Interview of Greg Coleridge, Co-Director

Staying in Contact with London Mitchell

November 2, 2023

https://londonmitchell.podbean.com/e/guest-greg-coloridge-move-to-amend/

November Newsletter

1. Regaining traction in D.C.!

2. Affiliate Spotlight!

3. Community Calendar and Announcements

4. Support the movement!

As we gear up for the End of the Year fundraising drive, we're reaching out to our incredible base of supporters with a special request: Do you have any artwork, collectibles, jewelry, services, kids and family items, travel & experiences, sports & activities, gourmet food & drink, arts, culture, entertainment, gift certificates, or other items that you'd be willing to donate to our online auction? 

This event will not only be a celebration of community spirit but a crucial part of our fundraising efforts to advance the passage of HJR 54, the We the People Amendment to End Corporate Rule and Legalize Democracy. Your contributions will play a pivotal role in helping us achieve our mission.

We have a critical issue to discuss, one that affects the very heart of our democracy and the future of our planet.

Move to Amend has always strived for more than simply reversing the Citizens United Supreme Court decision, ending the corruption of money from the rich and corporations spent in elections and passing the We the People Amendment that would abolish ALL corporate constitutional rights.

We believe even more structural changes are needed to achieve genuine self-determination for all people, everywhere. It’s why we’ve always been committed to anti-oppression within ourselves, communities, workplaces, policies, and representation, understanding that oppressed people lack the power to meet their needs and improve their communities.  

Organized labor in the U.S. is experiencing a resurgence, as unions secure better contracts with higher pay and improved conditions following pandemic-related wage suppression, inflation, and a tight labor market. This "Great Reset" has led to successful strikes by various unions, including American Airline pilots, Teamsters at UPS, Kaiser Permanente workers, and more. The current strike by United Auto Workers (UAW) members against major auto corporations GM, Ford, and Stellantis is notable for its creative "Stand Up" strike strategy and a focus on economic justice and inequality. The auto industry's advantages, such as mobility and technological investments, pose challenges to labor. Move to Amend can learn from the UAW's clarity, boldness, and visibility in addressing systemic issues. We must also leverage the current anti-corporate sentiment and remain committed to organizing and being accountable to our base in working to enact the We the People Amendment. 

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In the hallowed halls of the U.S. House of Representatives, there's a troubling void that's casting a dark shadow over our democracy. For more than two weeks, the GOP-controlled House has been without a speaker, rendering one of America's key branches of government effectively paralyzed. The consequences of this leadership vacuum are not just political; they are threatening the very foundation of our democracy.

This current predicament marks the longest period of congressional disarray since 1962, when it took a staggering 55 days to elect a speaker. It's a stark reminder of the urgent need for change, a need that the Move to Amend community recognizes and has been tirelessly advocating for.

As the infamous anniversary of the Patriot Act approaches on October 26th, we are reminded of the civil liberties that most Americans lost in the name of national security.

While we must always be vigilant against threats, it's equally important to scrutinize the internal threats to our democracy. At Move to Amend, we believe it's time to address a pressing issue - the unchecked power and influence of corporations in our society. 

Today, we invite you to stand with us and be a part of the solution.

14 years ago today..."a group of twelve dedicated organizers sat together in a living room, watching the proceedings of the Citizens United vs. FEC case. The impact of this pivotal moment was crystal clear – it was time to take action. Not just to reverse the disastrous decision that unleashed untold amounts of dark money into our electoral system, but also to address the more fundamental issue of corporate personhood, a problem that has plagued our democracy since the 1800s.

On that fateful day, October 20, 2009, Move to Amend was born." 

Today is Move to Amend's 14th Anniversary! And, we want to thank you for sticking with us for 14 years -- building the movement for a Constitutional Amendment that would make clear that corporations are not people, and money is not free speech. And while there's still much work to be done, we are in it to win it!