06/06/22 - Missouri Mondays - Call Gov. Parson NOW to veto voter suppression bill HB 1878!
Celebrate Pride! / Watch Jan 6 Hearings Thursday June 9! / Take action for gun safety reform!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays. The Missouri legislature may be out of session but there’s still so much to do. Thanks for staying informed and taking action. YOUR VOICE makes a difference!
URGENT CALL TO ACTION! TELL GOV. PARSON TO VETO STRICT PHOTO ID & VOTER SUPPRESSION BILL HB 1878! CALL NOW (573) 751-3222!
Take action NOW! The Governor hasn’t yet signed the elections omnibus bill HB 1878 that will disenfranchise voters with strict photo ID provisions, give the Secretary of State the power to purge voter rolls, place severe restrictions on voter registration, open the door to sham election audits, and many more provisions that will make it harder to vote.
For more than 15 years, the MO GOP majority has been trying to enact a photo voter ID requirement in order to reduce turnout among racial minorities and other groups that tend to support Democrats and are most likely not to have a government-issued photo ID. However, the Missouri Supreme Court has struck down previous photo ID laws for placing an unconstitutional restriction on the fundamental right to vote. A lawsuit challenging HB 1878’s photo ID requirement is expected if the Governor signs it into law.
CALL GOV. PARSON (573) 751-3222 NOW AND TELL HIM TO VETO HB 1878!
Read the bill HB 1878 here:
https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4557S.05F.pdf
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MEANINGFUL GUN REFORM MEANS ELECTING DEMOCRATS – PERIOD.
The Republican party continues to loosen gun laws and block any kind of meaningful reform. A quick look at the bills filed in the Missouri Senate in 2022 tells the story. Democrats filed bills that would attempt to reign in the increasing numbers of deaths caused by firearms. Republicans filed bills that would further loosen gun laws across the state such as exempting firearms and ammunition from sales taxes, establishing a state minutemen group, allowing concealed carry on public transportation, allowing concealed carry in places of worship, polling places on election day, government buildings, any private property (even without consent of the owner), bars, places of higher education, childcare facilities, riverboat gambling facilities, amusement parks, and hospitals. Fortunately, they were successfully blocked before passage—with help from supporters like you! Even a bi-partisan group of legislators were unable to pass a bill that would have closed the domestic violence loophole, despite Missouri ranking 2nd in the nation of women killed by men. Republicans fear that they would be hurt in primaries if they participate in rational gun legislation. It says something very dark about our politics,” said State Senator Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, “that they would rather be on record protecting the rights of convicted domestic abusers, rather than the rights of survivors of domestic abuse.”~~Missouri Independent
If we truly want common sense gun legislation to address the tragedy of rising gun-related deaths in this country—the only democratic nation with this problem—we need to work to elect Democrats.
Get involved! Sign up HERE to volunteer for Democratic state house candidates: https://www.mohousedems.com/get-involved
Volunteer with the Jackson County Democratic Committee HERE: https://www.jacksoncodems.org/volunteer
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DON’T LOOK AWAY! TAKE ACTION WITH MOM’S DEMAND ACTION!
We cannot become numb to the tragedies we witness daily. We don’t have to live like this. We can’t let our lawmakers look away from our tragic reality: Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in this country. It’s time to hold our elected officials accountable for their inaction.
Tell your U.S. senators: Don't look away from our national gun violence crisis. Pass gun safety laws now!
Go to https://act.everytown.org/sign/senate-act05252022 or Text BOLD to 644-33
NATIONAL NEWS
WATCH THE JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE’S FIRST PUBLIC HEARINGS
THURSDAY JUNE 9
7 PM CT
“Jan. 6 committee set to make its case public with prime-time hearings”
Almost a year after the formation of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers are set to take their case public. On Thursday night, Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) and Vice Chairwoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) will launch a series of televised hearings featuring a combination of live witnesses, pretaped interviews with figures that include Trump family members and previously unseen video footage. The hearings mark the culmination of an inquiry that has involved more than 1,000 interviews and reviews of more than 125,000 records. Taken together, the work represents the most comprehensive record yet of the deadly assault, and which panel members have come to believe stands out as only the most visible evidence of a broader plot to undermine American democracy — one that emanated from the White House.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/06/04/jan-6-committee-set-make-its-case-public-with-prime-time-hearing/ ~ The Washington Post Jun 4
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
National Democratic Training Committee (NDTC)
Reproductive Rights Panel and Q&A w/Bonyen Lee-Gilmore, VP of Strategy and Communications of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri
Date: Thursday, June 9
Time: 12-1:15 CT
REGISTER HERE: buildblueweek.com
With the recent wave of draconian state laws targeting Roe v. Wade, it’s now more important than ever to proactively affirm reproductive freedom for everyone. Whether you are a candidate, a campaign staffer, or a local leader it is important to understand the current status of access to reproductive healthcare in communities across the country and how attacks on these rights affect those in your community.
