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!
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.
On August 25, we knocked our first doors for Proposition A and Amendment 3! 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 that by passing these two ballot initiatives! We need all hands on deck to knock enough doors between now and Election Day in November to get these ballot measures across the finish line. Join us on September 7 as we officially kickoff our canvassing campaign, then keep knocking doors with us every Saturday through Election Day!
Our next General Meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, September 3 at the Boone County Government Center. All dues-paying DSA members all welcome! RSVP here and we will send links to join us virtually and view the agenda.
You can also join us on Sunday, September 22 at Shortwave on 9th St at 2 PM for DSA Office Hours. Office Hours provide a chance for anyone curious about DSA to come chat with some of our members while also giving existing members an opportunity to bring up any ideas or thoughts they might want to discuss. RSVP here
On September 28-29, we’ll be tabling at Mid-Missouri Pridefest on Park Avenue. Stop by to pick up some sweet Midwest Socialist stickers and learn how you can get more involved with DSA!
From our friends at Local Motion: The Columbia Area Transportation Study Organization (CATSO) is revising its metropolitan transportation plan, impacting everything from public transit to sidewalks and bike infrastructure. This is a critical moment to advocate that CATSO prioritizes public good over private interests. We believe this update is an opportunity to shift CATSO’s focus from road expansions and new construction—which often serve the wealthy and contribute to sprawl—to investments in equitable public transit and community infrastructure. So many local streets remain neglected, inaccessible, and unsafe, particularly for working-class and marginalized communities. We want to change that and we could use your voice. Please fill out this CATSO survey by September 7.
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.
The Boone County Community Bail Fund, a member of the National Bail Fund Network, 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 or becoming a monthly donor!
For the past several 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!
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.
On July 28, we joined comrades from the St. Louis and Kansas City Chapters to knock doors for fellow DSA member Cori Bush. 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, and we are proud to have supported her re-election campaign! If you are able, please consider joining one or both of STL DSA’s last two phone banks on Sunday at 5 PM and Monday at 5 PM.
On July 21, we tabled at Ashland Pride and talked to folks about what we are doing here in mid-Missouri to organize for a better world, including our recent campaign to make Columbia an LGBTQ+ sanctuary city!
On July 13, several of our members attended the MU Workers United town hall where MU workers discussed concerns related to parking fees and good-faith bargaining with several local state legislative candidates: Gregg Bush, Stephen Webber, Kathy Steinhoff, Jeff Basinger, Adrian Plank, John Potter, and David Tyson Smith. Both Gregg Bush and Adrian Plank received a standing ovation for pledging to only vote for University funding once there is a written commitment from Chancellor Mun Choi to bargain with MU workers.
On July 21, several of our members attended another town hall for Columbia city workers where they discussed wage compression and the underfunding of public transit with Mayor Buffaloe, Councilman Roy Lovelady, and city council candidates Valerie Carroll and May Hall.
What We’ll Be Doing:
Election Day is Tuesday, August 6! Check out our voting guide for Constitutional Amendments 1 and 4.
Our next General Meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, August 13 at the Boone County Government Center. All dues-paying DSA members all welcome! RSVP here and we will send links to join us virtually and view the agenda.You can also join us on Sunday, August 18 at Shortwave on 9th St at 2 PM for DSA Office Hours. Office Hours provide a chance for anyone curious about DSA to come chat with some of our members while also giving existing members an opportunity to bring up any ideas or thoughts they might want to discuss. RSVP here
Right now, 500,000 Missouri workers make less than $15 an hour, nearly 750,000 Missouri workers lack paid sick leave, and all Missourians are living under a draconian abortion ban. This November, we can change that by passing the ballot initiatives to raise the minimum wage, provide paid sick leave, and enshrine the right to reproductive freedom into our constitution! We need all hands on deck to knock enough doors between now and Election Day in November to get these ballot measures across the finish line. If you are interested in knocking doors with us–or are interested in finding another way to be involved–sign up 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.
The Boone County Community Bail Fund, a member of the National Bail Fund Network, 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!
Earlier this month, three of our members and one member of our Mizzou YDSA affiliate completed the Missouri Jobs with Justice leadership training, where they learned invaluable skills and strategies for organizing campaigns. We’re excited for them to start applying what they’ve learned in our fight to raise the minimum wage, guarantee paid sick leave, and end the abortion ban this November!
Meanwhile, a few of our other members joined some of our comrades from Mid-Missouri John Brown Gun Club to help feed our unhoused neighbors at Loaves and Fishes.
At Break the Chains on June 15, we tabled alongside Missouri Jobs with Justice and talked to folks in our community about ways to get involved with organizing and building power for working people!
Just this past weekend, some of our members joined our St. Louis DSA comrades across the state in their weekly canvas to re-elect Cori Bush, where they were greeted by Representative Bush herself! Stay tuned for future opportunities to help the Bush campaign before the August 6 primary.
What We’ll Be Doing:
Our next general meeting will take place at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, July 2 at the Daniel Boone Regional Library. At this meeting, we will be electing our new steering committee to lead the chapter in the upcoming year, as well as new Electoral, Labor, and Recruitment chairs. All dues-paying DSA members are welcome! You can use this link to join us virtually.
Join us on Sunday, July 21 from 9 AM to 2 PM at Ashland City Park to celebrate Ashland Pride! We will be tabling to talk about what we are doing here in mid-Missouri to organize for a better world and how you can get involved.
In the coming weeks we will be launching our People’s Platform Campaign, where will be knocking doors and talking about voters about the initiatives on the November ballot to raise the minimum wage, provide paid sick leave, and create a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in Missouri. Be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities very soon!
This month, LiUNA Local 955 will be hosting two town halls for their members. The first on July 13 at 1 PM at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia will be for MU workers to discuss concerns related to parking fees and good-faith bargaining and will feature several local state legislative candidates, including Kathy Steinhoff, Adrian Plank, John Potter, David Tyson Smith, Gregg Bush and Jeff Basinger. The second on July 21 at 2PM at a venue TBA will be for Columbia city workers to discuss wage compression and the underfunding of public transit and will feature several city council members. Pleasure come show your support for the workers we rely on to keep our community running!
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 July 13, 20, or 27 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.
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!
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.
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.
