In the vast landscape of grassroots activism, two Move to Amend affiliates stand out for their unique initiatives, each making waves in their own distinctive way. Welcome to this month's Affiliate Spotlight, where we dive into the creative endeavors of the Greater Dayton Move to Amend and the strategic movements of the Santa Clara County Move to Amend affiliates.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern Corporation train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Twenty railcars crashed carrying vinyl chloride and other hazardous material. A controlled burn was conducted by local officials to supposedly avoid an explosion. Toxic contaminants polluted the community and the surrounding area, include down-wind into Pennsylvania. As this recent article describes, "This story isn't over."

Since the E. Palestine derailment, accidents have increased for the top five freight railroad corporations. Yet, no Congressional legislation has passed to prevent similar disasters.

The story the corporate media hasn't adequately ever told, however, is what we shared last year following the disaster -- the lack of authentic democracy. It's retold below. 

Note: The We the People Amendment is HJR54 is the current 118th Session of Congress

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East Palestine Train Derailment Caused and Worsened by Real Democracy Derailment

The Norfolk Southern Corporation train derailment and subsequent hazardous chemical release into the air, water and land in and beyond East Palestine, Ohio are the inevitable result of multiple anti-democratic realities in the U.S. Many are interconnected and are the same for the roughly 1000 train derailments per year, most recently in Michigan.

Forty-eight years ago today, the Supreme Court ruled in Buckley v. Valeo (1976) that restrictions on campaign spending were a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

They really said that MONEY, which is PROPERTY, is the same as FREE SPEECH.

Most of us learned about the absurd Supreme Court doctrines of "money = speech" and "corporations are people" in 2010, when the Citizens United ruling came down.

But the Buckley v. Valeo (1976) case that set the "money = speech" precedent was not about corporations -- it was about one individual's belief that campaign finance laws were a violation of his first amendment rights to express himself.

Fundamental social change has always involved a combined inside and outside approach – supporters inside governing institutions promoting and defending real change that’s initiated by organized people in grassroots movements. Advancements in women’s rights, civil rights, labor rights, and environmental protections are just a few of the movements throughout our nation’s history that have followed this blueprint.

This is exactly the strategy Move to Amend pursues in working to end corporate rule and the corruption of massive spending in political elections.

As we reflect on what is the 51st anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, we are reminded of the continuous struggle to protect our fundamental constitutional rights and freedoms.

The erosion of women's right to privacy and self-determination are being stripped away, meanwhile SCOTUS continues to rule in favor of ever expanding "inalienable" rights for corporations.

Join us in taking a stand for We, the People. 

Photographer: Bill Clark | Credit: CQ-Roll Call, Inc via gettyimages.com 

Today marks the 14th Anniversary of the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision. The ruling permitted corporations and labor unions to make unlimited “independent” political contributions (i.e. spending for or against candidates that are not made in consultation or cooperation with them, their campaigns or any political party).

The super rich could also shield their political “donations” (more like political “investments”) in “dark money” organizations, nonprofits not required to disclose their donors.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this MLK quote feels relevant:

At Move to Amend, we've never shied away from the labels "radical" (which means exposing and changing the root/core/foundation of problems) or "extremist." Why? Because we are already living under extreme conditions.

What other choice do we have but to be extremists and radicals when corporate rule is widening and deepening, the climate is collapsing, far-right and hate-based authoritarian ideology is becoming more acceptable, and our government isn’t doing enough to address our acute crises? 

We are extremely grateful for your generosity in contributing to Move to Amend during our end-of-year fund drive!

Move to Amend has endorsed the #March4Gaza this Saturday, January 13th, in Washington D.C.

We echo the demands of an immediate and permanent ceasefire, the end of unconditional U.S. military aid to Israel, and accountability for war crimes perpetrated in violation of international law.

We've said many times, 'We would be nothing without our affiliates, advocates, and supporters.' They do a lot of the heavy lifting, which is why we've been recognizing all they do for the movement each month.

Each month we will use this space to spotlight different Affiliates. Find out who is on this month's Affiliate spotlight here!