Kevin,
Some have said it can’t be done, but we’re doing it.
City by city, state by state, we’re building the groundswell of support we need to introduce a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.
This past week we had a major state victory and hit a big campaign milestone on Capitol Hill.
There’s more news about that below, but first, have you heard about Resolutions Week?
Resolutions Week is an initiative led by Public Citizen in partnership with other organizations to help activists nationwide pass more than 100 local resolutions the week of June 11.
The initiative is off to a great start: more than 100 towns held meetings this month to organize around passing city council and town meeting resolutions. Overall, 5,500 people nationwide have signed up to be a part of Resolutions Week. More than 150 cities and towns nationwide have already passed resolutions or ballot initiatives calling for an amendment.
Vermont Victory!
Last Thursday, Vermont became the third state to officially call for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s disastrous Citizens United ruling. The Vermont House followed the Senate and passed resolution J.R.S. 11 by a vote of 92-40. With that, Vermont sent a strong message about the need to take democracy off the auction block.
In March, 65 towns in Vermont also passed town ballot initiatives calling for the state legislature and Congress to pass an amendment. The town meeting mandate fueled the state resolution victory and generated tri-partisan support in the legislature, including a majority of Vermont’s Republican state senators.
Public Citizen coordinated the Vermont effort with key partner groups and hundreds of Democracy Is For People activists.
Congressional Summit on Overturning Citizens United
Last Wednesday on Capitol Hill, in front of a packed audience, a dozen members of Congress asked their colleagues to join them in signing a Declaration for Democracy calling for an amendment to overturn Citizens United.
Watch a video of Public Citizen President Robert Weissman speaking at the summit.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and U.S. Reps. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.), Donna Edwards (D-Md.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Jim McGovern (D-Mass.) — all sponsors of proposed amendments — convened the summit to showcase the leadership of activists, advocates and lawmakers across the country and to show support for their efforts, including through initiatives like Resolutions Week.
Featured activists included New Mexico State Rep. Mimi Stewart, Portland City Councilor David Marshall, Maryland State Senator Jamie Raskin and Vermont activist Georgina Forbes. All shared stories about how they were able to launch and win resolution efforts in their towns and states over the past year.
There are now nearly 100 members of Congress who have gone on record supporting our call for an amendment.
We’re on our way. But we still need more people like you to join.
Sign up now to host an organizing meeting or press event on May 9.
On May 9, people all over the country will hold press events and organizing meetings to introduce their local resolutions and publicly launch their efforts. It is OK to plan an organizing meeting even if you haven’t participated in this effort yet. We will provide you with resources and support to make it happen.
With these victories, one thing is clear: As each community stands up for democracy, more communities come on board. You can help make sure your community is part of the action.
Sign up now to participate in Resolutions Week by hosting a press event or meeting on May 9.
Sincerely,
Mark, Aquene and Jonah
Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People Campaign Team
