This is What Democracy Sounds Like: Recent Episodes
Metropolitan Congregations United
This is What Democracy Sounds Like is a presentation of Metropolitan Congregations United in St. Louis, MO. MCU is a community organization that brings together religious congregations, community groups, and individuals to work for a common purpose: to create a better life for all residents of the St. Louis region.
We work at the intersection of race, economy, political power, gender, and the structures of oppression at work within us individually, within our organization and within the community.
We are working towards building people’s control of the government, building community control of the economy, expanding the public sphere, and creating structural racial equity.
The results of MCU organizing have directly benefitted Fran Collier's family. She has a passion for service and justice that gives her the strength to speak up boldly even when it's hard to.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
For Terry Knies, MCU is where he lives out his family's tradition of faith, activism, and service. As a son and grandson of union organizers, Terry has found his voice through the MCU Legislative Task Force by being an advocate in Jefferson City at the State Capitol.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
On October 9th, MCU hosted a public meeting at Centennial Christian Church in the Fountain Park neighborhood in the city of St. Louis. The theme of the meeting was Look Up And Live
Thirteen elected officials, candidates, or their representatives were in attendance at our public meeting to first listen to the stories of people from communities impacted by injustices in our society - and then secondly to publicly commit to working for solutions.
It's election season and we talk with DeMarco Davidson and Latrell Stanton about how MCU is engaging voters before Nov. 8th. Join Metropolitan Congregregations United at these two important events with candidates and elected officials. Justice is on the ballot.
October 9th - Look Up and Live Public Meeting. Register at bit.ly/MCULookUpLive
October 13th - Candidate Forum for MO 24th Senate District. Register at bit.ly/MCUdistrict24
It's election season and we talk with DeMarco Davidson and Latrell Stanton about how MCU is engaging voters before Nov. 8th. Join Metropolitan Congregregations United at these two important events with candidates and elected officials. Justice is on the ballot.
October 9th - Look Up and Live Public Meeting. Register at bit.ly/MCULookUpLive
October 13th - Candidate Forum for MO 24th Senate District. Register at bit.ly/MCUdistrict24
Gov. Parson has called for a special session of the Missouri legislature in order to pass tax credits and cuts. But what is the impact on Missouri's already underfunded education, health care, and social service sectors? We talk with State Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, Traci Gleason of the Missouri Budget Project, and J-Mo from Metropolitan Congregations United about the impact of the proposed cuts and Missouri's out-of-date and unjust tax laws.
Join MCU on Sept. 22 for a candidate forum with those vying for the 24th state senate district. We will be asking about their commitments to justice. Register at www.bit.ly/MCUdistrict24.
Find and contact your state legislators at https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
Learn more about the proposals from the Governor and their impact at the Missouri Budget Project: https://www.mobudget.org/
Gov. Parson has called for a special session of the Missouri legislature in order to pass tax credits and cuts. But what is the impact on Missouri's already underfunded education, health care, and social service sectors? We talk with State Rep. Ashley Bland Manlove, Traci Gleason of the Missouri Budget Project, and J-Mo from Metropolitan Congregations United about the impact of the proposed cuts and Missouri's out-of-date and unjust tax laws.
Join MCU on Sept. 22 for a candidate forum with those vying for the 24th state senate district. We will be asking about their commitments to justice. Register at www.bit.ly/MCUdistrict24.
Find and contact your state legislators at https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
Learn more about the proposals from the Governor and their impact at the Missouri Budget Project: https://www.mobudget.org/
MCU needs you. Join us in insisting that local school boards go above and beyond to get the lead out of school drinking water. But how do we do that? J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, tells us about the upcoming training on how to "Powerfully Engage with Boards and Commissions." The event will be on Thursday, September 8, over Zoom. Learn from community organizers from MCU, the Sierra Club, the Water Institute at St. Louis University, and Great Rivers Environmental Law. Sign up now at: https://secure.everyaction.com/-UZiMOGaBESiuskMNjV3fA2
Also, mark your calendars for September 22 for a Candidate Forum with the candidates for the Missouri State Senate's District 24. The event will be held at the Ethical Society of St. Louis.
MCU needs you. Join us in insisting that local school boards go above and beyond to get the lead out of school drinking water. But how do we do that? J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, tells us about the upcoming training on how to "Powerfully Engage with Boards and Commissions." The event will be on Thursday, September 8, over Zoom. Learn from community organizers from MCU, the Sierra Club, the Water Institute at St. Louis University, and Great Rivers Environmental Law. Sign up now at: https://secure.everyaction.com/-UZiMOGaBESiuskMNjV3fA2
Also, mark your calendars for September 22 for a Candidate Forum with the candidates for the Missouri State Senate's District 24. The event will be held at the Ethical Society of St. Louis.
MCU along with the Sierra Club are demanding that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reform the state's air permit process, allowing more transparency, more opportunity for community input, and taking into account the cumulative impact on the community. We talk with Catherine Le, an intern with the MCU Environmental Justice Task Force, and Rajiv Ravulapati, the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign.
Sign the petition to reform the Air Permitting Process: https://bit.ly/MOAirPermitReform
Join MCU to deliver the petition to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources: https://secure.everyaction.com/9YL-CaP7OEyJMHqSm7jbBg2
Track air quality in your neighborhood: https://airwatchstl.mcustlouis.org
MCU along with the Sierra Club are demanding that the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reform the state's air permit process, allowing more transparency, more opportunity for community input, and taking into account the cumulative impact on the community. We talk with Catherine Le, an intern with the MCU Environmental Justice Task Force, and Rajiv Ravulapati, the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign.
Sign the petition to reform the Air Permitting Process: https://bit.ly/MOAirPermitReform
Join MCU to deliver the petition to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources: https://secure.everyaction.com/9YL-CaP7OEyJMHqSm7jbBg2
Track air quality in your neighborhood: https://airwatchstl.mcustlouis.org
What ID will you need the next time you vote? How do you obtain the necessary ID? What has changed with absentee voting? What are the changes to registering voters? We talk over all of these things with Denise Lieberman, Denise Lieberman, the Director & General Counsel at Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.
Important links for voting:
MO Secretary of State: https://www.sos.mo.gov/
St. Francis Xavier College Church ID Assistance: https://sfxstl.org/birth-certificates-and-ids
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMissouriVoters
Text MOVPC to 66866 or email info@movpc.org
What ID will you need the next time you vote? How do you obtain the necessary ID? What has changed with absentee voting? What are the changes to registering voters? We talk over all of these things with Denise Lieberman, Denise Lieberman, the Director & General Counsel at Missouri Voter Protection Coalition.
