The CUWG addresses a packed house/ Photo by Kendra Moyer
On January 2nd, 2012, over 100 Occupy Boston activists and supporters met for a vibrant discussion and strategy session about the role of money in politics. The Community Gathering, organized and hosted by the Citizens United Working Group of Occupy Boston, was an exciting kickoff to the group’s month-long education campaign about corporate influence on public policy.
Group members gave brief presentations on PACs, Lobbying and the Revolving Door, and the Citizens United decision, which critics charge has opened the floodgates for unlimited corporate and special interest spending in federal elections. Guest speaker Arthur Macewan of Dollars and Sense presented on corporate personhood — the extension, through misguided court decisions, of rights and protections to corporations that the Founders intended only for people. State Senator Jamie Elderidge discussed legislative possibilities for campaign finance reform, including proposals currently under consideration in the State House. One resolution introduced by Senator Elderidge, S772 , would demand that Congress ratify and send to the states a constitutional amendment overturning Citizen’s United to “to restore the First Amendment and fair elections to the people.”
After the presentations, attendees participated in open discussions aimed at developing solutions. Proposals discussed included: public financing of elections; consumer strategies that would support local economies instead of the worst corporate offenders; an initiative to get all 351 town meetings to pass resolutions; creating an independent coalition of small businesses; and an Article 5 Constitutional Convention. Participants also brainstormed ideas for breaking through corporate media outlets that are reluctant to focus on the need for reform (and have a significant financial stake in a system that allows unlimited spending on campaign ads).
Overall, it was great start to the Work Group’s month-long campaign, which will culminate in a two-day summit on January 20 and 21. It was great to see how engaged people were in open discussions and how committed Occupy Boston activists are to changing our current broken system of campaign finance.
3 Responses to “Occupy Boston Hosts Forum on Campaign Finance Reform”
Boston police officer Darren Edwards is a racist against whites and a loose cannon to the public.
What prompted this? I can find no news stories involving a Darren Edwards of the BPD, or any reference to such an officer in this post.
Here are the details for the Jan 20-21 event that our working group is hosting.
http://wiki.occupyboston.org/wiki/The_Rally_and_Summit_to_Unite_Citizens_for_Democracy