ORGANIZE COMO – LET’S BUILD A BETTER COLUMBIA TOGETHER!

ORGANIZE COMO – LET’S BUILD A BETTER COLUMBIA TOGETHER!

The central idea at the heart of progressive organizing is simple: Solidarity. As working people fighting for our collective liberation, all of our fights are linked. “None of us are free until all of us are free.”

There are many different groups working right now to build a community that works for all of us, not just a monied few. Today, many of us came together in Cosmo-Bethel Park to celebrate the work that we have done together in Columbia and across Missouri over the last year, and to coordinate how to best support and lift each other up in the months and years ahead.

While we shared a potluck picnic together, the following organizations spoke about their vital work in the community. In this newsletter, you can learn more about each, and find a directory on how to get in touch with each of them to help support their work.

Mid-Missouri Democratic Socialists of America (that’s us!) is the local chapter of the largest and friendliest socialist organization in the United States, the DSA. We organize for economic democracy in Columbia, Jefferson City, and central Missouri. Join us!

Missouri Jobs with Justice is an organization that fights for economic justice in Missouri. Their mission is to create a state where everyone has the opportunity for economic security and a safe, healthy life. They achieve this by building power through action and strong relationships.

John Brown Gun Club are a community defense organization based in Columbia, Missouri, rooted in direct action and mutual aid.

Como Mobile Aid Collective provide direct aid and immediate assistance to our unsheltered friends in Columbia.

Fellowship of Reconciliation is a group composed of people from many faiths, and no particular faith — all coming together to support nonviolence and justice. Offering people of conscience an action response to a morally-impaired U.S. foreign policy. Join their Vigil for Life, Tuesday June 11th from 1-2 PM in the State Capitol to oppose the execution of David Hosier. Join their weekly Ceasefire March every Saturday at 2pm at Speaker’s Circle. ​

Abortion Help MO provide public education and support for people needing reproductive health services, primarily by providing financial assistance for Missouri residents who cannot afford the full cost of abortion care.

The IWW (International Workers of the World) is a labor union that promotes the creation of “One Big Union” and contends that all workers should be united as a social class to supplant capitalism and wage labor with industrial democracy. The local chapter carries out this work here in Mid-Missouri. They meet every third Wednesday of the month, 6pm, at the cafe of the EatWell grocery store on Providence near downtown.

Columbia Solidarity Network is a project of the local IWW chapter that offers help to people in the community who have been mistreated at work or by a landlord. If you have been the victim of wage theft, stolen security deposits, or other issues, please reach out for advice and support!

  • Email: columbiasolidarity@gmail.com
  • Phone: 573-246-0646

Boone County Community Bail Fund is a volunteer-run community bail fund supporting our neighbors who have been injured by the criminal legal system in Boone County, Missouri.

  • Website: https://www.boonecountycommunitybailfund.org/
  • Email: comobailfund@gmail.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BailFund/

Sierra Club Mid-Missouri Group seeks to create and foster an inclusive organizational and workplace culture – a culture that grows, nurtures and retains diverse, engaged teams of staff and volunteers.  

Como For Progress are an advocacy group affecting policy that bolsters freedom, equality, and humanity to better serve our local, national and global communities through outreach and action. We are stronger together as we strive for inclusive and welcoming communities.

Peaceworks holds a vision of an ecologically sound, sustainable world and a violence-free community in which human equality and justice flourish. We aspire to create a participatory, cooperative social order in which all individuals can fully actualize their potential free of coercion or violence.

National Organization for Women is dedicated to its multi-issue and multi-strategy approach to women’s rights, and is the largest organization of feminist grassroots activists in the United States.

The Disabilities Commission of the City of Columbia advises the City Council as necessary and reviews or monitors accessibility of public and private facilities and educates the business community, civic groups and the public as to the concerns of residents with disabilities. Please submit nominations to their Senator Chuck Graham Memorial Disability and Advocacy Ambassador Award before the June deadline!  

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Mizzou YDSA ​is a big tent student organization open to leftists of all kinds at the University of Missouri with a history of educating and organizing students, workers, young people, and members of the community at large to make real and effective changes in our community.​ 

Thank you to all the amazing organizations that joined us today to celebrate the movement for progress in Columbia and beyond. Solidarity Forever!