Indivisible KC Week in Action: Missouri, August 13
.jpg)
Dear Indivisibles,
Missouri workers won a huge victory last week with the landslide defeat of Prop A! We hope you've taken the last few days to celebrate this achievement that so many of you worked so hard on. But let's not
forget: The movement to save Unions only became necessary because a large majority of our state legislature voted to crush them. Many more anti-worker bills have passed and will pass without an enormous change in the people who represent us. It's time to hold them accountable and VOTE THEM OUT! For many of us, that might mean travelling out of our district to canvass in areas that need our help. Keep your eyes open for candidates you can support across the area - in the Northland, east in Independence, Lee's Summit, and Raytown areas, down in Cass county, even across the line in Kansas! Find a candidate you love, who needs you, and take these few short months we have left to work your tail off for them! Shoulder to shoulder, we will build a government that works for We the People.
Stand Up!
Keep up with the most impactful stories and be ready to take action on developing stories.
National News
- Trump's campaign manager Paul Manafort continues his trial for money laundering and tax evasion. Last week Rick Gates, Manafort's longtime assistant who held the title of Deputy Chairman of the Trump Inaugural Committee among many others in the Trump organization, testified in open court that he and Manafort had committed numerous financial crimes together.
- Rand Paul, described on Russian television as a "loyalist" to Russia, hand delivered a letter from Donald Trump to associates of Vladimir Putin and refused to disclose the contents of this letter. Other sources call it a letter of 'introduction.' He invited several Russian lawmakers to visit Washington. Catch up on the Trump-Russia scandal at https://www.2016activemeasures.org/
- The department of veterans affairs is reportedly being run not by elected officials, or veterans with knowledge of the system, or appointed experts vetted for their years of experience in medicine, but by a secret cabal of Trump's golf buddies who decided that being rich and golfing are the only credentials that matter.
Missouri News
- Republican primary winner Steve West (MO House district 15) was revealed to be a white supremacist and conspiracy theorist, although that should have been obvious to Republican who received his campaign literature.
- Republican Josh Hawley will challenge Claire McCaskill for what many are calling the most vulnerable Democrat-held seat in the U.S. Senate.
- Kansas City Missouri passed the Healthy Homes initiative, which will establish a basic minimum standard for habitability of rental properties and give renters a form of recourse against negligent landlords. Thank you to everyone who voted!
- Read more in our Missouri News Roundup.
Fight Back!
Speak Out!
Tell you elected officials where you stand on key issues, including those listed here.
Call, send an e-mail, write a letter, visit an office. Click on your federal representatives’ name for contact information.
U.S. Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II
U.S. Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler
Click here for a map of Missouri’s U.S. Congressional Districts.
Click here to look up your State of Missouri Elected Officials.
OPPOSE scotus nominee KAVANAUGH
#WhatsAtStake Our friends at Indivisible East Bay have put together a resistance toolkit for opposing Kavanaugh. The toolkit includes talking points and even a suggested calling script to get you started. Call or visit both Missouri Senators every day. We have so much to lose.
Take Action!
Make a call, join a phone bank, rally or protest, learn about an issue, sign a petition ... help build a better a better country.
This week:
Help make pre-k accessible to everyone in KCMO
Later this week the KC City Council will consider taking action to expand Pre-K for KC families. This is overdue. The average cost of Pre-K is about $12,000 per year. This is far out of reach for most families. Call your council member to let him or her know you support expanding Pre-K to ensure KC children and families have what they need to succeed. Find out more here.
Wednesday, August 15:
Demand Senator Roy Blunt fight to reunite
Senator Roy Blunt is complicit. He can say he disapproves of these actions but without real action in fixing this mess that is STILL actively harming and traumatizing children, his words are meaningless.
We will continue to ask Senator Roy Blunt to use his power as a legislator to actively oppose these moral and ethical atrocities committed by President Trump and his administration, including the separation of children at the border and missing reunification deadlines. Blunt's silence, refusal to talk with constituents, and his inaction show his complicity and his unwillingness to fight for all of Missouri's residents. Wednesday, August 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon on the steps of of Blunt's downtown Kansas City office at 1000 Walnut. Thank you to everyone who continues to SHOW UP!
Thursday, august 16:
Fight for $15 and union representation
The fight for employees rights doesn't stop with the Prop A vote! Workers are organizing to demand a minimum $15/hr wage and the opportunity to be part of a union. Join Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, Mayor Sly James, Sen. Lauren Arthur, Reps., Judy Morgan, Deron McGee, John Carpenter and others for the America Needs Unions March and Forum on Thursday, August 16 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Oppenstien Brothers Memorial Park at 12th and Walnut. The event is hosted by Stand Up KC and UAW Local 249.
Future events:
August 19 - 26:
Celebrate the 98th Anniversary of women's right to vote
Women's Equality Week, marking the 98th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Women's Equality Week is an expansion of Women's Equality Day, August 26th, the day in 1920 when the 19th Amendment was ratified giving women the right to vote. During the week an ad-hoc coalition of non-partisan organizations, agencies and the media will be offering programs on the issues that prevent women from achieving full equality. Check out all the great events planned for the week of Aug. 19 - 26.
Monday, August 20:
surJ: Fight against ice raids and encampments
Join the SURJ Solidarity Action team this month to look at how our countries’ history is wrought with the racist injustice of putting people into camps and also instances when movements of resistance worked powerfully against such deep injustices. There is a nationwide movement being led by people of color against ICE raids and encampments, and now is a time where we need to get involved. Monday, August 20, 7 to 9 p.m., St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran, 3800 Troost, Kansas City, Mo. Hosted by Showing up for Racial Justice - Kansas City.
Thursday, August 23:
help conduct the Poor People's Campaign Neighborhood Canvass
As part of the PPC National Door-to-Door Campaign August 23 - 25, Kansas City progressives will be going door-to-door, engaging poor communities by registering voters, taking a brief survey and asking residents to get involved in changing America's course. Thursday, August 23, from 6 to 9 p.m. (Brief training session at 6 p.m., followed by canvassing) St. Mark Hope and Peace Lutheran, 3800 Troost, Kansas City, Mo. [ RSVP here - NEED LINK FROM MICHAEL]. The event is hosted by Stand Up KC.
Saturday, August 25:
learn about the life and legacy of an extraordinary American Civil Rights Leader
Free Community Screening of "Anne Braden: Southern Patriot." Braden was charged with sedition for attempting to desegregate Louisville in 1954 and hailed by Dr. King as one of the only five southern whites he could trust. Tickets are free [click here] but seats are limited. The screening will be on Saturday, August 25 at 12 Noon at the Tivoli Theater, 4050 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, Mo. Hosted by Stand Up KC's Fannie Lou Hamer Women's Committee.
thursday, august 30:
fight racism in education
Join Showing up for Racial Justice's core group in for educators or folks interested in dismantling whiteness in educational systems. Connect with other educators and converse about our self-interest in anti-racist organizing in education. Explore what equity in education looks like in practice. Thursday, August 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., 4526 The Paseo, Kansas City, Mo. Hosted by Showing up for Racial Justice - Kansas City.
Now that we know who the candidates are, Indivisible KC is working to build a candidate guide grading our candidates and electeds on the issues. This will be a massive effort and we need your help! Please write to volunteers@indivisiblekc.com if you are willing to help us collect information about the candidates in your district.
We hope the primaries brought great news to each of you about the candidates you already know and love! We are fired up and ready to go!
Shoulder to shoulder,
Indivisible KC
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news and event updates.
.png)
.png)