Action St. Louis was founded by activists politicized after the killing of Michael Brown and the Ferguson Uprising.
We fight to build power for Black people in St. Louis.
Close the Workhouse
The Workhouse is part and parcel of a racist and predatory system of mass incarceration that grew directly out of slavery and Jim Crow and works to perpetuate this shameful legacy in America. The story of the Workhouse illustrates this oppressive history.
#WokeVoterSTL
We believe that political power can only be realized when our communities are engaged and educated on issues that impact our lives. We launched #WokeVoterSTL to ensure that our issues are centered and our voices are heard.
#WECOUNT314
WE COUNT 314 is a campaign of Action St. Louis that seeks to increase Black participation in the 2020 census.
Political Action
Action St. Louis is engaged in longterm work to shift power in order to change policy, institutions and system in our region.
Report 2.0.
“There is no reason the Workhouse remains open, especially considering the significant decrease in numbers of people incarcerated at this time. In only two years since the Campaign to Close the Workhouse launched and we presented our plan to close the Workhouse, we have organized political pressure from communities to political and institutional leaders to make the jail closure possible. There are now hundreds fewer people in jail, from nearly 1,250 in 2018 to 870 in January 2020. Of those that remain incarcerated, hundreds do not need to be detained. Most are unconstitutionally caged because of an unjust money bail system, that cages people who cannot afford to pay for their freedom. Other people in the Workhouse, including those charged only with federal crimes, remain incarcerated in St. Louis as the City attempts to profit from their incarceration.”
Environmental Racism in STL.
This report outlines environmental injustices that disproportionately endanger public health for people of color and low-income individuals in St. Louis, and in advocating for systemic changes to remedy these injustices and enhance public health.
Developing Unapologetic Leaders.
In 2019, Action St. Louis began its Black Organizing Summer School (BOSS) in order to build a sustainable pipeline of organizers in the region.
