Activists Hold Richmond “Democracy is For All” Rally

RICHMOND, Va. - Aug. 29, 2014 - PRLog -- Activists representing nationwide and local organizations, including Public Citizen, MoveOn.org, Political Action, People For the American Way, CREDO Action, Common Cause, Justice and Beyond and Advocates for Environmental Human Rights will deliver 33,000 petitions from Virginia’s residents to U.S. Senators Warner and Kaine in Richmond, Vienna and Norfolk district offices on Sept. 3rd  asking them to back a constitutional amendment to curb the flood of money in politics.

Fifty U.S. senators support the Democracy For All constitutional amendment (S.J. Res 19), which would establish that Congress and the states have the power to regulate and limit election spending. However, Warner and Kaine have yet to add their names to the list. Activists will urge the Virginia senators to become cosponsors and to support the amendment on September 8 when the Senate considers it.

The amendment is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) and McCutcheon v. FEC. In Citizens United, the court gave corporations the green light to spend unlimited sums to influence elections. As a result, spending by outside groups – those not affiliated with campaigns – skyrocketed. In McCutcheon, the court struck down the aggregate campaign spending limits, allowing the super-wealthy to contribute millions of dollars directly to candidates, political parties and joint fundraising committees.

"We trust that our Democratic Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine will be joining with 50 other Senators and support the Democracy for All Amendment (SJ Res 19) and not be on the side of Sen. Cruz. This issue is vital to restoring democracy by allowing Congress and the states to once again regulate campaign finance" says Stephen Spitz PDA Virginia co-chair and PDA End Corporate Rule co-chair.

Dozens of organizations nationwide have collected approximately 3 million signatures calling for Citizens United to be overturned. Sixteen states, approximately 550 cities and towns, and more than 160 former and current members of Congress and President Barack Obama have indicated support for the amendment. It’s time Senators Warner and Kaine get on board.

WHEN:          11am, Wednesday September 3rd, 2014
WHERE:          Outside 919 East Main Street, Richmond, VA
WHO:          To include speakers from a variety of justice advocacy groups.
VISUALS:         Signs and Boxes containing the petitions