Indivisible KC Week in Action: Missouri, July 2
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Dearest Indivisibles,
It's been a pretty rough week of news, no mistake. And we've got a long email with plenty to share to show for it.
But when Saturday came, and hundreds of thousands of us took to the streets across the country to show up for families and immigrants - that's something to really move your spirit.
Thousands of you have showed up to speak out in the past week. Thank you.
If you weren't able to make it, here are a few photos and quotes to get you fired up and facing the week:
"I am tired of politicians talking about family values and they produce policies that have no value to 
families at all! I am sick and tired of politicians opening their meetings with prayer, but not knowing what the Bible said about "welcoming the stranger." I am tired of Christian nationalist groups praying for more wealth while we have children ripped apart from their families on our borders!
I am tired of America not being what #America said it ought to be! But there is a groundswell of people that are also tired as well! We're going to have to stand together:
black and white; immigrant and native-born; gay and straight.
TOGETHER, there is no challenge that we cannot overcome!
No mountain we can't climb!
No political power we can't overcome!
No ICE we can't melt!"
--Rev. Rodney Williams
Pastor of Swope Parkway United Christian Church
(photo, left, from Stand UP KC)
“The next time you vote I want you to vote for love. If we center in on love and we know that we love ourselves, we know that we love our neighbors regardless of what country of origin they come from, regardless of what border they came through, regardless of what they’re leaving or regardless of what they are trying to achieve, we must look at it first with love,”
-- Rev. Randy Fikki
Unity Southeast Church
"It was so good for my state of mind, to be among so many other people who are heartbroken, but ready to fight."
-- Heather M., Rally attendee
In the News
Keep up with the most impactful stories and be ready to take action on developing stories.
National News
- The resounding primary victory of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in New York proves that it's possible for passion and grassroots effort to overcome incumbency and big money spending. So get out and support the candidates you love!
- With the retirement of Justice Kennedy, another supreme court seat is about to be filled. Kennedy generally sided with the conservative wing of the court, including on Citizens United and gutting the voting rights act, but occasionally crossed the aisle for decisions like Obergefell, the case that legalized gay marriage nationwide. McConnell has removed the filibuster for Supreme Court judges so combating extreme nominations will be an uphill battle.
- Following more escalation in rhetoric against the media, a man opened fire on a newspaper office Thursday. He was angry about their coverage of his past stalking conviction and had previously tied his hatred of this particular media outlet to Donald Trump's anti-media statements.
- The Department of Homeland Security asked the military to house more than ten thousand detained immigrant families. This military housing would be even less accessible to journalists and childcare professionals than current facilities. Meanwhile, the republicans are unable to agree on an immigration bill, and hundreds were arrested at an ICE protest in Washington D.C. including multiple Democratic party legislators. All appear to be free at this time.
- Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort appears to owe ten million more dollars to a Russian oligarch than were previously disclosed. Manafort is still in jail. There have been five guilty pleas so far in the Trump-Russia investigation.
- The dark money groups that brought Greitens to power are taking further heat, including investigation by the Federal election commission, and a new lawsuit. We may find the truth out yet.
- Governor Parson signed the Missouri budget. Missourians were lucky that Governor Greitens' scandals kept the Missouri legislature from fulfilling all his budget agenda, but the budget is morally lacking nevertheless. Read more
Calls to Action
Take action on your own schedule! Use your phone and computer to make your voice heard.
Call Senator McCaskill and tell her to refuse to confirm any Trump nomination to the Supreme Court. Read about Indivisible's two step strategy to win the Supreme Court fight.
Two GOP-led immigration bills failed the House this week. Call your Representative (Graves or Hartzler) and tell them you expect them to 1) put pressure on leadership to bring smaller, passable bills to the floor. If a clean Dream Act or measure on Family Separation were brought to the floor alone, they would pass. 2) work with Democrats to craft a bill that can pass both chambers of Congress. The White House is too unpredictable, and it's time Congress began to act like a coequal branch of government.
Finally, sometimes it helps to remember that funding PoC-led organizations is a great way to resist. Here in KC, the KS/MO DREAM Alliance has been leading our community in the fight for immigrant rights. If you're able, keep their work going with a donation.
Upcoming Events
Take action with others! Build energy and connection among like-purposed people. Check our social media frequently for more up-to-date event information.
This Week
Strut Your Stars and Stripes! Wear your red, white and blue and bring your family as volunteers for the Moms Demand Action march in the annual Parkville July Fourth Parade this Wednesday. Parade line-up begins at 9:00am at the corner of 63rd Street and Highway 9, and the parade kicks off at 10:00am. Please RSVP so that we know you'll be joining us.
Next Week
Action Night: Get Out the Vote! IKC is teaming up with Indivisible St Louis to get out the vote in 2018! We are sending handwritten postcard reminders to newly registered young people to get them out and voting this August 7th and November 6th! These postcards are short an sweet so we hope to get through a lot of them quickly. Join us at Bier Station in Waldo on Monday July 9 at 6:30 pm, where we can chat and enjoy some burgers and beverages as we encourage new voters!
Newbie Phone Banking: Never phone banked before and feeling nervous? Let's jump in and try it for the first time, together! Newbie and seasoned phone bankers are welcome to join IKC and our friends at Jobs With Justice on Tuesday July 10 at 5:30 at 1101 E 87th St, Suite 105 as we spread the word that "Right to Work" is Wrong for Missouri Workers, and we all need to vote No Way on Prop A!
Keep Marching: Don't let the end of the parade be the end of your involvement with Moms Demand Action. Come to the KC group's monthly meeting from 6:00pm - 7:00pm on Wednesday, July 11, at the Waldo Branch of the KC Public Library, 201 E 75th Street. Let us know if you can join us.
Hands Up!: Got a question for candidates running for the District 8 Missouri Senate seat (Lee's Summit area)? Here's your chance to ask incumbent Mike Cierpiot (R) and challengers Hillary Shields (D) and Leonard Jonas Hughes IV (R) their views in a forum open to the public on July 12, from 6:30pm - 8:00pm at John Knox Village in Lee's Summit. The event is sponsored by the League of Women Voters KC. Lee's Summit is a short drive from urban KC and the SD 8 election will be a close, important one in determining the balance of the MO senate in the 2019 session. It all adds up to SD 8 being a great place to put in your campaign volunteer hours this election season.
Shoulder to shoulder,
Indivisible KC
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