by
Mallory Morken - @MalloryMorken
About 200 people gathered in Lafayette Square outside of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in D.C. on Wednesday to profess loudly and clearly that our democracy is not for sale. Public Citizen organized the rally to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Citizens United ruling; and despite the cold and the snow, a lineup of lively speakers and talented musicians ensured that the crowd remained in high spirits. The speakers shared both statistics and personal stories about how the political power afforded to big corporations is undermining our quality of life.
Minnesota Representative Keith Ellison was the featured speaker from Congress. Mid-way through his speech, after a roll call and verbal appreciation for the diversity of issues represented at the rally, he said:
“I was going around asking folks what’s the biggest problem confronting our country? People said, ‘It’s climate change!’- that’s a good one, that’s a serious problem. They said, ‘It’s wage stagnation!’- and that’s a serious problem. Some said, ‘The right to organize!’- and they also have a very good point to make. Or maybe it’s pay equality for women. Big deal, right? But if we cannot let our voice shine through our democratic institutions because they’ve been taken over by big money corporations, then none of these very important issues will be able to come through. Which, in my mind, makes reclaiming democracy, the issue.” [Resounding applause and cheers from the crowd.]
Across the board, regardless of our priorities in our respective organizations, all our issues are affected by the unprecedented ability of corporations to spend millions to influence government.
Rep. Ellison announced that he would introduce the Protect Democracy from Criminal Corporations Act, and that until Citizens United is overturned, this could be a significant step in limiting the political power of corporations. Currently when corporations are caught breaking laws, the typical punishment is a mere slap on the wrist and a fine. However, under the proposed law, criminal corporations would be prohibited from contributing to federal, state, or local elections.
The rally was energizing, and this new bill sounds promising. There are many groups and individuals working together to end corporate personhood and defeat Citizens United, about five million, actually. Minnesota is one of five states that will push for a state constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United, putting pressure on Congress to make the change nationally (see more at www.getmoneyoutaction.org). One of the speakers at the rally drove home the point that even if we personally are not working on the issue, how important it is to share the good news that many people are- and it’s making an impact.
