Race Matters, Friends

is a nonprofit group united in the struggle for racial equity in Columbia, Missouri. We nurture conversations and actions about racial equity, racism, and structural inequality in Columbia, Missouri; the United States; and the world.

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Newsletter: 2019 Q3 (Fall)

Community Bail Fund

Secure Someone’s Freedom

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“Innocent until proven guilty” should not depend on race or income, but in America that is the reality. When someone gets locked up and can’t afford to pay their bail, they have two choices: plead guilty to the crime, or sit in jail until our backlogged courts can bring them to trial, which in many cases can take years. Even a week could affect someone's job, living arrangement, or custody of their children. We believe that people shouldn’t have to plead guilty to a crime they may not have committed just because they can’t afford a bail payment, which is why we’re paying people’s bail.

Get Involved

EVERYTHING

Come to Meetings!
2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month, Bethel Church, 201 E. Old Plank Rd., Columbia MO 65203. Potlucks on the 2nd Wed at 6pm, regular meeting starts at 6:30pm

DEVELOPMENT

Join us at City Council Meetings!
1st and 3rd Mondays of every month. City Hall, 701 E Broadway, Columbia MO 65201

ROAD SITUATION

Follow us on Facebook!
Race Matters, Friends has both a page @racemattersfriends and a discussion group @racemattersfriendscomo

CELEBRATE

Catch Up!

Get up to speed with your readings and dig into our suggested literature.

What We're Doing

Confidential Survey: Child's CPS Experience

Treasurer

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Happy New Year! With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s holiday coming up Monday, January 20, I want to encourage everyone to find ways to be "active" in 2020. First, RMF has been on break since December. We reconvene on January 29 at Bethel Church, 201 Old Plank Rd. If anyone is aware of free meeting […]

Lynn

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RMF’s inquiry into racial equity at Columbia Public Schools came after the President of the Missouri NAACP asked us to advocate for a mother whose child had been wrongly arrested by the police department. Since that time we have learned of four cases pending against CPS regarding harmful disciplinary practices.

Columbia Warrant Amnesty Dec 9-20, 2019

Chad McLaurin

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"This warrant amnesty applies to outstanding warrants from Columbia Municipal Court for anyone facing arrest for failing to appear for traffic and parking tickets or other City of Columbia ordinance violations."