This panel discusses how to discuss access to reproductive health and rights with voters by holding values-based conversations rooted in empathy. Panelists will discuss how you can combat anti-choice rhetoric and work to preserve access to reproductive rights in your community.
Find more NDTC Build Blue Week virtual events and registration here:
https://www.mobilize.us/ndtc/event/458194/
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KE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Using false claims of voter fraud, the MO GOP majority spent the 2022 legislative session attacking voting rights and ultimately passed a restrictive photo ID bill sitting on the Governor’s desk that contains many provisions suppressing our vote and our voice!
Join the MOVPC meeting
NEXT MONDAY June 6 at 10 AM
Text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot
and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri!
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JUNE IS LGBTQIA+ PRIDE MONTH!
“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States. In the United States the last Sunday in June was initially celebrated as ‘Gay Pride Day,’ but the actual day was flexible. In major cities across the nation the ‘day’ soon grew to encompass a month-long series of events. Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.”
Learn more at the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/about/
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CELEBRATE PRIDE IN KANSAS CITY!
KC PrideFest
June 10 - June 12
Theis Park
Website: https://kcpridealliance.org/pride-2022/
Kansas City Pride Community Alliance Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KCPrideAlliance/
Kansas City PrideFest is a LGBTQ+ festival featuring a main stage with local acts, vendors, food trucks, family activities, and more. The festival will take place from Friday, June 10th through Sunday, June 12th at Theis Park. All ages welcome. Sunday is focused on family friendly entertainment and activities.
Festival Hours
Fri June 10 - 5:00pm –10:00pm
Sat June 11 - 12:00pm–10:00pm
Sun June 12 - 11:00am-5:00 pm
Parade Sat June 11
Kick off at 11:00 am from Westport Rd & Pennsylvania Ave.
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“Your 2022 Kansas City Pride guide: Events all throughout June to celebrate LGBTQ Pride”
The Kansas City Star https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article261974665.html
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NEXT SCHEDULED ELECTION - August 2, 2022 Primary Election
Election Day: August 2, 2022
LAST DAY TO REGISTER: JULY 6
In Person Absentee Voting Begins: June 21, 2022
Military & Overseas Portal opens: June 14, 2022
Applications mailed to permanently disabled: May 24, 2022
MORE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
Find more upcoming actions and events here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
CRISIS IN UKRAINE - HOW YOU CAN HELP
HOW TO HELP
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN - Help us provide fresh meals to communities in need. On Feb 24, Russia launched a large-scale attack on neighboring Ukraine, invading the country on several fronts. As a result, millions have fled their homes in search of safety. Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, WCK began serving hot, nourishing meals immediately. Now, we've expanded our efforts to serve people across the region in Romania, Moldova, and Hungary. WCK is also partnering with restaurants inside of Ukraine to get hot meals to anyone in need. Make a donation to WCK here: https://donate.wck.org/give/393234#!/donation/checkout
UNICEF - UNICEF is currently on the ground in Ukraine, helping children with water, health and education services. You can give a one-time or recurring donation here: https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/unicef-children-are-bearing-brunt-intensifying-crisis-ukraine/39481
RED CROSS - The International Committee of the Red Cross is supporting the Ukrainian Red Cross right now. The groups are supporting food-producing initiatives, repairing infrastructure, and helping hospitals, schools, mental health facilities and community centers. You can make a one-time donation or a monthly contribution here: https://www.icrc.org/en/donate
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS - American-based nonprofits as well as international organizations are collecting donations for supplies such as first aid backpacks, clothes, diapers, food, cots and other necessities. Donate here: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/countries/ukraine
SUNFLOWER OF PEACE - Sunflower of Peace Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to helping Ukrainians affected by the Russian military invasion. Donate here: https://www.sunflowerofpeace.com/
MISSOURI COVID UPDATE
Missourians Vaccinated vs U.S. as of June 5 - The New York Times
67% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (78% have received at least one dose in the U.S.)
56% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (67% are fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Latest COVID Trends in Missouri as of June 5 - The New York Times
An average of 1,357 cases per day were reported in Missouri in the last week. Cases have increased by 24 percent from the average two weeks ago.
Deaths have increased by 11 percent.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 4 residents have been infected, a total of 1,479,926 reported cases. At least 1 in 295 residents have died from the coronavirus, a total of 20,795 deaths.
January 2022 was the month with the highest average cases, while November 2021 was the month with the highest average deaths in Missouri.
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MORE COVID-19 VACCINE, TESTING RESOURCES AND INFORMATION HERE: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1vCikZiGfMulA8tFCDSJbEKV5N37S1JU_TSlgs699A/edit?usp=sharing
THANK YOU! for answering the Missouri Mondays CALL TO ACTION!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us and sign up for Missouri Action Alliance and this Missouri Mondays email at moactionalliance.com/signup
Follow us on Twitter at @MissouriAction, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MOActionAlliance and check out our website at http://www.MOActionAlliance.com
