Washington, DC – Business leaders across the country are calling for a constitutional amendment to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission which allows corporations and others to spend unlimited money to influence elections. One thousand business leaders have signed petitions initiated by the American Sustainable Business Council and Free Speech For People to overturn the court’s decision.

“Giving corporations unfettered influence over the electoral process is bad for business, particularly small business, which is the number one job generator.” said David Levine, ASBC’s executive director. “All businesses benefit from fair rules and high standards. When money distorts the process, business is harmed.”

Two-thirds of small business owners view the Citizens United decision as bad for small business, according to a recent survey of 500 business owners commissioned by ASBC and other business groups. The survey found that 88% hold a negative view of money in politics overall, similar to the 80% percent who disagreed with the Court’s decision when it was first handed down.

“Free speech and other constitutional rights are for people, not corporations,” says John Bonifaz, the co-founder and executive director of Free Speech For People.  “We are proud to join today with business leaders from across the country calling for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United ruling and to restore democracy to the people.”

“As a financial services firm it is important for us and all investors to know that the playing field is level when we make investments,” said Matthew Patsky, CEO of Trillium Asset Management. “Right now, the game is rigged in favor of those corporations with deep pockets to change public policy for their particular narrow interests. We have to work to change this.”

“Companies ought to be competing in the marketplace, not in our elections. And citizens ought to be in charge of the government, not corporations. Every company in America should be willing to say that. That’s what Business for Democracy is all about,” said Ben Cohen, Ben & Jerry’s co-founder.

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The American Sustainable Business Council is a network of business organizations representing over 100,000 companies and 200,000 business leaders. ASBC advocates for public policies that meet the realities of the 21st century global economy including strategic investments in workforce and infrastructure; standards and safeguards that promote innovation, prevent abuse and protect critical resources; and a new sustainable economic model that fosters a growing, economically-secure middle class. www.asbcouncil.org

Free Speech For People is a national non-partisan campaign launched on the day of the US Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC to press for a 28th Amendment to the US Constitution to overturn the ruling and restore democracy to the people.  freespeechforpeople.org.