At Move to Amend, we believe real change starts at the grassroots level, and we are proud to highlight the incredible work our affiliates and advocates are doing in their communities. This month, we are shining a spotlight on our dedicated affiliates from Move to Amend Miami County, Ohio, who have been making waves both locally and nationally.

Veterans for Peace March – Dayton, OH

Sandy Bolzenius and Deb Hogshead recently attended the Veterans for Peace-organized marches through Dayton, OH, which culminated in protests on bridges as part of the NATO assembly protests. Sandy, a veteran herself, represented MTA with pride and was even quoted in a local news article that captured the energy and urgency of the protest. You can read the article here: NATO Protest Rally Coverage.

Deb was also quoted in the same article, adding to the powerful voice of MTA in this important coalition action against military expansion and corporate-driven foreign policy.

In addition, Greg Coleridge, MTA’s Co-Director, attended the protest and was interviewed by the Dayton Daily News, where he discussed the importance of corporate accountability and how it ties into the broader movement for democracy reform. You can check out his interview here: Greg Coleridge Interview.

It’s through collaborative efforts like this that Move to Amend continues to build a united front against corporate power. Our partnership with Veterans for Peace (VFP) is a powerful example of how social justice movements intersect, from anti-war efforts to corporate accountability and economic justice. MTA is committed to supporting these vital coalitions.

We’d also like to give a huge shout-out to Robert Scull from North Carolina’s 2nd Congressional District, who has been diligently working to build support for the We the People Amendment in his district. His efforts to push for the overturn of Buckley v. Valeo at the Wake County Democratic Convention are a prime example of how grassroots action can move mountains.

At the convention, Robert’s resolution to overturn Buckley v. Valeo was passed unanimously without a single challenge from the over 400 delegates present. The resolution is now heading to the North Carolina State Convention for further consideration, and Robert’s continued efforts ensure the resolution’s momentum won’t stop there. He’s already laying the groundwork for the next resolution—corporate personhood—to gain traction at the state level in the near future. As he said, “We expect to have a more progressive Progressive Caucus in Wake County after our next election on June 17.” It’s moments like these that highlight how local advocacy can snowball into national change.

In addition to our ongoing local organizing efforts, we’re thrilled to announce a new champion for the We the People Amendment in deep-south Texas—a region where the fight against corporate control of public resources is intensifying.

Roy De Los Santos, a candidate for commissioner at large in Brownsville, TX, has officially signed the Pledge to Amend, joining a growing list of elected officials who are committed to supporting H.J. Res. 54. In Brownsville, where SpaceX has been actively pursuing the privatization of public beaches and exploiting natural resources, the We the People Amendment is more relevant than ever. De Los Santos' decision to take the pledge is a clear stand against the corporate takeover of public autonomy and a powerful example of how local leadership can stand up to powerful interests.

This marks another significant victory in our ongoing campaign to build people-powered democracy from the ground up. De Los Santos’ support sends a powerful message that, even in the face of corporate giants like SpaceX, the people’s voice can rise above corporate influence and demand accountability.

You can also ask your local elected officials and candidates to take the Pledge and show their support for the We the People Amendment.

If you’re interested in introducing a local resolution of support for the amendment, we’re here to help! These resolutions are a powerful tool for building grassroots momentum and showing elected officials that people-powered democracy is what we demand. Local action drives national change.