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.

‣‣‣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.

For the Missouri Senate, written testimony can not be submitted online, but there are creative ways to make your voice heard.

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.

JCRC Deputy Director

Support HB 2439 – Police Reform

Oppose SB 666 – Reduce Gun Violence

Support HB 2412 & 2474 – Criminal Justice Reform

Oppose to HJR 65, HJR 91, HJR 74, HJR 85, HJR 112 & HJR 113 – Initiative Petition and Constitutional Amendment

‣‣‣Call or email committee members to oppose SB 666 

‣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.

‣‣‣Submit testimony in support of HB 2412, HB 2474

‣Topic: Criminal Justice

‣Deadline: Tuesday, February 1 at 12 pm

The House Emerging Issues Committee is holding a hearing on Tuesday, February 1 at 1 pm on these bills sponsored by Representatives Dogan and Hicks. These bills would expand a program that provides restitution for individuals who are found innocent after being wrongfully convicted and would also provide for automatic expungement of their records. JCRC has provided written testimony in support of these bills.

‣‣‣Submit testimony in opposition to HJR 65, HJR 74, HJR 85, HJR 91, HJR 112 & HJR 113

‣Topic: Initiative Petition Process

‣Deadline: Tuesday, February 1 at 7 am

The Elections and Elected Officials Committee will host public hearings on multiple House Joint Resolutions on Tuesday, February 1 at 8 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.

To learn about this issue in detail, register for the virtual Citizen Initiative Program on Wednesday, February 16 at 7:30 pm.

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.

JCRC has submitted written testimony and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition has created a summary of each bill and talking points.

‣‣‣Urge our Senators to move forward on the nomination of Dr. Deborah Lipstadt’s nomination for Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism. 

In August 2021, President Biden nominated Dr. Deoborah Lipstadt, a renowned scholar of the Holocaust and modern antisemitism, and a professor at Emory University to the post of Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Antisemitism.

Partisan turmoil in the Senate has stalled Lipstadt’s and many other Biden appointees. 

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.

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:

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. 

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.

Sponsored by Women's Voices Raised for Social Justice

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.