Rabbi's Week in Review Blog

Most everyone knows by now of the power grab going on in Texas, gerrymandering congressional districts to cheat Black and Brown predominant districts out of representation; a direct threat to the democratic process.  We now know that Missouri is the next target, the Missouri governor and legislature seeking to gerrymander the person I and the majority of people in this Kansas City predominant district voted for, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.

People are coming together to fight this threat to democracy.  I am copying in my blog an informational email from Daniel Tucker, the director of Stand Up KC/Missouri Workers Center. It provides information on upcoming actions for us to participate in. 

As Jews we have always done better living under democratic rule, and have suffered persecution under authoritarian rule.  We must join in coalition with the many other groups under threat as a result of this threat to democracy.  I will provide updates in the weekly newsletter as developments continue.

Please see the message below from Stand Up KC with opportunities to get involved.

Stand Up KC Allies, 

Wow! Thanks to the more than 100 leaders who attended the Stand Up KC Allies Meeting. What a powerful turnout and demonstration of what it looks like when faith, labor, civil rights, and community leaders come together! Now, it's time for us to go back to our organizations and move our coalition into action to STOP TRUMP'S AUTHORITARIAN POWER GRAB! Here is a social media toolkit that includes sample mass email language, event flyers, and graphics for upcoming events so you can spread the word to your organization and the community. 

Step 1: Public Mass Meetings Across the state in Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, Springfield, and St. Charles 

🚩What: 8/20/2025 - KC Public Mass Meeting to invite others to join our movement of resistance, learn how they can get plugged in to a plan of action on Plan A (grassroots resistance) and Plan B (signature gathering for a citizens' veto), and notify the media of how we're fighting back so we can push lawmakers and the courts to stop this growing authoritarianism
🚩 When:  Wednesday, August 20th 
🚩 What time: 6:30pm 
🚩 Where: IBEW Local 124 (301 E. 103rd Terr. KCMO 64114) 

Step 2: Labor Day Rallies in KC and StL to Resist Attacks on Democracy and Workers' Rights!

🚩 When:  Monday, September 1st 
🚩 What time: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
🚩 Where: Horse Fountain in Mill Creek Park on the Plaza (Intersection of Mill Creek Pkwy. and Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.) *Please note the change of location from what I announced in the meeting. Judging by the commitments organizations gave, I think we need this larger space! 
🚩 Why: There are no workers' rights in a country without democracy! This illegal gerrymander is an attack on workers whose rights are disappearing as our democracy is dismantled. Pres. Trump just nullified the right of 400,000 workers at the VA to collectively bargain and have union representation despite an agreement from federal courts telling him not to do this. State lawmakers like Speaker Jon Patterson just overturned the most popular thing on the 2024 ballot, Prop A, thereby nullifying the will of the people and stealing Paid Sick Days and cost of living wage increases from hundreds of thousands of workers across Missouri! 

Step 3: Mass Rally at the Capitol in Jefferson City to Fight Trump's Power Grab and Protect Democracy. If Gov. Kehoe follows through on this special session, lawmakers need to hear from the masses of Missourians--Black, white, and brown--who are opposed to this effort to dismantle our democracy! 

🚩 When:  Wednesday, September 10th 
🚩 What time: 12:00pm 
🚩 Where: 201 W. Capitol Ave. Jefferson City, MO 65101

Step 4 / Plan B: Citizens' Veto

The Missouri Constitution grants citizens the ability to veto legislation passed by our lawmakers by gathering enough signatures within 90 days of a law's passage. If Plan A does not succeed in stopping this illegal gerrymander, WE THE PEOPLE will have to gather more than 116,000 signatures across the state to stop the law in its tracks and protect our ability for our community to have a voice in Congress that aligns with our values. 

Do you and your organization want to be listed as co-sponsors in this campaign to protect democracy? Please fill out this google form here, and if you are authorized to do so, be sure to include your organization's logo so we can show the support of partners across KC and the state of Missouri! 

Only everybody can save us now! 

Love and Solidarity, 

Daniel Tucker 
Stand Up KC / Missouri Workers Center 
314-598-5450