Important links for voting:
MO Secretary of State: https://www.sos.mo.gov/
St. Francis Xavier College Church ID Assistance: https://sfxstl.org/birth-certificates-and-ids
Missouri Voter Protection Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMissouriVoters
Text MOVPC to 66866 or email info@movpc.org
Listen back to highlights from the 2022 Air Quality Rally. The program was hosted by Miles Brenton and you will hear from Rev. Kevin Anthony, DeAndress Green, Mamie Cosey, Rajiv Ravulapati, Dale Wojtkowski, Zach Chike, and Fr. Michler. Sponsors included Metropolitan Congregations United, United Congregations of Metro East, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.
Take action:
MO Residents Demanding the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reform its air permitting policy: https://bit.ly/MOAirPermitReform
IL Residents demand your state representatives support the Illinois Environmental Justice Permitting Bill: https://secure.everyaction.com/kg2wc7-OGEO2d-VIzqVLMw2
Join the UCM Youth Leadership training on 8/6: https://secure.everyaction.com/WV9mdclXikmZiaKARjimdQ2
Join MCU on 9/8 to learn how to Powerfully Engage with Boards and Commissions: https://secure.everyaction.com/-UZiMOGaBESiuskMNjV3fA2
Join the IL Sierra Club on 9/17 for the Mississippi Earthtones Festival: https://downtownalton.com/events/mississippi-earthtones-festival/
Listen back to highlights from the 2022 Air Quality Rally. The program was hosted by Miles Brenton and you will hear from Rev. Kevin Anthony, DeAndress Green, Mamie Cosey, Rajiv Ravulapati, Dale Wojtkowski, Zach Chike, and Fr. Michler. Sponsors included Metropolitan Congregations United, United Congregations of Metro East, the Sierra Club, the Nature Conservancy, and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment.
Take action:
MO Residents Demanding the Missouri Department of Natural Resources reform its air permitting policy: https://bit.ly/MOAirPermitReform
IL Residents demand your state representatives support the Illinois Environmental Justice Permitting Bill: https://secure.everyaction.com/kg2wc7-OGEO2d-VIzqVLMw2
Join the UCM Youth Leadership training on 8/6: https://secure.everyaction.com/WV9mdclXikmZiaKARjimdQ2
Join MCU on 9/8 to learn how to Powerfully Engage with Boards and Commissions: https://secure.everyaction.com/-UZiMOGaBESiuskMNjV3fA2
Join the IL Sierra Club on 9/17 for the Mississippi Earthtones Festival: https://downtownalton.com/events/mississippi-earthtones-festival/
BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME HEAT CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, THE AIR QUALITY RALLY ON JULY 23rd HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A VIRTUAL EVENT. YOU MAY STILL REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW.
Sister Dolores Sanchez and Adrian Stillman, of the MCU Environmental Task Force, talk about the March for Air Quality on July 23rd, air quality monitoring stations at area churches, passage of lead filtering legislation, and keeping our neighborhoods clean.
Register for the virtual Air Quality Rally at bit.ly/airrally22
Track your neighborhood's air quality at https://airwatchstl.mcustlouis.org/
BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME HEAT CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE, THE AIR QUALITY RALLY ON JULY 23rd HAS BEEN CHANGED TO A VIRTUAL EVENT. YOU MAY STILL REGISTER AT THE LINK BELOW.
Sister Dolores Sanchez and Adrian Stillman, of the MCU Environmental Task Force, talk about the March for Air Quality on July 23rd, air quality monitoring stations at area churches, passage of lead filtering legislation, and keeping our neighborhoods clean.
Register for the virtual Air Quality Rally at bit.ly/airrally22
Track your neighborhood's air quality at https://airwatchstl.mcustlouis.org/
This is Part 1 of our legislative update, reviewing the just completed Missouri Legislature general session. J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, of the MCU Legislative Task Force, the ups and downs of this spring, including voting rights, nurseries for new mothers who are incarcerated, public school funding, sexual assault survivors rights, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, and controlling utility rate increases on those with limited incomes.
This is Part 1 of our legislative update, reviewing the just completed Missouri Legislature general session. J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, of the MCU Legislative Task Force, the ups and downs of this spring, including voting rights, nurseries for new mothers who are incarcerated, public school funding, sexual assault survivors rights, the Missouri Nondiscrimination Act, and controlling utility rate increases on those with limited incomes.
This is Part 1 of our legislative update, reviewing the just completed Missouri Legislature general session. J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, of the MCU Legislative Task Force, the ups and downs of this spring, including removing lead from school drinking water, protecting the initiative petition process and Medicaid expansion, and the attempt to restrict the teaching of truth in school.
This is Part 1 of our legislative update, reviewing the just completed Missouri Legislature general session. J-MO, Organizer and Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, of the MCU Legislative Task Force, the ups and downs of this spring, including removing lead from school drinking water, protecting the initiative petition process and Medicaid expansion, and the attempt to restrict the teaching of truth in school.
Did you miss the MCU gala 'Dancing In The Streets"? Listen to powerful testimonies from Bethany Johnson-Javois, President & CEO of Deaconess Foundation, Barbara Johnson, MCU board member and organizer, Rev. Dr. Wendy Bruner, MCU Board President, DeMarco Davidson, MCU Sacred Votes Lead Organizer, Sarah Rose, MCU Treasurer, and Fran Collier, MCU organizer. We also recognized the long-term work of Rev. Dietra Wise Baker, Rev. Susan Sneed, and Jai Johnson.
Your contribution supports the work of these amazing people as we increase voter turnout, break the school-to-prison pipeline, get lead out of school drinking water, track air quality, and hold those in power accountable for creating a just and equitable community where all can thrive.
Give now at https://secure.everyaction.com/ejChtOI04U-HfLpTOd4L_g2
Tenants are joining together to protest poor living conditions in their apartments. Congregations are tracking the air quality in their neighborhoods. MCU organizers Myisha Johnson and Beth Gutzler bring us up to date on all of the action from the Housing and Environmental Justice Task forces.
Join MCU for the Housing Task Force Kick Off Event, May 31st at 7:30 PM over Zoom.
Join MCU for the Clean Air Rally and March, July 23rd at the McKinley Bridge Roadside Park.
For more information contact Myisha Johnson at myisha@mcustl.com or Beth Gutzler at beth@mcustl.com
You and your congregation are invited to "Dancing in the Streets" on May 19th, the 2022 MCU fundraising gala, featuring dinner, dancing, organizing, fundraising, and community building. In this episode, hear what MCU means to our organizers as we work to create a better life for all residents of the St. Louis region. You can support these powerful organizers by joining us on May 19th at the Polish Heritage Center for Dancing in the Streets. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/MCUGala.
Listen to another presentation from the 2022 Marilyn Stavenger Social Justice Symposium. Denise Lieberman, Director & General Counsel at Missouri Voter Protection Coalition describes the struggle for voting rights in the United States and in Missouri and the current threats to voting rights in bills before the state legislature.
