01/11/21 - Missouri Mondays - Democracy in Peril: Speak Out Against Dangerous Election Fraud Lies
The Good, the Bad, and the Unforgivable
This week held both celebration and terrible trauma. We witnessed with relief when Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock were both elected to the U.S. Senate, and we celebrated the phenomenal accomplishment of Stacey Abrams and countless volunteers who helped break the hold of systemic voter suppression.
But we also watched in horror as an armed mob of domestic terrorists vandalized and dishonored our Capitol, endangering lives and resulting in five deaths. This unforgivable attempt to overthrow our government was the fruit of the dangerous rhetoric and actions of those men who have fed lies and misinformation to the American public in an attempt to further their own ambition. Unfortunately, one of those leaders is our own Missouri senator, Josh Hawley. He and his cohorts have continued to incite supporters with their vicious lies and attempts to overturn a fair and legal election. Both the Kansas City Star and the St. Louis Dispatch have called for his resignation or removal. In spite of Hawley’s actions, he cannot be recalled. Senators can only be removed by resignation or a 2/3 vote of the senate.
What can we do to hold Sen. Hawley accountable?
Help spread the word to remove Josh Hawley now through social media by using the hashtag #RemoveNow.
Sample message:
This attack by a vigilante mob in our Capitol is happening because of the direct incitement of some Republicans and the silence of others. We demand all Republicans who incited these acts of violence resign or be removed from office. #RemoveNow
Send a direct message to Josh Hawley
Sample tweet: @hawleyMO By inciting this violent attack on our Capitol, you’ve betrayed your office, our country, and the will of the people. I am calling on you to resign immediately. #RemoveNow
Send a direct message to your representative:
Sample demand tweet @ legislators (add in your Member): .@RepXXX Republican Members of Congress who incited this mob attack on our Capitol betrayed their office, our country, and the will of the people. I call on you to support @RepCori’s resolution to remove them from office. #RemoveNow
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2021 Missouri Legislative session begins, GOP Secy of State continues election fraud lies
In a speech last week to the MO House on the first day of the Missouri General Assembly 2021 session, Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft doubled-down on the President’s lies about election fraud in states won by Biden. Ashcroft said, "Public access to and public confidence in the integrity of our elections are fundamental components of enduring freedom. Unforeseen challenges of 2020 disrupted the sacred democratic process in many settings across the country. Missouri was able to conduct elections in a manner that was able to reinforce, rather than undermine confidence of citizens. Even as we look back on our seamless election process, our country remains in turmoil over how other states' elections were run." He criticized government officials who would "embrace and mimic election processes that we have seen in Georgia, Arizona, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. He continued with the President’s false claims, “These states fail to conduct their elections in such a manner that neither successful nor unsuccessful candidates can demonstrably verify the results” never acknowledging all the states verified their results and nearly 60 court challenges were thrown out. News Tribune Jan 6
Take action! Tell Secretary of State Ashcroft to stop spreading the President’s dangerous election fraud lies in order to:
1. Undermine confidence in vote by mail
2. To justify keeping an unsafe and complicated system in place that puts obstacles in the way of Missouri voters!
Office: (573) 751-4936
Email: info@sos.mo.gov
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Help protect the right to vote in Missouri with the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC)!
*The Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) is a nonpartisan statewide network working to protect the right to vote in Missouri, promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting.
*Text MOVPC to 66866 to sign up for email updates! Check out this MOVPC email packed with important information and calls to action https://mailchi.mp/2ab050459666/stand-up-for-democracy
*The next MOVPC meeting is TODAY MON JAN 11, 2021 at 10am, kicking off DEMOCRACY WEEK, a week of action in support of H.R. 1 - For The People Act which will get big money out of politics, break down barriers to voting, and hold public officials accountable. There will also be a training by Laura Williamson, Senior Policy Analyst at Demos on A Racial Equity Analysis of H.R. 1, and we will hear from folks under the dome in Jefferson City about what we can expect in this year's Missouri Legislative Session.
*Sign the MOVPC Petition Urging Gov. Parson to Extend Safe COVID-19 Voting Protections! With the municipal elections coming up in March and April 2021 and the pandemic at record levels, Gov. Parson should exercise his emergency authority under 44.100 RSMo to extend safe voting options such as absentee voting for those at high risk, remote voting options for all Missourians! SIGN THE PETITION AND PLEASE SHARE WIDELY! https://actionnetwork.org/.../tell-gov-parson-to-extend…
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Although we mourn the losses and the tragedy we have witnessed this week, we must also acknowledge that we have begun a new chapter in our nation’s history. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as President and Vice President on January 20. This we can celebrate! Let us celebrate through service to others.
YOU'RE INVITED to join Kansas City area volunteers for the Joseph R. Biden Presidential Inaugural Committee's Together We Serve national day of action to lift up our communities and serve our neighbors. Our "event" will take place over the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday Weekend, January 16-18.
Sign up via this link and you will be contacted with detailed information about how you can help with the Rose Brooks Domestic Violence Shelter Toiletry Drive
If you live in the Kansas City area, your contributions of toiletry items for Rose Brooks can be picked up at your house, you can deliver them to the host, or you can contribute directly to Rose Brooks Center, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. with the Biden Inaugural Committee's National Day of Action.
We'll have an Appreciation Zoom Celebration on Monday, January 18, at 6:00 pm, for those who have helped with this very important cause.
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MO COVID UPDATE
According to the MO Dept of Health and Senior Services as of Sunday January 10 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Misouri rose to 423,327, an increase of 21,566 new cases since Jan 3. This is far from over so please stay safe and always wear your mask in public.
Jackson County Residents - Are you interested in receiving the COVID-19 Vaccine?Fill out this survey on the Jackson County Health Department website https://form.jotform.com/203524953651153 Based on availability, and guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (MO DHSS) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Jackson County Health Department will be providing the COVID-19 vaccine based on a pre-determined tier system. Individuals will be identified to receive the vaccine based on risk status and occupation.Once the vaccine is made available for your tier, the JCHD will use your information from the survey to contact you with further instructions on how to schedule an appointment to receive your vaccination.
