Across the country, and across our history, we have a strong powerful tradition of taking to the streets to demand change. Without our freedom to assemble and protest, we would not have won civil rights, the right to vote, or the right to collectively bargain.
The events that unfolded in Tennessee over the past week have put the spotlight on the anti-democratic forces at play in statehouses across the country.
As Dr. Dave Derossett, Springfield Workers’ Rights Board Co-Chair said, “Missouri legislators have eagerly jumped on this anti-democracy train.”
Our legislators are currently considering Senate Bill 684, an anti-protest bill that could severely criminalize actions including union picket lines, rallies for healthcare, strikes, demonstrations to increase the minimum wage, and marches for Black Lives Matter.
It’s clear that anti-protest bills, attacks on the initiative petition process, voter suppression, and the criminalization of political speech and expression are all plays we know too well. They hope that by spreading lies and placing blame on Black and Brown Americans, we will turn against each other and the efforts our communities demand.
With your help, we’ve stopped similar attacks on our democracy – and we can again. Tell your Senator to stop SB 684 and all attempts to criminalize our freedom to assemble and protest?
We reject their attempts to silence and divide us. We will use every tool we have to take action when our leaders refuse to deliver for our families. We will raise our voices together until democracy works for us all.
