01/15/24 Missouri Mondays - Answer the call to honor Dr. King with service and continue the fight for democracy and justice for all!
Welcome to Missouri Mondays!
On this day of remembrance and celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we begin with a call to action for all Americans from President Biden. “Today, we reflect on the life and legacy of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and recommit to honoring his moral vision on the path to redeeming the soul of our Nation.” "The battle for the soul of our Nation is perennial — a constant struggle between hope and fear, kindness and cruelty, and justice and injustice. There are still those who seek to thwart progress and roll back our rights as Americans. But Dr. King and countless crusaders across the span of American history teach us that each generation must answer the call to perfect our Union. We must heed the whispers of our better angels. We must see each other as neighbors and not enemies. We must do our best to seek a life of light, hope, and truth. Because nothing is guaranteed about our democracy. We must fight to keep, defend, and protect it.” Read the full MLK Day 2024 proclamation here: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2024/01/12/a-proclamation-on-martin-luther-king-jr-federal-holiday-2024/
There is so much at stake for our state and our country and together we can make a difference! Each week we will continue to provide resources, upcoming events and ways to get involved that we hope you will find meaningful. Thank you for staying informed, taking action, and sharing this link to sign up for Missouri Mondays weekly email bit.ly/3pF99Uw.
UPCOMING EVENTS - ACTIONS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
NO MOVPC MEETING TODAY IN HONOR OF MLK DAY - JOIN US NEXT WEEK
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the MOVPC weekly online meeting MONDAYS at 10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: bit.ly/protectmovoters
Missouri lawmakers returned to Jefferson City and wasted no time advancing legislation that threatens our state’s open primaries and long-standing citizen-initiative process. On the plus side, we have the opportunity to advance pro-active legislation restoring voting rights to those on probation and parole and protect our dedicated election workers from threats and harassment.
Join our next MOVPC call where we will discuss the necessary steps in our fight to protect the right to vote in Missouri. MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri! Register here!
MOVPC 2024 Missouri Legislative Tracker
See a breakdown of elections related bills on MOVPC's Voting Rights Legislative Tracker here: bit.ly/movotingbills
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URGENT! BEFORE WED JAN 17 CALL AND SUBMIT TESTIMONY OPPOSING MO HOUSE GOP BILLS ATTACKING LGBTQ MISSOURIANS!
The most extreme GOP legislators will again be attacking Missouri’s vulnerable LGBTQIA+ communities and attempting to pass bills further legalizing discrimination. These bills and others like them encourage hatred and incite violence against transgender people and have major economic impacts on the state. The GOP’s continued hate-fueled assault on the LGBTQ community will discourage new business investment in our communities and keep skilled labor from moving into the state.
CALL the Missouri House Emerging Issues Committee members below AND SUBMIT TESTIMONY BEFORE WEDNESDAY JAN 17 opposing these bills and similar legislation. Link to submit testimony here:
Rep. Bill Hardwick 573-751-3834
Rep. Dane Diehl 573-751-4065
Rep. Bishop Davidson 573-751-2381
Rep. Jeff Farnan 573-751-9465
Rep. Sherri Gallick 573-751-1344
Rep. Mike Haffner 573-751-3783
Rep. Dave Hinman 573-751-2176
Rep. Josh Hurlbert 573-751-0246
Rep. Holly Jones 573-751-7535
Rep. Adam Schnelting 573-751-5365
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League of Women Voters of Missouri
New Ways to Pick Preferred Presidential Candidates in 2024
Informational Webinar
Wednesday, January 17
6:30pm Missouri GOP
7:30pm Missouri Democratic Party
Join the webinar here using this link and passcode 2024: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gnY6O_x1od9ETwS1m6UiEBiPGZbm99YW/view
The League will host an informational webinar for voters on changes in Missouri's presidential selection process on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Chris Grahn-Howard will share information on the GOP's March 2 caucus at 6:30 p.m. Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Matthew Patterson will be sharing the latest on its March 23 election at 7:30 p.m. Click here for information on the speakers.
Many Missouri voters don't know that the General Assembly eliminated the state’s March presidential primary and turned the process over to the political parties in 2022.
DEMOCRATS: The party will set up polling places on Saturday, March 23. Participants must be registered to vote and can’t be registered with another party.
GOP: A Republican caucus on March 2 will be similar to how Iowa selects delegates. Neither party affiliation nor registration are required, but participants must be registered to vote.
