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"Citizens United" anniversary sparks FOR THE PEOPLE SUMMIT

Trans-partisan, populist rejection of "Citizens United" kicks off Jan. 20

Washington DC (Jan. 13, 2011) — Planners of the For the People Summit announced today that four additional speakers will attend a rally at the U.S. Capitol and strategy summit at the Washington Plaza Hotel to mark the first anniversary of the "Citizens United v. FEC" Supreme Court decision.

Heather Booth of Americans for Financial Reform, Angelo Carusone of Media Matters, former Pentagon Analyst and Military Reform Movement leader Chuck Spinney, and Lori Wallach of Global Trade Watch join an impressive list of policy experts and netroots innovators gathering to launch a national movement to address the issue of money in politics.

In recent days, 30 satellite events have sprouted up around the nation as listed at MovementForThePeople.org. A kickoff party, called "Party For the People" has been added to the Summit schedule, Thursday, January 20th at the K Street Lounge.

Summit events to include: * Lobby Day on Capitol Hill (Jan. 20) supplemented by Lobby Days around the country * Party For the People Jan 20, 6 to 9 PM at K Street Lounge * "We the Corporations vs. We the People" Rally (Jan. 21 at 11 AM at the U.S. Capitol Area 9) * Two-day Summit (Jan. 21 and 22 at the Washington Plaza Hotel at Thomas Circle


Revised release below:

"Citizens United" anniversary sparks summit, rally, national meetings
FOR THE PEOPLE Summit convenes in Washington D.C. Jan. 20 to 22

WASHINGTON D.C. Jan. 13, 2011 — To mark the first anniversary of the controversial "Citizens United" Supreme Court ruling, a coalition of advocacy groups and concerned citizens will host the For the People Summit, including a strategic conference at the Washington Plaza Hotel and a "We the Corporations" vs. "We the People" rally at the U.S. Capitol.

Speakers will include Phil Aroneanu of 350.org, Dean Baker of the Center for Economic and Policy Studies, Marge Baker of People for the American Way, John Bonifaz of Free Speech for People, Heather Booth of Americans for Financial Reform, Ellen Hodgeson Brown, author of Web of Debt, Angelo Carusone of Media Matters, David Cobb of Move to Amend, veteran universal health care advocate Margaret Flowers, Judith Freeman of New Organizing Institute, Lisa Graves of the Center for Media and Democracy, Eric Hensal of Murray Hill, Inc., former Federal Reserve economist Arnold Kling, Lawrence Lessig of Fix Congress First, Michael Ostrolenk of Transpartisan Center, Steve Meacham of City Life Vida Urbana, former Pentagon Analyst and Military Reform Movement leader Chuck Spinney, Sanho Tree of the Institute for Policy Studies, Lori Wallach of Global Trade Watch, and Kevin Zeese of Voters for Peace.

Bill Moyer of the Backbone Campaign and Annabel Park of the Coffee Party are two of the principal organizers. "It's very hard to make progress on any issue without addressing the problem of money in politics," Park said, "because right now it takes a nearly impossible amount of effort for ordinary people to compete with the daily influence that entrenched lobbyists enjoy. To succeed, we need to step outside the traditional left-right-center framework and find common cause across the political divide."

Today, a growing coalition that also includes Center for Media and Democracy, Alliance for Democracy, and Move to Amend launched a new website — MovementForThePeople.org — inviting people around the country to create local events and/or participate on-line.

"The greatest political reform of our time will be to abolish the legal concept of 'corporate personhood' and the inherently anti-democratic equation of money with political speech," Moyer said. "I believe this monumental task will be achieved in the coming years built on a foundation of community-based battles to return power to the People."

Nancy Price, Co-chair of the Alliance for Democracy, said she is impressed with the emerging coalition, for which she has served as an adviser. "The Summit will be an open discussion putting aside political, cultural, and ideological differences because the problem of money in politics is uniting America like few issues can," she said. "80% of us disapprove of the Citizens United decision. 87% disapprove of the job Congress is doing. The American public will not accept a future in which we are no longer a self-determining people."

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[Davidthorough]

Huge problem and I really applaud the Coffee Party USA for their efforts in this area!!! The Coffee Party is the only thing I've seen in my 40 years of political awareness... that gives me any hope at all! I appreciate the Coffee Party giving those of us who care about these important issues a place to actually try to do something about them! Please keep up the good work!!!

[denbud1]

@maegari2 more... These teaparty leaders work people up, telling them that progessives are the enemy, and make up stories about how you will loss your liberties if you vote for anyone other than the teaparty's choice....which will always be the person that will vote to weaken enviroment regulations. That's why it is important to get the money out of politics.

[kjfamily1]

I would love to be part of this event. Ditto ata from the Heart of it All! Anyone headed that way from the midwest?

[willi234]

It's truly amazing .... because actually, if the Tea Party truly believed in the constitution; this issue would be number #1 on their agenda. Life is stranger than fiction.

[denbud1]

@lamode70

I agree



[denbud1]

@Davidthorough

I agree



[denbud1]

@maegari2

An example of how corporations have used Citizens United adversely... a teaparty group is sponsored and funded by the Koch Brothers (Corporate Oil Men). I believe they are the 3rd richest men in he US. The Koch Brothers would love to see no government regulations on oil drilling considering they are amoung the top 10 air polluters in the US, so it is to their advantage to promote/fund a group that is "anti-government".

[denbud1]

@maegari2

I respectfully disagree with your assesment that she is "throwing down a gauntlet", and "setting up a battle between citizens & corporations". She is right to point out that corporations have too much influenence in our government today and how that can adversely effect us. It's sad to say but it is true that most major corporations in america today only care about the bottom line so that the CEO's can make more and more money. Greed has changed our country.

See more below

[iachimo]

Annabel, your quiet, persistent voice is starting to cut through the din I will be cheering you on and contribute to the Coffee Party. Keep the faith!

[lamode70]

CORPORATE INFLUENCE IS THE BEGINNING OF FASCISM IN AMERICA!