Learn more about the Deaconess Foundation at https://www.facebook.com/ProtectMissouriVoters/
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Listen to presentations from the 2022 Marilyn Stavenger Social Justice Symposium. Through the Psalms, Dr. Clint McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Eden Seminary, shows how the work for justice is the desire of God. And Bethany Johnson-Javois, the President and CEO of the Deaconess Foundation, challenges participants to understand how citizens can feel that their daily lives are disconnected from voting, and a new approach is needed to increase participation.
Learn more about the Deaconess Foundation at https://deaconess.org/
Learn more about Eden Seminary at https://www.eden.edu/
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
MCU and other members of the national Gamaliel Network will be meeting in Memphis, TN, April 21-24, for a Get Out The Vote canvassing event ahead of the Tenessee primaries. MCU Executive Director, David Gerth, and MCU Sacred Votes Organizer, DeMarco Davidson tell us how the issues in Memphis are similar to issues in St. Louis. The weekend promises to build national relationships and energize local organizers for the August and November elections.
Learn more about the Gamaliel Network at https://gamaliel.org/
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Join MCU, Peace United Church of Christ, and Eden seminary for the 2022 Marilyn Stavenger Social Justice Symposium. Register at www.eden.edu/events/marilyn-stavenger-justice-symposium
We talk with MCU Board President, Rev. Wendy Bruner about the program and Julie Burchett of Churches Together for Justice of Webster Groves about activities related to the Symposium that put the symposium's values in action.
This year's symposium is entitled, “Rooted in Justice: Claiming Our Dignity, Embracing Our Power.” Featured speakers will be Bethany Johnson-Javois, President & CEO, Deaconess Foundation, Denise Lieberman, Director & General Counsel, Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, J. Clinton McCann, Evangelical Professor of Biblical Interpretation, Eden Theological Seminary.
The Missouri legislative session is in full swing and today we talk about the attempts by the legislature to stifle the teaching of historical truth in classrooms and the attempt to change the initiative petition process. Our guests are J-MO, Organizer & Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, a leader with the MCU Legislative Task Force.
Quick links to participate in our legislative actions:
Stop Suppression of Honest Teaching About Racism:take action to protect academic freedom and comprehensive education about racism and U.S. history: https://secure.everyaction.com/uI-KumCa5Emig4m5YiLqmw2
Protect Our Initiative Petition Process: Email your legislators now and tell them to oppose any effort to censor Missouri voters by making it harder to put issues on the ballot: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/protect-our-initiative-petition-process
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
The Missouri legislative session is in full swing and today we talk about MCU-backed bills to remove lead from school drinking water and expand expungement access for the formerly incarcerated. We also take a look at redistricting fights and the attempt to roll back Medicaid expansion. Our guests are J-MO, Organizer & Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU, and Allyn Harris Dault, a leader with the MCU Legislative Task Force.
Quick links to participate in our legislative actions:
Get the Lead Out of School Water: Add your name to the MCU testimony in support of a bill to remove lead from school drinking water: https://secure.everyaction.com/x8fHKd9TDEC0rW_-PGCiIQ2
Encourage your Missouri State Representative to co-sponsor the bill: https://secure.everyaction.com/bPj_nma070m2R_X8oddJQw2
Stop Illegal Dumping: Join MCU in calling for St. Louis area leaders to strengthen enforcement of laws fighting the illegal dumping of trash in our neighborhoods: https://secure.everyaction.com/2fekWb3ohEWKpr3dLt385g2
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
People we know and trust are our biggest influences when making decisions, including voting decisions. DeMarco Davidson, the Lead Organizer for the MCU Sacred Votes campaign, describes how this natural trust can be harnessed to create a more active and informed voting public.
Affordable, stable, and safe housing creates stability with work, school, health, and wellbeing. But if housing is expensive, inconsistent, or dangerous, families are uprooted, children suffer, and quality of life declines. Myisha Johnson is MCU's new Housing Justice Organizer. We talk about the importance of a Tenant's Bill of Rights, the lack of affordable housing in St. Louis, unhealthy property, fighting evictions, and how to find help.
For help with unhealthy environments, discrimination, increased rent, or eviction, these are resources available in St. Louis:
Equal Housing Opportunity Council
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
St. Louis Mediation Project
Homes For All St. Louis
Missouri Housing Development Commission
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Take a listen to highlights of This is What Democracy Sounds Like from May through August of 2021. Guests include Rev. Susan Sneed, Jim Sahaida, Sean Hadley, LaTrisha Gandy, Rev. Bethany Johnson Javois, Richard Van Glahn, Sidney D. Watson, Dr. Charlotte Ijei, and Barabara Johnson.
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Take a listen to highlights of This is What Democracy Sounds Like from March and April of 2021. Guests include Karmahn Leach, LaTrisha Gandy, DeMarco Davidson, Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould, Sister Dolores Sanchez, Beth Gutzler, and Emiline Giles.
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Take a listen to highlights of This is What Democracy Sounds Like from January and February of 2021. Guests include Israel Collier, Joshua Saleem, Latrell Stanton, Rev. Darryl Gray, Rev. Jon Stratton, and Richard von Glahn.
If you are ready to join us in the work for justice in the St. Louis area, contact us at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com
You can learn more and contribute to Metropolitan Congregations United on our website: mcustlouis.org. Also be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for news and events.
Over 20 MCU Congregations met with their elected representatives in the past six months, including city, county, and state officials. Hear the concerns congregations brought forward and hear what these elected leaders are focused on. Also, learn how MCU will turn these meetings into action through relational voter outreach in the 2022 election season. Then contact MCU at 314-367-3484 or office@mcustl.com to let us know that your congregation is ready to mobilize people.
Register for the Jan. 18 - MCU Annual Meeting at: bit.ly/3dXrUsV
Mark your calendar for Relational Voter Training, Jan. 25, Jan. 29, & Feb. 5
Meet Thomas Payton, a life-long St. Louisan. He is driven by the desire that his children and grandchildren do not face the racism that he has faced. And for Thomas, love for others and love for justice are the core of following the way of Jesus.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
For Allyn Harris Dault, participation with MCU has been an opportunity for spiritual and relational growth through vulnerability. Allyn is a member of the Metropolitan Congregations United legislative task force and believes politics is an opportunity for people of faith to step forward to express their values.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
Meet Marge and John Asbury who have a lifetime of commitment to children and families. In MCU and its predecessors, they have engaged in police accountability, pay-day loan reform, and Medicaid expansion, just to name a few. All of which are efforts to create a healthier and more just environment for children and families.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
Meet Jeanette Mott Oxford, Organizer & Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU. Organizing for justice has been in her blood for a long time. Raised in a small town in southeast Illinois and lead by her Christian faith, Jeanette has taken her passion for working for the people to the statehouse in Jefferson City. Now we are blessed to have her knowledge and drive as a leader at MCU.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
Meet Barbara Johnson, an organizer with the Metropolitan Congregations United Education Task Force. She has a lifelong passion for the well-being of children, mothers, and families. That passion inspires her to fight against racism and poverty threaten the safety and opportunities for kids and families.
