Protesters gather at Missouri Capitol to oppose redrawn congressional maps
Erika McGuire
(Editor’s note, 9/10: The story corrects the day of the week that the state senate will begin taking up legislation in the special session.)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Hundreds gathered at the Missouri State Capitol Wednesday afternoon to protest state Republicans taking one step closer to officially redrawing Missouri’s congressional maps.
The rally was held by Missouri democrats in response to the “Missouri First Map” that was drawn after President Donald Trump requested Gov. Mike Kehoe to call a special to redraw the maps — a process that typically occurs only after the census.
Republicans are aiming to protect their narrow majority in the U.S. House with mid-term elections coming up next year.
According to a press release from the Missouri Democrats, this decision came despite bipartisan opposition and ignored the testimony of thousands of Missourians who voiced concern over the maps.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives approved Gov. Mike Kehoe’s “Missouri First” map Tuesday in a 90 to 65 vote. The approved map would change Congressman Emanuel Cleaver’s fifth district in Kansas City by cutting the city into three districts.
Several groups, including Missouri Jobs with Justice, Indivisible, and the United Auto Workers Union attended the rally that began at noon.
Protesters first gathered on the Capitol steps, then moved inside to the rotunda — where crowds filled all three floors, chanting and holding signs.
The rally then moved to the third floor, where protesters marched around the House Chambers at lawmakers were in session debating redistricting and initiative petition reform.
Protesters claim the redrawing of Missouri’s congressional maps is unfair, illegal, and a blatant power grab.
“It’s against the law. It’s against our state constitution. How can they do this?” said protester Stephanie McCorkle.
“Any other way, they’d lose. If they don’t cheat they lose,” added protester Darryl Stines.
“It’s a blatant power grab to overturn the will of the people, it continues to have a through line with President Trump his agenda and Gov. Kehoe’s agenda and the agenda to continually marginalize individuals that need representation within our government,” Robert Fisher with PROMO Missouri said.
Terrence Wise, with with Missouri Workers Center and Stand Up KC said the moves of the republican party not only in Missouri but in the federal government is something he takes personal.
“They are attacking and showing violence to my family and my community and i know us coming together won’t stop them we have to build a movement with everyone who is in here today and not standing with us today,” Wise said.
Congressional candidate for the 5th district in Missouri, Jordan Herrera, says the tactics being used by republicans is telling.
“They are trying to get this done when people are not paying attention tells me everything, they don’t even believe what they are doing hell even Speaker of the House John Patterson said he’s not gunna vote for this thing,” Herrera said. “The last thing I have for Kehoe is this map even though majority of Missourians do not want it I will be suing against this map immediately so I will see you in court.”
State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) said the redraw of the maps is about Trump trying to keep control of the house.
“The way this is happening is insidious that’s what its about so we’ve gotta fight back, Missouri cannot be Donald Trump’s puppet we can’t be a slave to the White House we’ve gotta stand up for Missouri values and the citizens of Missouri,” Smith said.
Democrats, Smith said, will keep fighting back and do whatever they can to take their power back.
The Missouri House of Representatives also voted Tuesday to send initiative petition reform, along with redistricting bills, to the Senate in a 98 to 58 vote. Joint House Resolution three would require all initiative petitions to get approval from a majority of voters across the state and from each district.