Greetings!
We are getting ready for another busy week in the General Assembly. JCRC will be in the Capitol on Tuesday to oppose the dangerous 'Shoot First' bill – SB 666. This bill takes self-defense to a new level, creating an incentive for vigilantism. With this new bill, people may simply shoot, stab, or otherwise use deadly force against individuals the shooter thinks is “suspicious looking.” A bill like this would sanction the murders of Ahmaud Arbery and Trayvon Martin and encourage similar actions. We will live stream the press conference that will follow the hearing.
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‣‣‣Weekly Advocacy How-To: Written Testimony
We encourage you to submit written testimony on issues that matter to you! The process varies depending on whether the bill is in the Missouri House (HB ###) or the Senate (SB ###). Submitting testimony is easy to do, and doesn't need to be long!
For the Missouri House of Representatives, written testimony is entered into the permanent record and is available as a reference tool for years to come. Follow the steps below or watch this video to learn how to submit.
- Find the hearing notice for the bill you want to submit testimony on. We also link each notice below in this newsletter where it says 'submit testimony'.
- Fill out the form.
- Type your comments or cut and paste talking points from JCRC.
A few weeks ago, more than one thousand people wrote in to oppose a bill heard in the Education Committee. That impact was noticed and made a difference.
For the Missouri Senate, written testimony can not be submitted online, but there are creative ways to make your voice heard.
- Send an email to members of the appropriate Senate Committee. In this newsletter, we will tell you which committee is appropriate for each bill.
- Call us at (314) 442-3871 or send us an email with your testimony and we can help you find someone who will be in the Capitol to submit your written testimony in the witness basket.
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At a national level, in the U.S. Senate, we must continue to encourage our Senators to move forward on Dr. Deborah Lipstadt’s nomination for Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism. She was nominated more than six months ago. Forward this alert to your family across the country. All of our US Senators need to hear this loudly.
Please see the specifics below for more information and to take action.
Thank you for your advocacy.
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Cheryl Adelstein
JCRC Deputy Director
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Missouri General Assembly
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‣Topic: Reduce Gun Violence
‣Deadline: Tuesday, February 1
The Senate Transportation, Infrastructure and Public Safety Committee is holding a hearing on February 1 on SB 666 which modifies provisions of Missouri law governing self-defense. This “Shoot First” bill takes self-defense to a new level, creating an incentive for vigilantism by allowing people to simply shoot, stab, or otherwise use deadly force against individuals the shooter thinks are “suspicious-looking.”
Let the committee members know that this is not the right direction for Missouri. Talking points are available here. If you want to travel to Jefferson City to show opposition to this bill, contact Cheryl.
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‣Topic: Criminal Justice
‣Deadline: Tuesday, February 1 at 12 pm
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‣Topic: Initiative Petition Process
‣Deadline: Tuesday, February 1 at 7 am
These are among the many legislative proposals that have been filed this session to restrict the initiative petition and make it more difficult to place Constitutional Amendments on the ballot. This is the process by which citizens can put initiatives on the ballot, such as the Medicaid Expansion initiative that passed in August 2020.
While the wording on each bill is slightly different, they all will increase the number of signatures required to submit by petition by nearly 200,000 and increase the threshold for approval of the initiative from a simple majority to a two-thirds threshold. In some cases, they seek to treat ballot initiatives created by the General Assembly more favorably than those initiated by citizens.
The existing effort to create a ballot initiative in Missouri is already one of the most onerous in the country. These proposed changes will make the ballot initiative process too expensive and burdensome for many grassroots efforts - effectively removing power from the people.
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‣‣‣Urge our Senators to move forward on the nomination of Dr. Deborah Lipstadt’s nomination for Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism.
The ADL has created an action alert: Tell Senators Blunt and Hawley that the time has come to end partisan bickering and move the nomination of Dr. Deborah Lipstadt forward.
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Citizen Initiative Petition Program
Wednesday, February 16
7:30pm | Virtual
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Braver Angels: Teaching Race in Public Schools
Saturday, February 5
10am - 12pm | Virtual
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The Missouri Alliance of Braver Angels invites you to a Courageous Conversation centered on the teaching of race in public schools. Speakers will engage in civil discussion around the following resolution:
“Teachers should be prohibited from teaching history and discussing current issues through the lens of systemic racism and white privilege.”
This topic is timely in Missouri as our legislators in Jefferson City debate two bills concerning this issue HB 1955 and HB 1474. Both have already been heard in committee. What are the concerns leading to such legislation and what could be the consequences? Here is an opportunity to listen, learn, and share your own views and experiences.
All are welcome to attend and participate in this discussion. Rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation will be a featured speaker on this topic.
Braver Angels is a national, grassroots, non-profit organization that seeks to depolarize American politics by transforming our attitudes toward each other. Braver Angels sponsors discussions around the country using a debate-like format that encourages everyone to speak or ask questions, ensures civility in disagreement, and strives for learning and better understanding for all.
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Beyond Bathrooms: The Painful Story of Transgender Discrimination
Thursday, February 10
7pm | Virtual
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The Missouri legislature is once again considering a variety of proposals designed to stigmatize transgender kids, making it difficult for them to access school restrooms and participate in sporting activities. Other proposals would prohibit parents and physicians from using widely accepted medical procedures to support these vulnerable young people. The cumulative effect is to feed growing prejudice and harassment of trans people across the state.
A panel of experts and parents will help us sort out the language of gender and sexual preference and understand the scientific basis of gender and the impact of various therapies. They will spell out the physical and emotional toll these legislative attacks and prejudice can take on gender-nonconforming kids.
You’ll come away with an enhanced knowledge of the issues and the arguments, as well as ways to share this important information with friends, acquaintances and your elected representatives.
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