Your passion also has a place at MCU. Call 314-367-3484 or email office@mcustl.com to join the work. Or go to mcustlouis.org/give/ to support MCU.
Public meetings, in-district meetings, and canvassing are all tools that MCU is using to organize and increase voter and citizen participation. We talk with LaTrisha Gandy, an organizer with MCU’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, and Jeanette Mott Oxford, Organizer & Lead Campaign Strategist for MCU to talk about these tools
Plus, learn how your congregation can host their own in-district meetings with your elected officials.
In the late 1990s, Bobby Bostic was sentenced on multiple counts to be served consecutively, adding up to 241 years - effectively a life sentence without parole. BUT NOW - because of a new Missouri law, Bobby has a chance at freedom through a parole hearing set for November. Listen again to our conversation with Israel Collier about Bobby's story. Then take action. Write in support of Bobby receiving parole to:
Institutional Parole Officer
Jefferson City Correctional Center
8200 No More Victims Road
Jefferson City, Mo. 65101
For more information go to: http://www.freebobbybostic.com/how-to-help.html
On October 2, MCU will host a public meeting at New Northside Church in Jennings, Missouri, where the community and the neighborhood clergy will present their concerns to the City Council. This meeting is part of a broader effort through MCU and the Jennings Clergy Coalition to break the school-to-prison pipeline in the community. In this program, we talk with two leaders in this effort, LaTrisha Gandy, an organizer with MCU’s Juvenile Justice Task Force, and Evangelist Bethany Johnson-Javois, Associate Pastor at Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ and the incoming president and chief executive officer of the Deaconess Foundation.
The MCU Environmental Justice Taskforce will deploy air quality monitors in impacted communities in partnership with local congregations. These will give local organizers the data to push for air quality improvements in neighborhoods where kids are most vulnerable. We talk with Beth Gutzler and Mayisha Johnson of the MCU Environmental Taskforce about this effort, canvassing neighborhoods, and organizing for healthy living spaces.
There is a push to make it illegal for public schools to teach the truth about American history and prevent schools from creating equitable and just spaces for children. We talk with educators about the necessity for teaching justice and equity in schools and how they work to create environments where it happens. We also talk about the politicization of the term "critical race theory" and the impact of those politics on schools. Our guests are Dr. Charlotte Ijei of the Parkway School District and Barbara Johnson and Lisa Thompson of the MCU Education Task Force.
On July 22, The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the voter-approved expansion of Medicaid is legal and Constitutional. But where do things stand now? When can Missourians begin to enroll? Is there enough money? What role do the Governor and the Legislature have to play? Could expansion be delayed again? We talk with Sidney D. Watson of the Center for Health Law Studies at the Saint Louis University School of Law and Richard Van Glahn about the status of Medicaid Expansion in Missouri.
On July 7th the MCU Legislative Task Force held a public meeting over Zoom to run down issues addressed this past spring in Jefferson City, learn how those issues directly impact real people, and to talk about how we as citizens can join together to take action.
On July 24th join MCU and United Congregations of Metro East for an Air Quality Rally at the McKinley Bridge. The day starts at 9 AM at the McKinley Bridge Roadside Park in Venice, IL. To let us know the details and why the event is being held, we talk with Sister Dolores Sanchez, Environmental Justice Organizer for MCU and Kentaro Kumanomido, Digital & Environmental Justice Community Organizer of UCM.
Be sure to join us as we march across the bridge for clean air for all on both sides of the River.
https://www.canva.com/design/DAEjXa7y8Mc/yxRL_U6WpACAKvNyn7L2Ow/view?website
United Congregations of Metro East: https://www.ucmetroeast.org/
Funding for Raise the Age, improvements for the expungement process, outlawing choke holds, tracking of use of force by police, new requirements for hiring officers, and reporting bad officers. Did you know all of these things passed this past legislative session in Missouri? We talk with State Senator Brian Williams about the measures he sponsored and passed. Plus, we get an update on Medicaid in Missouri.
On June 19th Join us in Jennings for a day of Juneteenth celebration and action. Click the link below to register. In this program, MCU organizer LaTrisha Gandy and Associate Pastor Bethany Johnson-Javois give a preview of the day's events and the long-term commitment to building power and relationships in Jennings. The day starts at 9 AM at Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ at 5400 Janet Ave.
https://secure.everyaction.com/USbaPpg5jki57QChQnmMBA2
https://fb.me/e/1uHVA1p7G
To learn more about the MCU Participatory Defense support group:
Text #LoveYouth to 31996
https://mcustlouis.org/events/justice-for-you-families-impacted-by-the-juvenile-courts/
To learn more about Monument of Faith Church of God in Christ:
http://www.Blowwindblow.org/
https://www.facebook.com/themonumentors
A continuation from MCU’s recent Environmental Justice Public Meeting. This program took place on April 29th over Zoom. This program is lead by Sister Dolores Sanchez, and Beth Gutzler, lead environmental justice organizers for MCU, Kentaro Kumanomido the Digital & Environmental Justice Community Organizer of United Congregations of Metro East, and Father Vince Nyman and Ken Denson, members of the MCU environmental task force.
To Connect:
Sierra Club Missouri Chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/missouri
United Congregation of Metro East: https://www.ucmetroeast.org/
Community First Plus: https://www.facebook.com/Community-First-Plus-102954245173621
This program features excerpts from the MCU Environmental Justice Public Meeting from April 29th. You will hear from Emmiline Giles, the lead environmental justice organizer with MCU, Rev. Kevin D. Anthony a leader on the MCU environment justice task force, Leah Clyburn the Beyond Coal Senior Organizer with the Sierra Club Missouri Chapter, Kentaro Kumanomido the Digital & Environmental Justice Community Organizer of United Congregations of Metro East, Mamie Cosey, a resident of Sauget, IL, and Myisha Johnson, a co-director of Community First Plus. The guests speak on the day-to-day direct impact of pollution and environmental racism on residents of the St. Louis region.
To Connect:
Sierra Club Missouri Chapter: https://www.sierraclub.org/missouri
United Congregation of Metro East: https://www.ucmetroeast.org/
Community First Plus: https://www.facebook.com/Community-First-Plus-102954245173621
In 2013, MCU joined with several other community organizations dedicated to racial equity in the workplace and signed a historic community benefits agreement or CBA with the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District or MSD. Learn how this agreement, centered around a decades-long infrastructure project, guaranteed work to minority and women-owned businesses, that workforce numbers would equitably represent the minority/female community population, and training for this specialized work would be funded to ensure a new generation of sewer, tunnel, and water-treatment workers.
