Pulaski County NAACP Urges Action to Protect Democracy in Missouri

Legislature rushes through controversial measures while Attorney General's office causes unnecessary delays in Constitutional challenge.

We are suing to protect democracy from unchecked executive overreach.

ST. LOUIS, MO – July 18, 2025 In response to the recent decision by St. Louis Development Corporation to pause Certify STL’s business certificate program, President John Bowman issues the following statement: “We recognize political scapegoating when we see it. As the largest and oldest civil rights organization, and as a community in the St. Louis region, we have seen these maneuvers in spades across decades. Political agendas are strong-arming our friends and partners at SLDC, and the M/WBE (Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise) community is paying the price for it. It’s not lost on us that a St. Louis developer has just escalated a high-profile, compelling lawsuit in response to an 18-month-long federal investigation helped by SLDC alleging misuse of SLDC’s minority program.”  President Bowman continues, “We see the pressure these politicos are putting on our local programs and longstanding relationships in the St. Louis region, and we won’t stand for it. We recognize this as a political move, not one that considers the impact these decisions are having on the lives of thousands of minority and women-owned small and large businesses in the St. Louis area. SLDC, we stand with you and will work with you to ensure that the political pressures are lifted and these programs can continue in St. Louis.” NAACP St. Louis County President John Bowman and community partners stand with the leaders of the St. Louis Development Corporation in advocating for what is fair and right for the thousands of minority and women-owned business owners they serve. To continue supporting programs that protect minority and women-owned business owners from being excluded from government contracts, NAACP St. Louis County President John Bowman will submit a formal complaint to NAACP National on behalf of the St. Louis Development Corporation and the region’s minority business owners, friends, partners, supporters, and program recipients. NAACP St. Louis County will continue working with County Executive Sam Page and Councilwoman Rita Days to ensure a fair and equal effort in supporting SLDC as they uphold their longstanding commitment to the St. Louis community. Change is inevitable, and we recognize that we are the agents of change. NAACP President John Bowman is available for follow-up and questions at the email address below. ### NAACP St. Louis County John Bowman – President PO BOX 210464 • St. Louis, MO 63121 ● 314.899.0033 ● naapstlouiscounty.org

(Jefferson City, MO) - MO NAACP filed a complaint today asking the POST Commission to review the social media presence of former Clay County Detective Tom Butkovich. The complaint is in response to the February social media posts from Butkovich and the concern that he will find employment with another law enforcement agency. The Clay County Sheriff's Department fired Butkovich after an investigation into his social media posts. Nothing in Missouri law or police procedure prevents him from finding employment with another law enforcement agency. Revoking his POST Commission; however, would prevent employment as law enforcement in Missouri. The current POST Commission revocation process requires a complaint to be filed before any action is taken. This move by the MO NAACP will start the investigation process and may result in the removal of a person unable to fairly apply the law from our police forces. Compliant Filed Against the License of Det. Tom Butkovich (Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri) The NAACP of the State of Missouri has reviewed the social media comments attributed to Clay County Sheriff’s Office Detective Tom Butkovich. Given the gravity of the situation, we believe the appropriate action is for the Department of Public Safety to revoke Mr. Butkovich’s Peace Officer license in the State of Missouri. We appreciate the Clay County Sheriff's quick action on the matter, but there is nothing preventing Mr. Butkovich from simply moving to another agency and continuing to act under the color of law while holding discriminatory and dangerous views. Law enforcement officers must uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, particularly when serving diverse communities. Mr. Butkovich’s alleged online statement, “Time to put the ‘panic’ back in Hispanic,” in response to a federal immigration enforcement action, is not only offensive but fundamentally undermines public trust in law enforcement. His statement promotes racial hostility and is in direct conflict with the duty of peace officers to serve and protect all communities equitably. A person who holds these views and expresses them publicly while carrying the authority of law enforcement cannot be trusted to administer justice impartially. His years of experience and past training have evidently failed to instill the professionalism and judgment required for his role, making additional training an insufficient remedy. The appropriate course of action is for the Department of Public Safety to revoke his Peace Officer license to prevent further harm and erosion of public trust.