Bud’s Bulletin – June 2024 – Mid-Missouri Democratic Socialists of America

What We’ve Been Up To

On Sunday, May 19, we hosted Organize CoMo, where we shared some great food and heard presentations from Mid-MO DSA, Missouri Jobs with Justice, CoMo Mobile Aid Collective, The Boone County Community Bail Fund, Sierra Club Mid-Missouri Group, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, The John Brown Gun Club, Columbia IWW, Columbia

Solidarity Network, Abortion Help MO, Columbia Area NOW, and CoMo For Progress about how to get more involved in our community! Read about it here

This past weekend, we started knocking doors for The Neighborhood Pledge to get ready for the Ward 1 City Council election. Since 2018, Mid-MO DSA has partnered with other Missouri Jobs with Justice member organizations to campaign around the Pledge, which asks candidates to commit to three things: 1) protecting and expanding affordable housing, 2) investing in and strengthening our public infrastructure, and 3) addressing structural inequality. We have done this by knocking doors and talking to members of our community about the Pledge and giving candidates an opportunity to sign on–usually after holding a town hall where voters have the opportunity to ask them questions about where they stand on issues related to these three planks.

As of right now, two of the five sitting City Council members and Mayor Buffaloe are Neighborhood Pledge signatories, and we are working to make sure the new representative for Ward 1 joins that list! If you would like to help us with this campaign, please email us at midmodsa@gmail.com.

Unfortunately, due to inclement weather, May 13’s Ride United event was postponed. Be on the lookout for a new date in the near future!

On Wednesday May 22nd we attended Sierra Club Mid-Mo Group’s charity fundraiser at Cafe Berlin. The “DSA Buds” won the night, and donated our winnings to the Sierra Club fundraiser! We are always happy to contribute to any event, action, or fundraising opportunity for our comrades in the community!

What We’ll Be Doing:

Our next general meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, June 4 at the Daniel Boone Regional Library.

All dues-paying DSA members are welcome! You can view the meeting agenda here and use this link to join us virtually.Want to learn more about DSA, what we’ve done around the country, and what we’re doing here in mid-Missouri? Already pay dues and want to meet other local members or find ways to get involved? Been a member in the past and want to get reengaged? Just think Bernie and AOC are cool and want to talk with some likeminded people? Come grab a coffee and chat with some of our members at our next Office Hours event on Sunday, June 16 at 2 PM at Shortwave on 9th. RSVP here

The Columbia Ceasefire Coalition is holding weekly marches to demand that Columbia city officials call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Those interested in attending should meet at Speaker’s Circle before 2 PM every Saturday to join the march to city hall.

Congresswoman Cori Bush, a DSA member, is facing a primary challenge from St. Louis County Prosecutor Wesley Bell. Representative Bush has been a critical voice in Congress in support of a ceasefire in Gaza, the fight to ensure housing for every American, protecting and restoring reproductive and trans rights, and so much more. We encourage anyone who is able to consider financially supporting her campaign or signing up to canvas on June 8, 15, 22, or 29 in St. Louis!

The Boone County Community Bail Fund has resumed bailouts! As a member of the National Bail Fund Network, the Bail Fund provides essential services to low-level offenders who would otherwise be held in jail simply because they cannot afford to post bail. The Bail Fund posts bails of up to $3,000 for qualified detainees and arranges reminders and rides to help them appear at subsequent court dates. You can support them by making a one time or recurring donation or by contacting them at comobailfund@gmail.com to volunteer to answer phones, provide rides, help with fundraising, or otherwise get involved!

CoMo Mobile Aid Collective provides direct aid and immediate assistance to unsheltered friends here in Columbia. Their street teams proudly serve 200+ meals every week throughout the year, their mobile medical clinic of qualified nurses, EMTs, and medical students have a variety of assistance available, and they partner with Unchained Melodies Dog Rescue to ensure beloved pets have access to food, flea and tick treatment, first aid, vet appointments as needed, and lots of treats.

You can support their efforts by making a one-time donation, becoming a monthly donor, buying a shirt, or signing up to volunteer!

Have you been mistreated by your employer or landlord? Contact the Columbia Solidarity Network to see if they can help! Call or text (573) 246-0646 or email columbiasolidarity@gmail.com.

For over three months, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks has been holding daily peace vigils in support of the people of Gaza from 12:15-12:45 PM by the Keyhole sculpture outside City Hall. All are welcome to join any day you can!

The Missouri Supreme Court set an execution for David Hosier of June 11, 2024. Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty (MADP) has created a clemency petition to send to Governor Parson. Please sign and share! You can also contact the Governor directly by calling (573) 751-3222 or writing here. And join MADP and Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Recreation for their Vigil for Life on Tuesday, June 11 from 12-1 PM in the State Capitol and from 5-6 PM in front of the columns by the Boone County Courthouse.