We talk with Rev. Susan Sneed and Jim Sahaida of MCU and Sean Hadley of MSD about the tough negotiations to get to this agreement and how the agreement has benefited both the community and MSD.
Read more:
https://mcustlouis.org/news/work-and-economic-equity-community-benefits-agreement-with-msd/
https://msdprojectclear.org/about/diversity/programs-resources/community-benefits-agreement/
In August of 2020, Missouri voters approved an amendment to the state constitution to expand Medicaid coverage to an additional 230,000 Missourians who lack health insurance. The Missouri legislature is ignoring the will of the voters and refusing to fund Medicaid expansion. We talk about the excuses given by our elected officials and how hard-working Missourians will be hurt if legislators fail to do their duty. Our guests are Richard Van Glahn of Missouri Jobs with Justice and Traci Gleason of the Missouri Budget Project.
Take action with Missouri Jobs with Justice:
https://www.mojwj.org/blog/what-you-need-to-know-about-medicaid-expansion-in-missouri/
Learn more about the fine details of Medicaid Expansion and the Missouri budget:
https://www.mobudget.org/
Environmental Justice is a large systemic issue that requires long-term, purposeful community work. MCU Environmental Justice organizers Emmaline Giles, Beth Gutzler, and Sister Dolores Sanchez talk about the power available when affected people organize to fight for a healthy environment where they live, work, and play.
Read more about environmental racism in a 2019 report published by Washington University in partnership with Action St. Louis, Arch City Defenders, Dutchtown South Community Corporation, and the Sierra Club. https://law.wustl.edu/interdisciplinary-environmental-clinic-authors-study-on-environmental-racism/
What is environmental racism and how does it impact our communities? This is one of the questions that will be addressed at the Mothering the Earth Symposium on May 1. In this episode, we preview that topic with symposium speaker, Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould of Missouri Fath Voices and Rev. Wendy Bruner, Pastor of Peace UCC and Board President of MCU.
For more information on the Symposium: https://fb.me/e/dj6V99ykv
To register for the Symposium: tinyurl.com/peace-symposium-registration
Raise the Age funding, Medicaid expansion, the right to protest, and expungement expansion - all of these issues are currently being decided in the Missouri legislature, and all of them will directly impact vulnerable Missourians and our ability to fight for them. We replay recent interviews we've had with those close to these issues.
Now is the time to raise your voice to your State Senators and Representatives. Contact them now about these issues. Decisions that impact your life will be decided in the coming weeks.
Find your legislators here:
https://www.senate.mo.gov/LegisLookup/Default.aspx
Raise the Age, HB1242:
https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB1242&year=2021&code=R
Contact the Senate Appropriations Committee about Medicaid expansion:
https://www.senate.mo.gov/aprp/
Obstructing traffic while protesting, SB26:
https://www.senate.mo.gov/21info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=54105537
Expungement Expansion, SB61:
https://www.senate.mo.gov/21info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=54105450
Men and women who have been convicted of a crime and have severed their sentences, including probation and parole, are still burdened with perpetual punishment. No matter how long ago, a past conviction can prevent a person from being hired, finding employment, or obtaining loans. Expungement removes this obstacle, but it applies to a limited number of people and can be expensive. Missouri Senate Bill 61 seeks to expand eligibility and make the expungement process easier.
Latrel and Tracy Stanton, organizers from EXPO St. Louis, lead this discussion on Senate Bill 61. They talk with Johnny Waller, who current expungement laws have impacted, Martin Hutchins of Arch City Defenders, and Senator Brian Willams, the sponsor of Senate Bill 61.
https://www.senate.mo.gov/21info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=54105450
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
https://twitter.com/ExpoStL
Every community has problems and concerns that need to be addressed. And every community has the power to make changes to improve the community. But do we know what we want and who the decision-makers are? MCU is conducting transformative conversations in impacted communities so that MCU and citizens can clarify what change needs to happen and who can implement that change. We talk with DeMarco Davidson, Lead Organizer for the MCU Sacred Votes campaign, about the ins and outs of transformative conversations and how this tool can focus the people's voice. Just ask the residents of Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
To get involved, contact DeMarco Davidson at demarco@mcustl.com.
Do have a loved one involved with the juvenile courts? Is your family overwhelmed by the impersonal system that ignores your child's full story? The MCU Participatory Defense Hub offers support and guidance for navigating this scary system. We talk with LaTrisha Gandy and Karmahn Leach, organizers for the Participatory Defense Hub, and also mothers who have walked this difficult path to fight for their children.
If your family has a child engaged with the juvenile courts:
Text #LoveYouth to 31996
Call (314) 367-3484
https://mcustlouis.org/events/justice-for-you-families-impacted-by-the-juvenile-courts/
Missouri Senate Bill 26, aimed squarely at those fighting for Black liberation in the State, will criminalize the right to protest and stifle dissent. We talk with Rev. Darryl Gray of Expect Us - St. Louis, Rev. Jon Stratton of Trinity Episcopal Church in St. Louis, and Richard von Glahn of Missouri Jobs with Justice about the white supremacist intentions of this bill, how it will stifle free speech, and the additional problematic concerns of Senate Bill 26.
Missouri Jobs With Justice
https://mojwj.org/
Trinity Church
https://www.trinitycwe.org/
Expect Us St. Louis
https://www.facebook.com/FrontLineA1
https://twitter.com/EStl365
On February 6, a group of men held in the St. Louis City Justice Center took over a floor of the facility in protest over conditions and mistreatment. This was the third action at the CJC since December. We talked with Latrell Stanton, an organizer with EXPO St. Louis about what the men in the CJC face and why they have decided to stand up. We also talk about why it is important for others to stand with them.
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
Text EXPO to 31996
mcu-expo@mcustlouis.com
We talk with Joshua Saleem, the St. Louis Peace Education Program Director of the American Friends Service Committee, about restorative practices in schools. Restorative practices look to build caring relationships between students and staff, and students and their peers, creating an educational environment where students are encouraged and empowered. And if discipline is required, the aim is to restore the student to the community instead of removal. Find out how these practices can shut down the school-to-prison pipeline at the source.
American Friends Service Committee St. Louis
Website: https://www.afsc.org/office/st-louis-mo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AFSCstlouis
Joshua Saleem: JSaleem@afsc.org
School districts can overwhelm busy parents and guardians, and there is extra pressure on families with remote learning during the pandemic. How does one demand that their child receives the educational resources they need? How does one demand fairness for their child when discipline issues arise? MCU and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri provide tools, networking, and support for parents to advocate for their children. We talk with Lisa Thompson, an organizer on the MCU Education Task Force, and Hopey Fink, a staff attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Missouri.
