12/13/21 - Missouri Mondays - NO Senate recess! Pass federal voting rights NOW!
AND TX abortion law stands-MO copycat bill pre-filed / AG Eric Schmitt playing politics with MO lives—Take action!
Welcome to another Missouri Mondays! Thank you for staying informed and taking action! Together we make a difference!
RECESS CAN WAIT, OUR DEMOCRACY CAN’T! TAKE ACTION TO SUPPORT THE FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT AND THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ADVANCEMENT ACT
“Civil Rights Groups Urge Senate to Delay Recess Until Voting Rights Legislation Is Passed”
“In a letter to the Senate on Dec. 2, a collective of over 200 organizations urged senators not to go into holiday recess—currently scheduled for Dec. 13—until passage of the Freedom to Vote Act and the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, both of which they say will “restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act to ensure that voters are protected from future attacks on their freedom to vote.” “The letter’s 200+ signatories include federal civil rights groups like the the Anti-Defamation League; the Brennan Center; Feminist Majority Foundation, publisher of Ms.; In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda; the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; and others, as well as state and local organizations. Many voting rights advocates fear passing this type of legislation after the recess might make it too late to protect next year’s midterm elections. “All of the experts and lawyers are telling us the same thing: Time is running out. We are not out of time yet, but we are running out of runway to get this bill passed, get it signed into law, be able to clear any legal challenges and actually get it implemented for 2022,” said Tiffany Muller, president and executive director of End Citizens United/Let America Vote, another letter signatory.” Ms. Dec 10 2021 https://msmagazine.com/2021/12/10/civil-rights-senate-recess-voting-rights-congress/
Unless there’s a change, the Senate recess is scheduled for TODAY Dec 13 so we must keep up the pressure on the Senate and President Biden to pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. This is a decisive moment for our nation and the time has never been more urgent to take action to protect voting rights. It’s time for our Senators to step up and fight to protect our fundamental rights and do whatever it takes to pass these critical bills!
TAKE THESE ACTIONS!
TELL SENATORS BLUNT AND HAWLEY TO PASS BOTH BILLS! 1-888-453-3211
Call Missouri Senators Blunt and Hawley at 1-888-453-3211 and tell them to Pass the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act to Ensure Voting Rights!
CALL THE WHITE HOUSE 1-888-724-8746
President Biden said we’re facing “the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War.” We need him to exert his influence to get the Senate to act.
The White House comment line is open Tues-Thurs 10 am – 2 pm CT. When you reach a staff member, tell them your name and that you are a constituent. Urge President Biden to do everything in his power to help overcome the filibuster and pass the Freedom to Vote Act & John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.
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“U.S. SUPREME COURT LETS TEXAS ABORTION LAW CONTINUE BUT SAYS PROVIDERS CAN SUE”
“The Supreme Court left in place Friday a Texas abortion law that bars the procedure after the first six weeks of pregnancy, but the justices said that abortion providers have the right to challenge the law in federal court. The court's action means that the case will return to a district court for further proceedings, but it may still be difficult for providers to open their doors again. It provides a narrow victory for the abortion clinics, allowing them to get into court. But at the same time, the court limited which state officials could be sued by the providers, which could make it difficult for the providers to resume providing abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy.” "While the Court did not put a complete end to our legal challenge, its failure to stop Texas's deliberate nullification of the constitutional right to abortion within its borders makes the Court complicit in widespread chaos and harm to Texans, and responsible for giving the green light for other states to circumvent the constitution through copycat laws," Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said in a statement.” KCTV5 Dec 10, 2021 https://www.kctv5.com/supreme-court-lets-texas-abortion-law-continue-but-says-providers-can-sue/article_aae93f50-a7d0-5ac8-9c2a-7804756572f1.html
MISSOURI PLANNED PARENTHOOD ST. LOUIS REGION AND SW MO RESPONDS TO FRIDAY’S SUPREME COURT RULING
M’Evie Mead, Dir of Legislative Affairs for Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri wrote: “Please beware that for 100 days, Texans have been without abortion access. Since the law took effect, RHS has seen a 40% increase in patients traveling from outside normal service areas — states between Texas and the Metro East. We remain in solidarity with the people of Texas. Fleeing your home state for abortion care is unacceptable, and as we’ve seen in Missouri, is most unattainable for people of color and people with low incomes who already navigate racist and discriminatory barriers to health care. RHS is committed to answering every call and serving every patient who needs help navigating their way to care. Abortion is health care and we’ll continue providing it to any person who needs it, no matter their zip code.”
“Nationally, PPFA, Affiliates, and partner organizations will continue to fight this law in the courts to try to restore abortion access to Texans. We know that, beyond wreaking a devastating impact on people’s lives and rights in TX, SCOTUS’s continued failure to protect citizens’ rights is emboldening our opposition to pursue copycat legislation at the state and local level. A copycat bill (SB778) has already been pre-filed in the Missouri legislature and we expect others. Today’s decision further confirms the dire threat to abortion access and rights in this country.
As you know, the abortion ban in Missouri’s HB126 is currently blocked from enforcement by a court ruling. That decision is currently under review before the full Eighth Circuit of Appeals. The hearing was in September and we remain prepared for a decision any day. Advocates of Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region and Southwest Missouri will not accept a reality where abortion is banned; providers are criminalized, and people can’t make medical decisions for themselves. This fight is far from over and we are glad to have allies like you in this fight.
