(Update, June 27, 2020: Resolution for racial justice sponsored by Missouri League is adopted by National Convention of the League of Women Voters.)
RESOLUTION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE By a nearly unanimous vote at its National Convention, the League of Women Voters of the United States passed a Proclamation for Racial Justice on June 27.
Leading the way on this call for equal treatment of all individuals, the Missouri League of Women Voters board formed a coalition of states to prepare this resolution. Arizona, California, Delaware, Maine, Minnesota, New Mexico and New York Leagues joined the Missouri League.
The proclamation, presented to the more than 1,200 convention delegates, was divided into two resolutions:
1 – We Resolve First: That the League advocates against systemic racism in the justice system and, at a minimum, for preventing all excessive force and brutality by law enforcement. We also call for prompt actions by all League members to advocate within every level of government to eradicate systemic racism and the harm it causes.
2 – We Resolve Second: That the League help our elected officials and all Americans recognize these truths to be self-evident; that Black, Indigenous, and all people of color (BIPOC) deserve equal protection under the law, and that we demand solutions for the terrible wrongs done, so that regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, disability, and gender identity or sexual orientation, we may truly become a nation “indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Missouri is leading the way on this critical issue, and now is the time for the League of Southwest Missouri to determine ways to assure our actions and our words bring meaning to the measure. The resolution should be a guidepost for every League member in speaking and acting for justice for all in our democracy.
June 16, 2020: League of Women Voters of Missouri spearheads resolution for LWV National Convention delegates
The board of directors of the League of Women Voters of Missouri is spearheading a resolution decrying police violence and racial injustice that will be presented for action at the National League Convention, June 25-27. At least 32 other states have signed on to work with the LWV of Missouri to draft this resolution.
In a June 16 letter to League members in Missouri, the board wrote:
“The death of George Floyd at the hands of the police has set off a movement in our country that has not abated in the weeks since. Be assured that LWVUS and LWVMO are being proactive and trying to discern what LWV actions can be taken to move us toward a society that is permanently free of racism.
“… For over two years, LWVUS has been prioritizing Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness initiatives. LWVMO along with a number of local Leagues have made strides in this area. But recent incidents have brought to the forefront that across our nation we have not been doing enough, nor moving fast enough.
“Our hope is that League members in Missouri are already mobilizing to permanently eliminate racism in all its forms. We must be anti-racist as well as inclusive. It’s obvious that systemic racism against Black persons and persons of color persists in our society and in our justice system with tragic results. We League members can and should be instrumental in making permanent change in our communities and our nation.
“Let’s work together wherever we live to bring about the change that is needed.”
(Signed) LWVMO Board of Directors: Evelyn Maddox, Nancy Copenhaver, Louise Wilkerson, Marilyn McLeod, Kathleen Boswell, Marge Bramer, Sharon Swon, Carol Schreiber, Nancy Miller, Joan Gentry, Sheryl Eufinger, Debby Waite-Howard and Linda McDaniel
(Bramer and Gentry are also members of the board of directors of the LWV of Southwest Missouri. Both are delegates to the National League Convention.)