09/30/24 Missouri Mondays - Rest in power Marcellus Williams ~ 36 days to help elect pro-justice, pro-Democracy candidates! Volunteer! Plan your vote! Ways to take action this week!
Welcome to Missouri Mondays.
Last week the state of Missouri executed Marcellus Williams by lethal injection.
The ACLU of Missouri wrote: “Williams maintained his innocence until the end of his life. Repeated studies demonstrate that Black men who are accused of murdering white women, like Mr. Williams, are more likely to receive the death penalty. No scientific evidence implicated Mr. Williams, and the entire case against him was based on an unreliable jailhouse informant and a witness seeking a cash reward. At his trial, prosecutors removed six of seven potential Black jurors, claiming one in particular looked like Mr. Williams’ “brother.” History tells us that non-representative juries lead to unreliable results and higher rates of false convictions. Abolish state-sanctioned murder.”
“None of the physical evidence at the crime scene, including fingerprints, bloodied shoe prints and hairs, could be tied to Williams. He was arrested based on the testimony of a jailhouse informant, who said Williams confessed the murder.”
“St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell supported Williams’ request for clemency. “Bell filed the case in January, arguing there was “clear and convincing evidence” that potential jurors had been excluded based on race and questioning whether DNA evidence on the knife that killed Gayle had been contaminated by careless handling.
Bell issued a statement that he remained convinced Williams should have been spared. “Marcellus Williams should be alive today,” Bell said. “There were multiple points in the timeline when decisions could have been made that would have spared him the death penalty. If there is even the shadow of a doubt of innocence, the death penalty should never be an option. This outcome did not serve the interests of justice.”
State Rep. Crystal Quade, the Democratic candidate for governor, issued a statement over social media saying that she disagreed with allowing the execution to proceed. “I’ve always stood firm in my stance that the state should not execute potentially innocent people. Marcellus Williams is no different,” Quade said. There was no statement from Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, the Republican candidate.” Missouri Independent Sept 24
We are outraged over Missouri’s callous disregard of Marcellus Williams’ life and we grieve for his family. Who we elect to represent us matters and we have just 36 days to volunteer for a candidate and help them win!
Your vote is your voice! Make a plan! In person absentee voting (excuse required) is underway and the voter registration deadline is Oct 9.
Reproductive freedom and worker wages and benefits are on the line! Help pass Yes on 3 and Prop A. Amendment 3 will restore our reproductive rights and end Missouri’s cruel abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest. Prop A will gradually raise the minimum wage and provide paid sick leave for workers.
Act now for a just future! Volunteer to help elect those who will defend and protect our rights and freedoms! – Put Harris-Walz in the White House, Crystal Quade in the MO Governor’s mansion, fire Josh Hawley and put Lucas Kunce in the U.S. Senate, elect Democrats into every statewide office and fill the state legislature!
THANK YOU for staying informed and taking action with us each week. Help us spread the word by sharing this email and our Missouri Mondays sign up link: https://www.moactionalliance.com/signup.
TAKE ACTION! WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
*MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC) MEETING
Mondays at 10AM
Online (Zoom)
To sign up text “MOVPC” to 66866 or register here: bit.ly/protectmovoters
Join Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) to learn how to take action and make a difference in protecting the right to vote for all Missourians!
MOVPC is a nonpartisan statewide network promoting access to the ballot and working to remove barriers to voting in Missouri! Join MOVPC and voting rights advocates from all across our state to help to ensure voting is accessible to ALL Missourians!
DONATE TO MOVPC
Help 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. Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/movpc
About MOVPC
Since 2006, MOVPC and its partners have worked to dismantle discriminatory voting barriers and expand access to the ballot, with particular focus on low-income, communities of color, young voters, seniors, voters with disabilities, language minorities, and other marginalized voters. MOVPC serves as a hub for voting rights work in Missouri and as a connector to national voting rights partners to support national voting rights campaigns. Explore our resources for voting in Missouri on our website here: https://www.movpc.org/
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*2024 VOTER IMPORTANT DATES - IN PERSON ABSENTEE VOTING UNDERWAY!
General Election: November 5
Last Day to Register: October 9
In Person Absentee Voting: Began September 24
Military & Overseas Portal: Opened September 21
Applications to permanently disabled: Mailed September 20
No Excuse In Person Absentee (Early) Voting Opens: October 22
*Find Your Local Election Authority - Check your voter registration, find your polling location, download your sample ballot, and more.