Metropolitan Congregations United
https://mcustlouis.org/
314-367-3484
Legal Services of Eastern Missouri
https://lsem.org/
ejp@lsem.org
314-256-8789
EdRights App
https://lsem.org/edrights-app/
We continue our discussion with members of EXPO - Ex-incarcerated People Organizing. This week we turn our attention to matters close to the heart of EXPO members. We talk about how and why they joined EXPO and why taking action and paying attention politically is so important.
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
Meet the members of EXPO-St. Louis - Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing. Learn about EXPO's actions demanding accountability at the Dismas transitional housing, fighting to Unlock the Vote for those on probation and parole, and speaking up for those in prison without a voice.
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
Missouri voters passed Medicaid Expansion this past August. Will Jefferson City follow through and implement it and benefit 230,000 Missourians? What's happened with the nearly 100,000 children that were dropped from Medicaid a few years ago? What is the status of COVID-19 and the vaccine in Missouri? We talk with Jen Bersdale and Emilia Hinckley of Missouri Health Care for All about these and other issues of health care in the state.
Learn more at:
https://missourihealthcareforall.org/
https://missouricovidaction.org/
https://www.facebook.com/MoHealthCareAll/
https://twitter.com/MoHealthCareAll
Contact Emilia Hinckley at emilia@mohealthcareforall.org
In 1997 Bobby Bostic was only 17 years old when he was sentenced to 241 years in prison. Bobby's inhumane sentence remains in place despite his reform, a Supreme Court ruling that would seem to apply, the judge who sentenced him admitting her mistake, and bi-partisan support in Jefferson City.
Israel Collier tells Bobby's story and the details of the injustices that keep him from freedom. She also lets us know how we can advocate for Bobby.
Find your Missouri Rep. and tell them to support H.B. 636 https://house.mo.gov/
Sign a petition at:
http://chng.it/gkvrc9YccR
https://diy.rootsaction.org/petitions/undo-unconstitutional-life-without-parole-sentence-for-bobby-bostic
https://action.aclu.org/petition/mo-clemency-for-bobby-bostic
Connect on Twitter and Instagram @FreeBobbyBostic
And learn more about Bobby Bostic at www.freebobbybostic.com/
In this episode, listen to the personal stories of MCU organizers about the work over the past year. This work cannot happen without the financial support of the community. You can participate by going to https://mcustlouis.org/give/
Recently, a group of mothers who support MCU heard the national call to action following the Nov election. They challenged MCU to match their donation of $20,020 and build our financial power through new sustainers, or monthly donors. Our sustainers are critically important to our work and their donations go directly to those working on one of our 4 campaigns; sacred votes, break the school to prison pipeline, ex-incarcerated people organizing and fighting for environmental justice in St Louis.
Direct action pushes elected officials to pay attention to issues they might ignore. But what happens when an activist enters government service? How does one bring the activist mindset to institutions that work on bargains and not upsetting the status quo? We talk with Rev. Darryl Gray about this balance and how Cori Bush used relational organizing skills to gain support in unexpected places. We also discuss the nature of the severely divided politics of Missouri.
This episode features highlights from the MCU Raise the Age Virtual Rally, recorded on December 10th over Zoom.
On Jan 1, 2021, Missouri becomes the latest of 45 states who have raised the age of juvenile jurisdiction! This means 17-year-olds will no longer be automatically tried and incarcerated as adults. But there is more work to be done because the Missouri Legislature has left this law unfunded. Hear from those impacted, learn about the law, and join us in calling for funding "Raise the Age." Contact Nick.Schroer@house.mo.gov, wayne.wallingford@senate.mo.gov, and David.Evans@house.mo.gov to urge them to act!
https://mcustlouis.org/issues/expo-mo/save-the-bill-save-our-youth/
We talk with Ronnie Amiyn of EXPO about two actions coming up, Dec. 9th and Dec. 17th. On Dec. 9th, EXPO and MCU will host a virtual conference on housing discrimination of men and women returning from incarcerated. On Dec. 17th, EXPO and MCU will lead an action about the conditions at the Dismas House for those transitioning out of prison.
We also continue our discussion with Maria Millier or Our Lives Matter about the spread of COVID-19 within the Missouri Prison system.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1308775709457009
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
https://www.facebook.com/Our-LIVES-Matter-1097993126883903
The Missouri State Legislature has been called back for a very rare second special session. On the agenda is allocating COVID-19 relief funds and a pet issue for the Governor. But there have also been hearings to lay the groundwork for reforming the use of force by police in Missouri. Where do things stand and what can we expect from the 2021 regular session? To find out, we talk with State Senator-Elect Steven Roberts.
Mark your calendar for December 10 & 11, when MCU will rally to demand that the State of Missouri fully fund and implement Raise the Age, which passed with bipartisan support in 2018. We talk with LaTrisha Gandy, Organizer for MCU Break the Pipeline, Karmahn Leach, a parent organizer for MCU, and Kristian Blackman, an Organizer for Campaign for Youth Justice, about Raise the Age and the need to pressure the Missouri legislature to fund an implement the change.
Listeners can contact members of the Blue Ribbon Panel on Juvenile Justice to demand that they act to protect Missouri children. https://raisetheagemo.squarespace.com/take-action
Follow MCU for details on our action to Raise the Age
https://www.facebook.com/MCUStLouis
https://twitter.com/MCUStLouis
https://www.instagram.com/mcustlouis/
The Missouri Department of Corrections impacts families, putting their lives in limbo, filling lives with anxiety. Will my loved one get enough to eat? Will they be safe from violence? Will they be safe from disease? Will they be cared for if sick or injured? Will they come home to the family? Hear the story of a man incarcerated in the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center and his wife. Then join the movement to force MoDOC to treat men like him with dignity and respect.
https://www.facebook.com/EXPOSTL
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Our-LIVES-Matter-1097993126883903/
Why are you voting? Need some last-minute inspiration before going to the polls? Revisit the MCU Public Meeting from this past summer. Hear inspirational messages from Rev. James Ross, II, and Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders. Listen to testimony from citizens who are impacted by health care policy, gerrymandering, and disenfranchisement. This August, we ensured equity in health care by passing Medicaid Expansion. Today, Nov. 3, we protect fair systems of democracy by voting NO on Amendment 3. And we get ready to expand voting rights to those on probation or parole through the Unlock the Vote movement.
Amendment 3 overturns the will of the 62% of Missouri voters who passed Clean Missouri in 2018. It puts redistricting in the hands of politicians, it sets the stage for the most extreme gerrymandering in the country, it will not 1.5 million Missourians for representation, and the politicians behind it have been lying about it all along. We talk with Sean Soendker Nicholson and Lexi Amos of the Clean Missouri Campaign and Robert Karr, an MCU organizer about the dirty details on Amendment 3.
