Stand Up Missouri Rally At State Capitol Is Supported By Hundreds

Online, February 8, 2012 (Newswire.com) - More than 500 concerned citizens and legislators joined Stand Up Missouri, a nonpartisan coalition representing concerned consumers and businesses from across the state, at a kick off rally at the State Capitol yesterday. The purpose of the rally was to encourage Missourians to decline to sign the initiative petition being circulated under the guise of stamping out predatory lending. Representatives from Stand Up Missouri in fact explained that by signing the petition, Missourians would be eliminating consumer access to traditional installment loans and other affordable credit options. Organizers of the rally explained that in 2011 over 180,000 Missourians responsibly and safely used traditional installment loans to meet their financial needs and emergencies. Further, organizers explained that the traditional installment loan has been a financial instrument utilized by Missourians over the last 50 years as a safe and affordable financial tool.

Rally participants encouraging "Decline to Sign" and "Just Say No" on the South Steps of the State Capitol included State Representatives Don Wells, Sandy Crawford, and Wanda Brown, and Stand Up Missouri CEO and Chairman Tom Hudgins.

Hudgins described the rally as an important opportunity to educate Missourians about the dangers buried in the initiative petition which, if successful, would destroy and eliminate Missourians' access to safe, affordable, low dollar credit options such as traditional installment loans. "Today, we have consumers and businesses, families and legislators, all in agreement about the need to shine truth on a deceptive ballot initiative," said Hudgins.

State Representative Sandy Crawford pointed out that Missourians have relied on traditional consumer installment loans to safely meet financial emergencies and manage larger household expenses for many decades. In fact, she used to be a lender herself prior to joining the legislature.

"If this ballot initiative passes, our customers will have no options," said Felicia Zirkelbach. "There are many in my community and across the state who have nowhere to turn when faced with difficult times. I'm proud to be able to help those in need secure safe and affordable loans."

State Representative Wells and Brown both called on rally participants to get the word out about this critical issue.

Stand Up Missouri is encouraging all Missourians interested in preserving access to responsible credit to get more information, join the coalition, and spread the word. In the upcoming months, the coalition will host several events throughout the state to educate Missourians about the benefits of traditional consumer installment loans.

For more information on Stand Up Missouri, please visit www.standupmissouri.org.