6/20/22 - Missouri Mondays - Juneteenth, “A day of profound weight and power.”
Say NO! to voter suppression bill HB 1878! / Jan 6 Hearings / In-person Absentee voting for Aug 2 election begins this week!
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!
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!
This week we honor Juneteenth, a celebration of the emancipation of enslaved people in America. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was issued on January 1, 1863, it did not reach Texas until two and a half years later on June 19, 1865, when General Granger read General Order No. 3, which began:
"The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired laborer."
Last year President Biden signed legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday, the only opposition to the bill having come from 14 Republicans. Juneteenth celebrations include religious services, parades, festivals, family gatherings, and educational events. It is a time to celebrate black freedom, black culture, and black achievements, and a time to look toward the day when we truly achieve “an absolute equality of rights.”
Read more about Juneteenth:
Kansas City Celebrates Juneteenth: ‘Our freedom is finally getting acknowledged”
JuneteenthKC
https://www.juneteenth-kc.com/
Juneteenth: The History of a New Holiday
https://www.nytimes.com/article/juneteenth-day-celebration.html
President Biden’s Proclamation on Juneteenth Day of Observance 6/18/21
SIGN THE MOVPC PETITION AND LIGHT UP GOV. PARSON’S PHONE LINE (573) 751-3222! VOTER SUPPRESSION BILL HB 1878 MUST BE VETOED!
Take action NOW and HELP SPREAD THE WORD! The elections omnibus bill HB 1878 sitting on Gov. Parson’s desk 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.
The MO GOP majority has been trying to enact a strict photo voter ID requirement for more than 15 years and here’s why– 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. The Missouri Supreme Court has struck down previous photo ID laws for placing an unconstitutional restriction on the fundamental right to vote and there will likely be another challenge should it be signed into law.
The Governor needs to hear from all of us! NO VOTER SUPPRESSION IN MISSOURI! VETO HB 1878!
SIGN THE PETITION HERE: bit.ly/veto1878
CALL GOV. PARSON (573) 751-3222
Read HB 1878:
https://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills221/hlrbillspdf/4557S.05F.pdf
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HELP ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS!
Democrats are fighting hard for our democracy and for the welfare of the people! Whether it’s for protecting workers rights and advocating for living wages, standing up for reproductive rights and affordable healthcare, and pushing back attacks on our trans kids and LGBTQIA+ community, Democrats are fighting for YOU! To get involved and help MDP elect more Democrats go to https://www.missouridemocrats.org and make a donation here: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/missouridems-website2
JANUARY 6 COMMITTEE HEARINGS
Recap of Last Week’s Hearings
Monday, June 13 - Evidence was presented that the former President was told multiple times by his campaign staff and Attorney General William Barr that there was no proof of election fraud yet he and his advisors continued to spread the “Big Lie”.
Thursday, June 16 - Vice President Mike Pence was pressured by the former President and lawyer John Eastman to refuse to certify electoral votes from seven states won by Joe Biden, even though Eastman and DT knew their actions were illegal. One of VP Pence’s senior aides testified that Pence never believed he had the power to throw the election to DT. Widely respected retired conservative judge J. Michael Luttig testified that he advised Pence to reject Eastman’s advice. Judge Luttig maintains that "Donald Trump and his allies and supporters are a clear and present danger to American democracy."
Read more about Jan 6 Committee hearings:
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105513685/recap-jan-6-committee-hearing
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105607895/judge-michael-luttig-john-eastman-jan-6
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/podcasts/the-daily/jan-6-committee-hearings-trump.html
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WATCH THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARINGS OF THE JAN 6 COMMITTEE THIS WEEK
TUESDAY JUNE 21 AT 12 PM CT
THURSDAY JUNE 23 AT 2:00 PM CT
“The committee plans to spotlight a pressure campaign carried out by Trump’s allies to get state legislators and election officials to change the results of the vote, Cheney said. The committee is expected to reveal evidence showing how Trump asked Georgia election officials to find enough votes to allow him to win the state.
The final two hearings, Cheney said, will focus on the words Trump used to summon “a violent mob and directed them illegally to march on the U.S. Capitol.” There will be evidence of Trump refusing to speak with military leaders to try to control the violence, waiting several hours before calling on rioters to disperse.” LA Times June 17 https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2022-06-13/what-is-the-tv-schedule-for-the-next-jan-6-committee-hearings
More information about last week’s Jan 6 Committee hearings: https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105513685/recap-jan-6-committee-hearing
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/16/1105607895/judge-michael-luttig-john-eastman-jan-6
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/17/podcasts/the-daily/jan-6-committee-hearings-trump.html
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING ACTIONS AND EVENTS
TAKE 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!
****IN RECOGNITION OF THE OFFICIAL JUNETEENTH HOLIDAY TODAY, THIS WEEK'S MOVPC MEETING IS BUMPED TO TOMORROW TUESDAY JUNE 21 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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HELP TURN MISSOURI BLUE WITH THE MISSOURI HOUSE DEMOCRATS!
Join Missouri House Democrats at an event near you! Hear from elected officials and candidates how you can help turn Missouri Blue! For more information and to RSVP: MOHouseDems.com/calendar
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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/
Pride Events in Kansas City
“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 THIS WEEK: TUES 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
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
COVID-19 vaccines approved for children younger than 5 years old
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on vaccines for Americans younger than 5 years old, allowing shots to begin immediately. The move came a day after the Food and Drug Administration issued three new authorizations for Covid-19 vaccines. The FDA on Friday authorized Pfizer shots for children between 6 months and 4 years old, and Moderna shots for children between 6 months and 5 years old. Additionally, it green-lit Moderna shots for kids 6 to 17. Previously, the only vaccine available for that age group was Pfizer's, which the FDA authorized last year for kids 5 and older. The Biden administration pledged to start shipping up to 10 million doses to states, pharmacies and community health centers immediately after the FDA authorization. "We expect that vaccinations will begin in earnest as early as Tuesday, June 21, and really roll on throughout that week," Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House Covid-19 response coordinator, said at a briefing earlier this month. He noted that many doctors' offices may be closed for the Juneteenth federal holiday on Monday.
Full story here: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/covid-vaccines-children-under-5-rcna34107 NBC News June 17
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Missourians Vaccinated vs U.S. as of June 19 - The New York Times
67% of Missourians have received at least one dose - (78% have received at least one dose in the U.S.)
57% of Missourians are fully vaccinated - (67% are fully vaccinated in the U.S.)
Latest COVID Trends in Missouri as of June 19 - The New York Times
An average of 1,554 cases per day were reported in Missouri in the last week. Cases have increased by 13 percent from the average two weeks ago.
Deaths have decreased by 81 percent.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, at least 1 in 4 residents have been infected, a total of 1,500,814 reported cases. At least 1 in 295 residents have died from the coronavirus, a total of 20,818 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
