The ACLU of Missouri looks at our legal system for constitutional violations and affirms what the NAACP has boldly decided to call out: Missouri’s new discrimination law is a Jim Crow law. We are saddened the Missouri Legislature chose to continue its mistreatment of people of color and women by passing Senate Bill 43.
Time and time again, politicians have had the opportunity to make the lives of Missourians better – instead of proactively addressing racial disparities and sexual harassment in our state, this law draws negative attention from across the nation that will surely hurt communities and businesses.
Missouri has made it clear that it is not a safe place for people of color. African-Americans are 75 percent more likely to get stopped than whites in Missouri. It is clear that it is not a safe place for women or their health. Missouri is one of seven states in the nation with one abortion clinic and the new laws governing women’s constitutional right to an abortion will only open the state up to more legal challenges. Senate Bill 43 guts the Missouri Human Right Act – a piece of legislation that was both innovative, inclusive and modeled what our democracy should champion: equal rights for all.
We are thankful to NAACP State Conference President Nimrod Chapel for his visionary leadership during this shameful act in Missouri’s history.
- Jeffrey Mittman, Executive Director, ACLU of Missouri