ACTION ST.LOUIS OFFICE SEVERELY DAMAGED BY RECENT FIRE

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, the office occupied by the staff of ACTION ST. LOUIS, a grassroots organization building political power for Black citizens across the city, caught fire. Executive Director Kayla Reed responds to the event with the following statement:

“The fire on Sunday was devastating. While severe fire and water damage has left the office uninhabitable, I am extremely grateful that none of our staff, other occupants in the building or bystanders were injured in the fire. 

This was our first office as an official organization, and it’s been a safe haven for our team and members of the community since August 2019. Since that time, ACTION ST. LOUIS has had tremendous wins, and having that office as a place to incubate new campaigns, ideas and strategies was a critical part of that.

The investigation into the fire is ongoing and there’s no information about the source of the fire that can be shared at this time. We intend to cooperate with officials as it progresses. This fire comes at the culmination of a year where our organization’s staff and members experienced intense harassment because we are effectively shifting the conditions for Black people in this city. From online trolling and doxxing, our opposition has reached new lows including contacting our funders to discredit our work and threatening our physical safety. 

“ACTION staff are taking a much-needed and well-deserved break for the remainder of 2021 to rest and recalibrate. We will begin looking for a new home for ACTION in 2022. This is an unfortunate event, but it will in no way stop us from continuing the work that our communities need.”

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For more information about the fire, the work of ACTION ST.LOUIS or to speak with leadership, please contact info@actionstl.org.