MOVE TO
AMEND TOUR COMING TO WV JULY 6th
National Democracy Lawyer Cobb to
Visit, Speak in Charleston
West Virginians for Democracy, WV Citizen Action Group, Seneca 2, and
Progressive Democrats of WV will host a community forum on “Creating
Democracy and Challenging Corporate Rule” with guest speakers David Cobb
and George Friday of the Move to Amend campaign. Part history
lesson and part heart-felt call to action, the event will be at the
Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 520 Kanawha Blvd West, from 7 – 9
pm on Friday, July 6, 2012.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC opened
the floodgates to unlimited corporate spending on elections. Cobb, an
attorney and organizer for the Move to Amend coalition will help
local citizens understand the history behind the recent decision and how
they can work to abolish "Corporate Personhood" and reestablish a
government of, by, and for the people.
“Corporate Personhood” commonly refers to court-created precedent that
gives corporations constitutional rights intended solely for human
beings. “Corporate Personhood is not an inconsequential legal
technicality. The Supreme Court ruled that a corporation was a ‘legal
person’ with 14th Amendment protections before they granted full rights
to African-Americans, immigrants, natives, or women”, states David Cobb,
a spokesman for Move to Amend and an attorney helping to lead the
coalition.
“We have realized a justice-driven movement,” added Friday. “It grows
from the roots up, transforming citizens into effective allies who act
strategically with those most affected by injustice. Move to Amend is a
long-term effort to make the U.S. Constitution more democratic.”
The forum will focus on how West Virginians can participate in the
national movement against Corporate Personhood. Cobb and Friday will
provide information about the issue and facilitate a discussion about
local action in Charleston and in communities across the United States
to win the amendment campaign through grassroots mobilization.
“We are a diverse coalition with deep roots in communities nationwide.
We recognize that amending the Constitution to restore the power of the
people over corporations will not be easy, but we know correcting the
Supreme Court is imperative to the progress of our nation,” stated Cobb.
Over 200,000 people have signed an online petition supporting a
constitutional amendment at
www.movetoamend.org.
The local forum will take place at the UUC,
520 Kanawha Blvd West,
on July 6 at 7 p.m.,
followed by a reception and refreshments.
For more information call WV-CAG
at (304)
346-5891. |