NoOn3
https://www.cleanmissouri.org/
There have been two recent court cases in Missouri about absentee and mail-in voting. What happened, and how does it affect you? We talk with Jennifer Lohman of the St. Louis Voter Protection Coalition gives us the answers and other tips on making sure your vote counts.
Find voter information at https://www.sos.mo.gov/elections
To volunteer to protect voting rights, go to https://protectthevote.net/
If you have questions about any aspect of voting or are having problems voting or at a polling place, go to https://866ourvote.org/, call or text866-OUR-VOTE, or reach out on Twitter at @866OURVOTE or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/866OurVote
An unhealthy environment puts extra pressure on people facing poverty, lack of health care options, and racism. We talk with Emmaline Giles of MCU and Leah Clyburn of the Sierra Club Missouri Chapter about organizing people to fight for an environment that fosters thriving communities. We also talk about how COVID-19 has challenged community organizing and provided opportunities to develop richer relationships.
More information and resources:
Sierra Club Missouri Chapter
St. Louis Mutual Aid
Metropolitan Congregations United
Sierra Club Legislative Scorecard
Jemez Principals
Join MCU, Our Lives Matter, and EXPO St. Louis on Oct. 15th in Jefferson City for a call to action rally to demand the Missouri Department of Corrections address Missouri prisons' conditions and provide transparency for their procedures. We talk with Maria Miller of Our Lives Matter and Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing (EXPO) about the rally and hear from someone incarcerated with first-hand knowledge of conditions.
Send an email to mcu-expo@mcustl.com or mywayout2018@gmail.com to participate.
Find out more at:
https://fb.me/e/1CuwEvbw4
https://www.facebook.com/Our-LIVES-Matter-1097993126883903
Amendment 3 overturns the will of the 62% of Missouri voters who passed Clean Missouri in 2018. It puts redistricting in the hands of politicians, it sets the stage for the most extreme gerrymandering in the country, it will not 1.5 million Missourians for representation, and the politicians behind it have been lying about it all along. We talk with Sean Soendker Nicholson and Lexi Amos of the Clean Missouri Campaign and Robert Karr, an MCU organizer about the dirty details on Amendment 3.
https://www.cleanmissouri.org/
Tuesday is National Voter Registration Day AND the first day of absentee voting in Missouri. Things will be kicked off with the John Lewis "Good Trouble" Voter Awareness March at 11 AM in downtown St. Louis. We talk about this event and all things voting in Missouri with Dr. Gena McClendon of the Brown School at Washington University (https://csd.wustl.edu/publications-gena-mcclendon/) and Jennifer Lohman of the St. Louis Area Voter Protection Coalition. (https://www.facebook.com/STLVPC).
The Missouri Department of Corrections has no unified plan for preventing the entry and spread of the COVID-19 virus in the state prison system. Each facility makes its own procedures. Some are careful and use protection; many are making no effort to control the disease. The virus has fertile ground in facilities that are crowded and already have substandard health protocols. Men and women who are incarcerated and their families are living in fear and frustration. They find little transparency, and when they speak out for justice, retaliation is swift.
Men who are incarcerated and families of those incarcerated share with us their lived experiences. We also hear from Maria Miller, founder of Our Lives Matter and a leader with EXPO, EX-Incarcerated Persons Organizing, and Kingya, the host of Kingya Speaks, a member of EXPO, and a human rights activist, and Elyse Max of State Director for Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Our-LIVES-Matter-1097993126883903/
https://www.blogtalkradio.com/kingya
https://madpmo.org/
The final push for the 2020 election is here, and our congregations have a goal to increase voter turn out in their neighborhoods by 20%. But our efforts are to build community power far beyond November 3. We talk with DeMarco Davidson of Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU) in St. Louis and Marcus Winn of Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2) in Kansas City about integrated voter engagement (IVE). IVE seeks to build relationships of voters to work for their shared interests for building the beloved community.
https://mcustlouis.org/events/
https://www.more2.org/
This summer, Governor Mike Parson called a special session of the Missouri State Legislature to address crime. What has resulted is very detailed and can be confusing. We talk with State Representative Steve Roberts to sort through the good and bad of proposals that have been winding their way through Jefferson City, including certifying juveniles as adults in the courts and concurrent jurisdiction for the Circuit Attorney of the City of St. Louis.
The MCU Education Task Force has developed four demands of school districts as they educate children during the COVID-19 pandemic. And the Task Force has published a new resource for parents and teachers to use in teaching children about the issues that have created the “School to Prison Pipeline”. The activities and readings explore racism, equity, human rights, and advocacy. And we talk about the ongoing efforts to develop parents' power through the ballot box and the ongoing work to break the school to prison pipeline.
You can request a copy of the resource guide at https://mcustlouis.org/resources/mcu-releases-guide-to-resources-on-social-justice/
In 2018, 60% of Missouri voters said, "Yes," to Clean Missouri - a ballot initiative to clean up gerrymandering in the state and clean up dirty money to state legislators. It's passage made Missouri a model of good governance. But this year, the politicians are trying to undo the will of the voters with Amendment 3. This amendment on the November ballot would overturn the fair map rules put into law by voters, and to replace the good policy in our constitution now with a radical gerrymandering scheme. Their plan is deceptive, deceitful, and all about protecting incumbent politicians in rigged, super-safe districts where voters can't hold them accountable.
NoOn3
https://www.cleanmissouri.org/
On Sunday, July 19th, Metropolitan Congregations United held it's annual Public Meeting. This podcast is Part 2 of the meeting, highlighting the commitments from member denominations, congregations, and individuals to work for justice in our region and state and to support MCU. Denominational leaders making commitments represented the Catholic church, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal church, the Disciples of Christ, the United Methodist, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
This year, in particular, has brought attention to the ongoing racism and inequality in our most important social systems, as well as the actions we can take to make change.
We can ensure equity in healthcare through Medicaid Expansion. We can create fair systems of democracy through the defeat of Amendment 3 and preserving CLEAN Missouri. We can give voting rights to disenfranchised persons through Unlock the Vote.
https://mcustlouis.org/section/issues/unlockthevotemo/
https://www.yeson2.org/
https://www.cleanmissouri.org/
On Sunday, July 19th, Metropolitan Congregations United held it's annual Public Meeting. This podcast is Part 1 of the meeting, featuring messages from Rev. James Ross, II, and Rev. Dr. Ben Sanders and testimonials from citizens who directly benefit from Unlock the Vote, Medicaid Expansion, and Clean Missouri campaigns.
This year, in particular, has brought attention to the ongoing racism in our most important social systems, as well as the actions we can take to make change.
