 |
| Our 2024 ballot guide, when we’ll be knocking doors for Amendment 3 and Prop A, and more! |
| What We’ve Been Up To: |
 |
| Last weekend, we were at Mid-Missouri Pridefest talking to folks about voting yes on Proposition A and Amendment 3 handing out resources for people interested in organizing their workplaces, and giving away socialist swag–including our Chappell-Roan-inspired Midwest Socialist stickers. This year, we also celebrated our first Pridefest since we worked with our Mizzou YDSA affiliates to make Columbia an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city! |
 |
| Over the past couple weeks, we stood in solidarity with workers across our community. We showed up for MU workers organized with LiUNA Local 955 who are demanding an end to outsourcing, unfair parking fees, and cuts to paid time off. We also joined the American Postal Workers Union for their Nationwide Day of Action rallies in Columbia and Jeff City to promote vote by mail and demand first-class service year-round. Workers run this country; they deserve better! |
 |
| Earlier this month, we joined Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty and Mizzou Black Law Students Association for a discussion on the legal case of Marcellus “Khaliifah” Williams, who was executed by the State of Missouri on September 24 despite the lack of reliable evidence supporting his conviction. We must not stop working to abolish the death penalty and dismantle the carceral system built upon exploitation and white supremacy. We honor Marcellus’s memory by sharing a poem he wrote, which reminds us that all oppressed people of the world are united in the same fight for human liberation: |
 |
| What We’ll Be Doing: |
 |
| Every Saturday and Sunday through Election Day, we’ll be knocking doors for Proposition A and Amendment 3 from 1-4 PM. Right now, 500,000 Missouri workers make less than $15 an hour, nearly 750,000 Missouri workers–including our own Alejandro Gallardo–lack paid sick leave, and all Missourians are living under a draconian abortion ban. This November, we can change all of that by passing these two ballot initiatives! We need all hands on deck to knock enough doors between now and November 5 to get these ballot measures across the finish line. Sign up for a shift here! |
 |
| And here’s a look at our full 2024 ballot guide! Keep an eye out for our issue-by-issue breakdowns on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. The last day to register to vote for the November 5 election is October 9. You can check your registration status and find your polling place here. The last day to request an absentee ballot is October 23. Boone County residents can vote early at the Government Center from October 22 through November 4. |
 |
| Our next General Meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, October 8 at the Daniel Boone Regional Library. This month, we will be recapping Pride, talking about our upcoming canvassing efforts, and discussing our plans for after the election. All dues-paying DSA members and everyone else interested in learning more about DSA are welcome! RSVP here and we will send links to join us virtually and view the agenda. |
 |
| Want to learn more about DSA or interested in getting more involved? Have an idea for something you think DSA should be doing in the community? Just want to grab coffee and chat with some fellow lefty folks? Join us at 2 PM on Sunday, October 20 for our monthly DSA Office Hours 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. |
 |
| If you like our newsletter and the work we’re doing in the community, please consider becoming a dues-paying member of DSA. Socialists believe in one struggle: the struggle of working people against domination by the powerful few. Workers fighting for their fair share of the profits, women and LGBTQ+ folks fighting for bodily autonomy, protestors fighting for a free Palestine, BIPOC activists fighting to end white supremacy, renters fighting for affordable housing, environmentalists fighting to combat climate change, and organizers fighting to end mass incarceration are all engaged in this same struggle. To win these fights, we must stand in solidarity. Mid-Missouri DSA shows up for local workers demanding a fair union contract. We march every Saturday to end the bloodshed in Gaza. We gather signatures and knock doors to raise the minimum wage, guarantee paid sick leave, and restore the right to reproductive freedom. We fought to make Columbia an LGBTQ+ Safe Haven and expand access to Plan B. Around the country, DSA works to advance the fight for justice at home–winning things like historic tenant protections and climate investments–and abroad–joining campaigns like the Uncommitted Movement. DSA electeds like AOC and Rashida Tlaib have lead the charge for Medicare-for-All, a Green New Deal, student debt cancellation, union rights, and a ceasefire in Gaza. We are committed to engaging in this one struggle, standing side-by-side with one another to organize and fight for a better world. Will you join us? |
| What Our Friends Are Doing: |
 |
| For the past several months, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks have been holding daily peace vigils in support of the people of Gaza from 12:15-12:45 PM by the City Hall Keyhole. All are welcome to join any day you can! |
 |
| And on Monday, October 7 from 7-7:45 PM, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks, Mid-Missouri Fellowship of Reconciliation, Missourians for Justice in Palestine, CoMo Jews 4 Ceasefire, and others will be hosting a vigil for humanity by the City Hall Keyhole to recognize the devastating loss of life we have witnessed over the past year. |
 |
| Join Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty on Thursday, October 10 at 6 PM to learn more about their work and discuss the legislative landscape of abolishing the death penalty in Missouri. Register here. |
 |
| Local Motion is doing their annual community survey on how people travel around Columbia. Please take 5-10 minutes to share your perspective on local transportation! |
 |
| The Boone County Community 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 Boone County residents 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! |
 |
| Abortion is currently banned in the state of Missouri, but Missourians can still get abortions. There are clinics near the Missouri border, and you are allowed to leave the state for care. Abortion Help Mo can help you find an abortion care provider and help you pay for your care. You can go to their website or text Right By You‘s confidential and anonymous helpline at 855-458-0866 for assistance. You can also donate to the Missouri Abortion Fund, which provides financial assistance to Missouri residents who cannot afford the full cost or abortion care. |
 |
| CoMo Mobile Aid Collective provide 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 or becoming a monthly donor! And through November 15, you can drop off sturdy adult winter boots, shoes, and shocks outside CoMo Smoke and Fire, Best Buy, CoMo Rocks, Local Motion, or Cafe Berlin–or order those items directly from their Amazon Wishlist. |
| Have you been mistreated by your employer or landlord? You’re not alone! Contact the Columbia Solidarity Network to see if they can help! Call or text (573) 246-0646 or email columbiasolidarity@gmail.com. Have an event or organization you think we should plug in next month’s newsletter? Email us at midmodsa@gmail.com. |
| What We’re Reading, Watching, and Listening To: |
| Follow us: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTokGet involved: Interest Form | Email List SignupContact us: midmodsa.org| midmodsa@gmail.com | (573) 319-1381Not a dues-paying member? Join DSA today! |