Search for your local election authority on the MO Secy of State’s website: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/localelectionauthority
For Jackson County voters in Kansas City — Your election board is Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners, 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri 64130 - Phone: 816.842.4820 - Website: https://www.kceb.org/
For Jackson County voters outside Kansas City - Your local election authority is the Jackson County Board of Elections - 215 N Liberty, Independence MO 64050 Phone: (816) 325-4600 - Website: https://jcebmo.org/
*Check Your Voter Registration here: https://voteroutreach.sos.mo.gov/portal
Register to Vote using a touchscreen device here - Deadline Oct 9* : https://s1.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterregistration/
*Other ways to register to vote here: https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/goVoteMissouri/register
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Missouri Voter Protection Coalition (MOVPC) Voter Resources
Eligibility and Registration https://www.movpc.org/missouri-voter-eligibility-and-registration
Voting Before Election Day https://www.movpc.org/voting-before-election-day-in-missouri
Voting on Election Day https://www.movpc.org/election-day-voting-in-missouri
Election Protection - https://www.movpc.org/election-protection - 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) - Have questions about voter registration deadlines, requesting absentee or mail-in ballots, or how to vote in-person during early voting or on Election Day? Call or text 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) to speak with a trained Election Protection volunteer.
To volunteer for Election Protection sign up here: https://protectthevote.net/
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VP Debate Watch Party
Tuesday, Oct 1
7:30PM - 10PM
Unity Temple - Unity Hall
707 W 47th St
Kansas City, MO 64112-1803
Sign up and details here: https://events.democrats.org/event/706025/
Join us to watch Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz in the VP Debate against JD Vance on October 1st. Let's turn out for Harris Walz in Kansas City!
There will also be yard signs and other items available for a donation to take home and continue to show your support for our candidates!
Hosted by the MO-KS Women's Leadership Forum, Heartland Alliance for Progress, Jackson County Democrats, and the Missouri Democratic Party.
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*Trivia Night Fundraiser in Support of Patty Lewis for MO State Senate 7
Wednesday October 2
5:30-7PM
Lew’s Grill and Bar
7539 Wornall Rd
Kansas City, MO 64114
Please join host Jon Rand for a Trivia Night Fundraiser to help elect Patty Lewis for MO State Senate District 7!
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*Jackson County Democrats Weekend Canvass for MO Legislature Candidates!
Saturday, Oct 5 and every Sat thru Nov 2
10AM
Two locations:
801 NE Woods Chapel Road, Lees Summit
308 W Maple Ave, Independence
Facebook event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/349852488173660/349852524840323/
Join us at 10am every Saturday until Election Day for a canvass kickoff to support our State House and State Senate candidates! We will kickoff from both our Independence and our Lee’s Summit office. Volunteer training at 10am followed by canvass kickoff. For more information or questions, call Tyler at 816-812-0411 or email Tyler@jacksoncodems.org
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HELP GET OUT THE “YES” VOTE FOR AMENDMENT 3
*Missourians For Constitutional Freedom (Multiple MO locations)
Phone Bank / Canvass - Talk to voters about reproductive freedom
Multiple dates KC, Columbia, Jefferson City, Springfield, St. Louis
Find your location and sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/mfcf/
Missouri Abortion Rights Initiative Petition, Amendment 3, is officially verified and set for the November ballot! Join Missourians for Constitutional Freedom as we phone bank and canvass to build support for our amendment to end the abortion ban in Missouri! Register to take action to take back our freedom and put families — not politicians — in charge of personal medical decisions by enshrining the Right to Reproductive Freedom in our Missouri Constitution.
*Canvass Your Neighborhood to Vote YES on Amendment 3 (Anywhere in MO)
Do anytime through 12am CST on November 5
Sign up here: https://www.mobilize.us/mfcf/event/679306/
Do you live outside of Columbia, KC, Springfield, or STL? This is one way you can take action to knock doors in your area to mobilize folks to VOTE YES on AMENDMENT 3 to end Missouri's abortion ban! We'll provide you with training, literature to hand out at the doors, & a list of doors you'll be knocking. Sign up here & an organizer will contact you within 48 hours!
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HELP SUPPORT MISSOURI 2024 CANDIDATES AND BRING THEM TO VICTORY IN NOVEMBER!
Missourians can MAKE HISTORY in November and change the direction of our government with pro-Democracy leaders focused on restoring rights and freedoms and making lives better.
Check out our list of candidates and campaign links here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YWPoO300-K4QWinuVdJ_9LR-Hei7rv_ODoEIbeCebUY/edit?usp=sharing
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HELP ELECT HISTORIC CANDIDATE VP KAMALA HARRIS AND RUNNING MATE GOV. TIM WALZ!
Together, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz are moving our country forward and fighting for working families. There is still only one way to keep Donald Trump out of the Oval Office: At the ballot box. Help us get our message out to the American people!
*DONATE TO HARRIS VICTORY FUND HERE:
*SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER / TAKE ACTION HERE: https://web.kamalaharris.com/forms/take-action-for-kamala-harris/
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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