For information on changing your voter registration to add your party affiliation, go to https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register or contact your local election authority. To find your election authority go here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority
A recording of the webinar will be available on this site https://my.lwv.org/missouri/event/new-ways-pick-preferred-presidential-candidates-2024
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MLK DAY JANUARY 15, 2024
Learn more about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement
The King Center - https://thekingcenter.org/
National Park Service - https://www.nps.gov/malu/index.htm
National Museum of African American History and Culture - https://nmaahc.si.edu/about/news/national-museum-african-american-history-and-culture-kicks-january-2024-dynamic
Ways to Get Involved and Honor Dr. King
Join MLK Day of Service Events (United Way of Greater Kansas City) - https://unitedwaygkc.org/2024/01/04/mlk-day-of-service/
Help Support United Way of Greater KC Community Partners https://unitedwaygkc.org/community-partners-directory/
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The Greater Kansas City Women’s Political Caucus Campaign School
Saturday, January 20, 2024
9AM - 3PM
Sylvester Powell Community Center
6200 Martway St
Mission, KS 66202
The GKCWPC Campaign School is an annual event focusing on supporting women who are interested in running for office and for people interested in working on campaigns at all levels of government. The event, which will be held at Sylvester Powell Community Center in Mission, KS from approximately 9am - 3pm will include all the basics: fundraising, public speaking, recruiting volunteers and talking about women's reproductive rights. The training is free of charge thanks to a grant from the Women in Politics Foundation. Apply Here: https://forms.gle/F8xEfDd9KAVu6FYT7
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MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
MISSOURI VOTING RIGHTS LOBBY DAY!
January 30, 2024
Missouri Capitol
Jefferson City, MO
Join Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and voter protection allies from all across the state for a Pro-Democracy Day at the Capitol to defend Missouri's Initiative Petition Process and support our Freedom to Vote! Mark your calendar and watch for more details coming soon!
HELP SUPPORT THE WORK OF MOVPC PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM TO VOTE IN MISSOURI!
With the 2024 elections ahead, and the third anniversary of the January 6 attack on our democracy in mind as Missouri lawmkers return to session, we must act now to ensure our elections are free, fair and acccessible for ALL Missouri’s voters in 2024. Help the non-partisan Missouri Voter Protection Coalition lead the fight against attacks on our freedom to vote in the statehouse, in the courthouse, in the media, in the streets and at the polls on Election Day. Missouri Voter Protection Coalition and its more than 60 affiliated partners collaborate to lead legislative advocacy, strategic litigation, training and education, combat disinformaiton, and election protection to ensure that no eligible voter is denied the right to cast a vote that counts.
Note: Your gift will appear on your credit card as Missouri WIN, our fiscal sponsor. Missouri WIN is a 501c4 non-profit organization and your gift is not tax-deductible.
DONATE TO MOVPC HERE: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/movpc
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Next Scheduled Election - April 2, 2024 General Municipal Election
Election Day: April 2, 2024
Polls Open: 6:00 a.m.
Polls Close: 7:00 p.m.
Last Day to Register: March 6, 2024
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: February 20, 2024
Military & Overseas Portal opens: February 13, 2024
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: February 16, 2024
No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens: March 19, 2024
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Meet Crystal Quade Democratic Candidate for Missouri Governor
Crystal is leading our most important fights to restore our abortion rights, standing up to the biggest corporate special interests, and stopping China and Russia from buying up our farmland and squeezing Missouri farmers out.
Crystal will take on extremist Jay Ashcroft, who says he will ban abortion forever, and give more tax breaks to the wealthiest and most privileged families like the one he grew up in.
If you are looking for a new kind of leader, who will stand up for our working and farming families – meet Crystal Quade.”
Website: https://crystalquade.com/
Support Crystal's Campaign for Missouri's Future: https://crystalquade.com/
The Heartland Pod Interview with Rep. Crystal Quade https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJwbn8m4_q8
“Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes is endorsing Crystal Quade, Missouri House Minority Leader for governor. In a state where nearly all abortions have been illegal since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Quade says she supports putting the most expansive possible abortion access amendment on the 2024 ballot.”
“House Minority Leader Crystal Quade believes abortion can win on the ballot in Missouri. And Planned Parenthood, which announced its endorsement of the Springfield Democrat’s campaign for governor on Monday, believes Quade can win, too.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes is endorsing Quade, who announced a campaign for governor in July. In a state where nearly all abortions have been illegal since Roe v. Wade was overturned, two rival coalitions are working to put the issue on the statewide ballot — placing the debate front and center heading into the 2024 campaign. “This really is a crisis, and, regardless of political affiliation, Missourians are feeling that,” Quade said.”
“Campaigning on abortion access
Missouri was the first state to enact its trigger law after Roe fell, only permitting abortions in medical emergencies.
Quade said since then, her constituents in southwest Missouri – where it used to be suggested that she not broach the topic of abortion – have been increasingly concerned about government overreach, regardless of political affiliation.”
Full story here: https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2023-12-11/missouri-abortion-governor-race-2024-election-crystal-quade-planned-parenthood
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FIND EVENTS AND MORE WAYS TO GET INVOLVED HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT!
With so much important news each week we don’t want you to miss a thing! Check out our MISSOURI MONDAYS NEWS SUPPLEMENT here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13cokjWlCh2EkY5K6bM357rjVPizZDzxlMqjAuoBQfoI/edit?usp=sharing
THANK YOU! for staying informed and taking action to make a difference!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays weekly email at bit.ly/3pF99Uw
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @MissouriAction, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MOActionAlliance and check out our website at http://www.MOActionAlliance.com
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