ST. LOUIS — U.S. Rep. Cori Bush got some campaign help here Friday from three of her colleagues in “the squad†— the informal group of progressive Democrats in the House.
The day kicked off with U.S. Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, who appeared with Bush at a morning reception that drew about 30 supporters to a Central West End restaurant.
Then Omar and U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts joined Bush for a midday brunch and forum on abortion rights at an event space on Cherokee Street on the city’s South Side.
On Friday night, Omar and Pressley appeared with Bush at a concert venue, also on Cherokee, to mark Bush's 46th birthday, which was Thursday.
“We need her back in Congress,†Omar said of Bush, of St. Louis, at the midday gathering.
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“Do whatever it is you can do†between now and the Aug. 2 Democratic primary, Omar said.
Bush faces state Sen. Steve Roberts, also of St. Louis, and three lesser-known opponents in the 1st Congressional District race.
The first two events, for campaign donors and volunteers, were closed to reporters. The abortion-related forum, with about 100 people in attendance, was livestreamed by , an online news site, and Bush’s campaign website.
Pressley said she was bothered that “mainstream media and some loud people on social media†had suggested that an abortion rights protest in Washington on Tuesday was “political theater†and “a stunt of some sort.â€
Bush, Pressley, Omar and Tlaib were among 34 people, including 17 House members, arrested in the demonstration after Capitol police said they were blocking traffic. The protest followed last month’s U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
Pressley said those taking part were honoring “the longstanding tradition of justice seekers on the front lines who have used civil disobedience†to advance important causes.
She said she, Bush and others also are working inside Congress by pushing legislation and pressuring the administration of President Joe Biden, also a Democrat, to take steps to protect abortion rights.
“We’re going to protest, legislate, organize, raise money (and) push this administration,†Pressley said. “More often than not government does not lead. It responds.â€
She said although Biden has yet to declare a public health emergency regarding abortion as many abortion rights supporters want, he took action “that only happened because of our pressure.†Biden on July 8 signed an executive order designed to safeguard access to medication abortion and emergency contraception, among other provisions.
Roberts, Bush’s opponent, during the campaign has argued that Bush is more effective as an activist than a legislator and that his record in Jefferson City shows he is better suited to get things done as a lawmaker.
In that vein, a Roberts spokesman earlier this week said Bush’s time would have been better spent supporting an initiative petition aimed at putting Roe provisions in the Missouri Constitution.
Bush at the forum Friday cited bills she recently introduced to protect access to abortion medication and to provide federal grants to help women in states with abortion bans travel to areas where the practice remains legal.
Pressley, meanwhile, commended Mayor Tishaura O. Jones for her support of a recently-passed measure to use federal funds allocated to the city for similar travel-related grants.
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt is fighting the city effort in court, arguing that it violates state law.
At the Friday night event, Pressley told more than 300 people that Bush should be re-elected because she is "a disrupter" of white supremacy, mass incarceration and generational trauma.
"She is a disrupter of the status quo," Pressley said.
Also on Friday, Bush pulled in an endorsement from Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a day after getting backing from another 2020 Democratic presidential contender, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
While Bush was appearing with her well-known friends from Congress, Roberts’ day was more low-key.
He appeared Friday afternoon at a meeting of the St. Louis Metropolitan Clergy Coalition, which includes many Black ministers. Bush later also met with the group.
On Saturday, Roberts plans to speak at a town hall meeting hosted by Alderman Brandon Bosley, 3rd Ward.
Other upcoming appearances for Roberts include hosting a forum on gun violence and speaking to a union group in north St. Louis County, both on Wednesday.
Updated at 11 p.m. with information on Friday night event
