Latest Developments

Making Money & Politics an Issue of Faith: a how-to memo from Auburn Seminary and Free Speech For People
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Democracy Amendments

In the fall of 2012, we worked with our friends at Auburn Seminary to help engage religious leaders in the campaign to overturn Citizens United with a constitutional amendment.

We also worked with Isaac Luria of Auburn Seminary and Alexia Salvatierra of Faith Rooted Organizing to produce the memo below, summarizing our shared findings from this project.

A downloadable PDF is available here. The full text is pasted below.

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Free Speech For People Delivers Testimony in Senate Committee Hearing for Washington State Resolution
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Defending Key Reforms

Last week, we joined with a coalition of Washington State groups to deliver testimony at a state Senate Governmental Operations Committee hearing on SJM 8002, a joint memorial that would call on Congress to get big money out of politics. Supporters of the resolution filled the hearing room and represented cities and towns from across Washington State. 

Free Speech For People staff, Arielle Davis and Oske Buckley, provided testimony, which may be viewed, below. 

 

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Representatives Nolan and Pocan Introduce ‘We the People’ Amendment
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Democracy Amendments

 On Monday, February 11, Move to Amend announced the introduction in Congress of the ‘We the People’ amendment by Representative Rick Nolan and Representative Mark Pocan. The amendment states: 

"Rights recognized under the Constitution belong to human beings only, and not to government-created artificial legal entities such as corporations and limited liability companies; and  

Political campaign spending is not a form of speech protected under the First Amendment."

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Today, ask Congressman Jim McGovern anything, on Reddit
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Democracy Amendments

Update: the AMA is now live, here.

Later today, there’s a great opportunity to have your questions about the campaign for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United answered by our champion on Capitol Hill, Rep. Jim McGovern.

Rep. Jim McGovern will be hosting an “Ask Me Anything” session on the website Reddit, from 3pm to 4pm eastern time (12 noon to 1pm Pacific time) today.

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Bucking Citizens United: Valley Congressman Jim McGovern fights to stem the flood of special interest money in elections.
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Democracy Amendments

Maureen Turner

The Valley Advocate

January 29, 2013

Excerpt: 

"The effort picked up speed quickly, helped along by Powell’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court by Richard Nixon. “Over the following years, a divided Supreme Court … transformed the First Amendment into a powerful tool for corporations seeking to evade democratic control and sidestep sound public welfare measures,” Clements said.

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Maine citizens rally for a constitutional amendment, with bipartisan support
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Democracy Amendments

This has been a busy week, with the McGovern bills being introduced and with our White House petition hitting the 25k threshold.

Another big deal this week was a rally in Augusta, Maine, organized by our friends at Maine Citizens For Clean Elections, in support of a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. Our co-founder and President, Jeff Clements, participated, and there was a terrific turnout. The campaign for an amendment is well underway in Maine, with bipartisan support.

Here are excerpts from a few great press clips on it:

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