NAACP Travel Advisory for the State of Missouri

(Jefferson City, MO – Missouri NAACP State Conference Office) A travel advisory has been issued in the State of Missouri due to the sad passage of Senator Gary Romine's Jim Crow Bill – SB 43 – and recent events throughout Missouri.

The advisory means each individual should pay special attention while in the state of Missouri and certainly if contemplating spending time in Missouri. Unlike seasonal weather advisories, where no unnecessary travel on city streets or parking might be directed, the NAACP wants to make Missourians and our visitors aware of looming danger which could include the following by example of what has happened to some residents and visitors:

Tory Sanford who recently died in a jail cell but was never arrested after running out of gas when he traveled into the state accidentally; Racist attacks on University of Missouri students while on the states' campuses – as the University of Missouri System spoke in favor of Romine's Jim Crow Bill;

Missouri's legislature Representative Rick Bratton argued that homosexuals are not human beings according to his faith; Black high school students in St. Louis have been attacked with hot glue while denigrated racially;

Two internationally born men gunned down outside in Kansas City after their killer thought them to be Muslim; According to the Missouri Attorney General African Americans in Missouri are subjected to excessive traffic - 75% more likely to be stopped and searched based on skin color than Caucasians, Public threats of shooting 'Blacks' that terrorized University of Missouri students and members of the public.

Individuals traveling in the state are advised to travel with extreme caution. Race, gender and color-based crimes have a long history in Missouri. Missouri, home of Lloyd Gaines, Dredd Scott and the dubious distinction of the Missouri Compromise and one of the last states to loose its slaveholding past, may not be safe. The Missouri State Conference of the NAACP will follow Governor Greitien's review of this Jim Crow Bill – SB 43 – and we will update the NAACP advisory for the State of Missouri if this measure is vetoed. SB 43 legalizes individual discrimination and harassment in Missouri and would prevent individuals from protecting themselves from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in Missouri.

Moreover, over zealous enforcement of routine traffic violations in Missouri against African-Americans has resulted in an increasing trend that shows African-Americans are 75% more likely to be stopped than Caucasians. These stops have resulted in increased traffic fines, senseless searches of vehicle and persons, and on occasion unnecessary violence.

The advisory is in effect until at least August 28, 2017 starting today. The Missouri State Conference NAACP asked that you do the following:

• warn your families, co-workers and anyone visiting Missouri to beware of the safety concerns with travel in Missouri,
• notify members of your trade associations, social and civic organizations that they are traveling and living in Missouri at their own risk and subject to unnecessary search seizure and potential arrest, and
• file and seek help on any existing claims for discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and whistle-blowing ASAP before your legal rights are lost if Senate Bill 43 is not vetoed by Governor Greitiens.

Visit www.monaacp.org, like Missouri NAACP State Conference Facebook, and follow @MOSTATE for additional information and updates. To file reports of harassment and discrimination and get help call 1-844-NAACP-HELP. Contact Governor Greitiens at 573- 751-3222, @ericgreitiens, and ask him to make Missouri safe for our families.