Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment

Last updated
Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment
PurposeSocial justice
Location
Region
United States
Executive Director
Jeff Ordower
Organizers
Arielle Klagsbrun, Derek Laney, Julia Ho, Molly Gott, Zach Chasnoff
Affiliations
Website organizemo.org

Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment (MORE) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan and social justice activist organization based in St. Louis, Missouri focused on improving economic equality for citizens of Missouri. The organization partners with a number of activist networks in the United States including New Economy Coalition, Rising Tide North America, and others.

Contents

History

Activities

Fed Up, 2014

In November 2014, MORE was involved in the "Fed Up" campaign composed of 20 community and labor groups who met with Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen to present proposals related to extending central bank stimulus and increasing public input on monetary policy. [1]

United Nations Committee Against Torture statement with parents of Michael Brown, 2014

On November 12, 2014, Michael Brown's parents submitted a prepared statement with Missourians Organizing for Reform and Empowerment, Hands Up United and the Organization for Black Struggle to the United Nations Committee Against Torture stating that their son's death and the "excessive force by police officers on peaceful protesters" in Ferguson in the weeks that followed violated the principles of the U.N. convention entitled Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. [2] The statement made several requests of the United Nations including: recommending the immediate arrest of police officer Darren Wilson, the resignation of Police Chief Thomas Jackson, and granting amnesty to protesters arrested during related demonstrations. It also urged that the Ferguson Police Department be held responsible for "systematically targeting and harassing residents of color in a predatory and degrading manner". [2] [3]

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Brittany Ferrell is a Black civil rights activist, mother, organizer, and freedom fighter from St. Louis, Missouri. Ferrell co-founded Millennial Activists United, a Black and queer women-led organization that facilitated intentional civic engagement and strategic political action around Ferguson, Missouri. Ferrell co-founded Millennial Activists United in light of the killing of Michael Brown, hoping to motivate youths to take a stand against racism and racial injustice. Millennial Activists United was founded in regards to the disproportionate number of women and LGBTQ individuals in leadership positions. Ferrell participates in rallies, attends city council meetings and uses social media to spread awareness. Ferrell earned her Bachelors in Science of Nursing from University of Missouri–St. Louis and is a high-risk obstetric nurse.

Darren Seals Jr. was an American racial justice, anti-police brutality, and anti-gun violence activist from Ferguson, Missouri who worked on the assembly line at General Motors. In September 2016, he was found shot dead in a burning car. St. Louis County Police are investigating his death as a homicide; they have not publicly identified suspects or motives.

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Bruce Franks Jr. is an American community activist, musician, battle rapper, and former politician. He served in the Missouri House of Representatives representing the 78th District and as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Police/Community Relations before resigning in 2019.

References

  1. Mui, Ylan Q. (November 14, 2014). "Main Street takes on monetary policy, Round 2". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  2. 1 2 Bever, Leslie (November 12, 2014). "Michael Brown's parents take their case to United Nations torture panel". The Washington Post. Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  3. Scott, Marcus (November 20, 2014). "Michael Brown Shooting: Parents of Late Teen Testify to United Nations Committee Against Torture Regarding Situation in Ferguson, Missouri". Latin Post. Retrieved 5 December 2014.