We can ensure equity in healthcare through Medicaid Expansion. We can create fair systems of democracy through the defeat of Amendment 3 and preserving CLEAN Missouri. We can give voting rights to disenfranchised persons through Unlock the Vote.
https://mcustlouis.org/section/issues/unlockthevotemo/
https://www.yeson2.org/
https://www.cleanmissouri.org/
What are the options for voting during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do I vote by mail? Do I need a notary? How will the pandemic affect in-person voting on Election Day? Am I registered to vote? Do I need a photo ID? Dr. Gena McClendon of the Brown School at Washington University (https://csd.wustl.edu/publications-gena-mcclendon/) and Jennifer Lohman of the St. Louis Area Voter Protection Coalition (https://www.facebook.com/STLVPC) walk us through the voting in Missouri in 2020.
Rev. Dietra Wise-Baker updates efforts to protect youth who are being held by the criminal justice system from COVID-19 and the broader effort to de-carcerate youth who would be better at home. If you have a child who is involved in court, the Division of Youth Services, or in detention - text #LoveYouth to 31996 to join our Tuesday evening virtual meetings to organize for individual support and systemic change.
Amendment 2, Medicaid Expansion for Missouri, is on the ballot on August 4th - a day that is quickly approaching. Mikel Whittier, Mikel Whittier, the Coalitions Director for Health Care For Missouri Campaign, talks about how expanding Medicaid benefits hard-working Missourians, saves the state money, and will create jobs. Expanding Medicaid will bring health care coverage to more than 230,000 Missourians.
https://www.yeson2.org/
This program was originally posted on May 19.
MEDICAID EXPANSION, AMENDMENT 2, WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN MISSOURI ON AUG. 4, 2020
We talk with Richard Von Glahn of Missouri Jobs With Justice and Robert Karr from Metropolitan Congregations United about the next steps in ensuring 230,000 more Missourians receive health care coverage. We also talk about the latest developments from the Missouri legislature as they try to blunt the reach of Medicaid Expansion and gut Clean Missouri.
https://mcustlouis.org/
https://mojwj.org/
Emmaline Giles, Environmental Justice Organizer for MCU, talks about the scope of environmental justice. Food insecurity, lead poisoning, and substandard housing hit vulnerable communities the hardest. The impact of the health of the surrounding area is another area of inequality. See what issues impact St. Louis and what MCU is doing to organize around the issue of environmental justice.
One of the tools being used to confront systemic racism and the use of lethal force is called direct action. Rev. James Ross, II talks about what direct action is and is not and how direct action relates to Christian faith. Rev. Ross is the pastor at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in St. Louis and is the new President of the Board of MCU.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic arrived just when the 2020 U.S. Census was scheduled to happen. This important part of our democracy determines everything from representation to funding to where businesses locate. Jai Johnson of Metropolitan Congregations United talks the Community Ambassador program that checks in on the wellbeing of our seniors and makes sure all of our citizens are counted. This program was recorded on March 27, 2020.
https://squareup.com/store/mcu
It's time once again for MCU's Jammin' For Justice. We talk with Lisa Thompson and Sarah Rose about how COVID-19 has made us change things up. So this year brings us a summer series of three virtual events called Jammin’ for Justice @ Home (June 12, July 10, and August 14). The goals for this event are 1) to raise money for MCU, 2) to help local performers earn some money, and 3) to support local businesses. Performers will receive a percentage of ticket sales and can promote their music. Gift cards will be given to nightly winners of the raffle held at the end of the evening (you can even win if not on the Zoom call). Additionally, all raffle tickets will be added to the pool for the Night Out Raffle during our finale. If you participate in Jammin’ @ Home, we can guarantee you, not only good entertainment but also that you will be raising money for a great cause while helping local community members who are missing the income that they would be making by performing or having customers frequent their businesses.
Event tickets and raffle chances are available at https://squareup.com/store/mcu. If you would like to directly help a struggling business and can afford to buy a gift certificate, we would love for you to donate it to Jammin’ for Justice. The donations will highlight your favorite business AND, to thank you, you’ll get free access to one of the events or a $20 credit towards an All-Access Pass. Donations can be sent now until August 8th to MCU’s office (4501 Westminster Place, 63108).
Children bring to school whatever they are going through at home. Educators who can recognize trauma and help children feel safe and loved will see them thrive. Without that, children can fall behind in class or develop behavior harmful to themselves or others. Establishing trauma-informed education practices is an essential piece of breaking the school to prison pipeline. In this episode, we talk with Art McCoy, Ph.D., the Superintendent of the Jennings School District in St. Louis County, about how his district approaches this issue.
Nearly 350,000 signatures from Missouri voters, almost twice the number required, have been submitted to put Medicaid Expansion on the ballot in the state this fall.
We talk with Richard Von Glahn of Missouri Jobs With Justice and Robert Karr from Metropolitan Congregations United about the next steps in ensuring 230,000 more Missourians receive health care coverage. We also talk about the latest developments from the Missouri legislature as they try to blunt the reach of Medicaid Expansion and gut Clean Missouri.
https://mcustlouis.org/
https://mojwj.org/
MCU, EX-incarcerated People Organizing-MO (EXPO-MO), and Campaign for Youth Justice (TCYJ) staged a protest parade on May 8 at the Division of Youth Service’s Hogan St. Center. #freeouryouth
In this episode, we talk with Rev. Dietra Wise-Baker and LaTrisha Gandy about the risk of COVID-19 to youth in DYS facilities, the challenges facing families with loved ones in the system, and efforts to bring these children home where they can thrive.
If you have a loved one who is a youth involved in the court system, text #LoveYouth to 31996 to join the MCU participatory defense virtual meetings on Tuesday evenings. Participants will learn how to navigate the system, understand their rights, and advocate for their youths.
On April 30th the leaders and members of Metropolitan Congregations United gathered virtually over Zoom to recomit to our work of justice, even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We recomitted to end the school to prison pipeline affecting our black youth. We recomitted to defend the vote of the people against legislators who prefer gerrymandering to fair district maps. We recomitted to supporting vulnerable people in need of the basics in this time. And we recomitted to organizing our congregations to do the work of justtice. To join us, please go to www.mcustlouis.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Men and women in jail or prison deal daily with a system that is designed to deny their humanity through overcrowding in tight quarters, lack of hygiene supplies, poor ventilation, and mistreatment. In this environment, COVID-19 will strike hard. We talk with Maria Miller of Our Lives Matter and EXPO (EX-Incarcerated People Organizing and Charlie Gentry of EXPO and Unlock the Vote about the dangers the coronavirus pandemic poses to men and women who imprisoned and advocating for their health and humanity.
In this episode we talk with Rev. Susan Sneed about the origins of Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU), our goals, our activities, and how we do our work in the St. Louis region.