozens of unhoused people from a homeless encampment. Many of these people will be forced out of their tents and sleeping bags into a snow storm.
https://nypost.com/2020/09/07/snow-storm-predicted-in-colorado-following-hot-weekend/
https://www.dailycamera.com/2020/09/05/move-along-to-where-some-homeless-in-boulder-hope-camping-ban-is-lifted-following-recent-sweeps/
A coalition of left wing and mutual aid organizations has come together to mount an emergency response to this dual disaster. The Front Range chapter of the SRA, Boulder County DSA, Colorado SAFE, Colorado Mutual Aid and Defense (CMAD), and Friends of the Forsaken are working together to transport vulnerable people, donate supplies, and get people out of the open. The SRA has already donated $2500 to Colorado SAFE to rent hotel rooms for the unhoused people subject to police sweep. We ask for more money to be donated to purchase food, water, sanitary supplies, respirator masks, and filters, as well as to rent more hotel rooms to keep people off the streets while hazardous air quality persists.
With your help we should be able to mitigate some of the worst effects of these disasters for those who are so often overlooked by state and federal aid programs. We keep us safe!