FREEDOM IS FOR EVERYBODY! CODIFY ABORTION RIGHTS WITH THE WOMEN’S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT!
“With the Supreme Court expected to uphold a restrictive Mississippi abortion law — and possibly overturn a landmark Roe v. Wade ruling — it’s time to codify abortion rights, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) says. “The best way to do it is not a patchwork of state laws, but to ...codify Roe v. Wade, put it into law.” and the Women’s Health Protection Act would do that, according to Sen. Klobuchar.
https://www.aol.com/time-codify-roe-v-wade-230011638.html
The Women’s Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755/S. 1975) would protect the federal right to abortion and would block the barrage of state bans and restrictions on abortion intended to impede or outright deny access. The bill would protect a person’s freedom to make decisions about their own reproductive health care and a health care provider’s ability to provide the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. Read more about the WHPA HERE: http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/WHPA-Memo.pdf
More information on WHPA here: https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/campaign/whpa/
Get involved and take action HERE: https://act.prochoiceamerica.org/a/cosponsor-whpa-2021/?ms=web_WHPA_advo_20210901Campaigns
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MISSOURI AG ERIC SCHMITT PUTTING LIVES AT RISK –THIS TIME ORDERING KC AREA SCHOOLS TO CEASE AND DESIST ENFORCING HEALTH ORDERS
Missouri AG Eric Schmitt and Republican candidate for Roy Blunt’s U.S. Senate seat, “sent letters to more than 30 school districts threatening legal action if they don't drop their mask and quarantine policies.” “Several Kansas City-area school districts received the letter, including Kansas City Public Schools, North Kansas City Schools, Lee’s Summit School District, Kearney School District, Liberty Public Schools, Smithville School District, Harrisonville School District and Grain Valley R-V School District. The letter doubled down on a letter Schmitt sent earlier this week notifying local health authorities and school districts that enforcing mask mandates and quarantine orders violated a decision by a Cole County judge last month. Schmitt said in the letters that he would be opening an investigation into the school districts for failing to comply with Cole County court ruling. He also requested copies of emails from school officials regarding the ruling and their COVID mitigation protocols. “Let me assure you that I take any refusal by school officials to abide by the court’s order and comply with state law very seriously,” Schmitt wrote. “I will engage the full resources of the Missouri Attorney General’s office to ensure that no student will have his or her rights violated by unlawful and unconstitutional mandates.” "The cease and desist letters follow a request made by Schmitt earlier this week asking parents to submit videos or pictures to help identify school districts that are violating the order.” KCUR Dec 10 2021 https://www.kcur.org/education/2021-12-10/missouri-attorney-general-orders-kansas-city-area-schools-to-cease-and-desist-enforcing-health-orders
TELL AG ERIC SCHMITT TO STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH MISSOURI LIVES!
AG Schmitt’s Office phone: 573-751-3321
“Contact us” form HERE: https://ago.mo.gov/about-us/contact-us
For more on Schmitt’s dangerous attacks on vaccines and other covid public safety measures read this KCStar op-ed, “How many lives will Missouri’s attorney general endanger for a US Senate seat?
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HELP KEVIN STRICKLAND RESTART HIS LIFE
On Tuesday, Nov 23 after more than four decades in prison for a crime he did not commit, a judge vacated Kevin Strickland’s 1978 conviction and he was finally freed. Despite the longest wrongful imprisonment in Missour history, Kevin Strickland will receive no compensation from the state of MIssouri. The Midwest Innocence Project is sponsoring a GoFundMe to help Kevin Strickland restart his life. Please consider making contribution HERE: https://gofund.me/9b5e5e8b
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UPCOMING EVENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR
TAKE ACTION WITH THE MISSOURI VOTER PROTECTION COALITION (MOVPC)
TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO VOTE
Join the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition partners from all across the state to find out how you can help protect the right to vote!
Weekly MOVPC Meeting
Mon Dec 13
10 AM
Text MOVPC to 66866 or register HERE: https://wustl.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYoceyuqTsqGN1NlXOMKb88rSExyr-kWjbt
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FIND HELPFUL RESOURCES AND MORE UPCOMING EVENTS HERE:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/19AZUdtRH5WXefOC4Q5D9u-HyuzhBEL8rYX9Ospn3n18/edit?usp=sharing
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MISSOURI COVID UPDATE - Week Dec 5 - Dec 12
COVID-19 Vaccines
Everyone ages 5 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots (CDC updated Dec 9 2021)
Everyone 16 years and older can get a booster shot. Details HERE: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1119-booster-shots.html
CDC Key Things to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines HERE (updated Nov 30 2021): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/keythingstoknow.html
FIND COVID-19 Vaccines KC Metro - Statewide and COVID-19 Testing & Recovery Treatment (KC Metro) HERE https://docs.google.com/document/d/1i1vCikZiGfMulA8tFCDSJbEKV5N37S1JU_TSlgs699A/edit?usp=sharing
Missourians Vaccinated - as of Sun Dec 12 The New York Times
61% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (72% at least one dose in the U.S
52% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (61% fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Total COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in Missouri
766,421 confirmed cases and 12,726 deaths as of Sat Dec 11 MO Dept of Health and Senior Services
954,152 total cases and 15,715 deaths as of Sun Dec 12 The New York Times
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
