Fire Prevention Week is observed nationally each year from October 6-12, coinciding with October 9, the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
This year’s campaign is, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”
It should be “Stop Corporate Arsonists.”
Don’t misunderstand us. Everyone should have at least one smoke alarm in their home and should regularly check or replace the batteries - ideally this week. There were 360,000 home fires in 2022 resulting in 2710 deaths and nearly 10,000 injuries.
At the same time, we must stop the literal and metaphorical raging fires caused by corporate actions that lead to untold suffering and an existential threat to human beings and other life on our planet.
Literally, the burning of oil, gas, and coal -- known by the fossil fuel corporations for decades and legal due to the political power of the fossil fuel industry -- has been linked to rising global temperatures, resulting in an increase in the number, size, and intensity of wildfires. While more resources like water, volunteer firefighters, and sandbags are essential for combatting these fires, they do not address the root cause: the corporate arsonists. Since 2010, the oil and gas industry alone has generated approximately $200 billion annually by burning fossil fuels that are burning our planet.
Metaphorically, it’s the same story. We can substitute "fires" for inadequate, unaffordable or unsafe health care, food, working conditions, wages, transportation, housing, communications, loans – among many other economic and social problems. Activists often spend significant time responding to individual crises, providing necessary direct assistance to those affected. However, this effort can become a never-ending cycle if we fail to focus on the corporations that contribute to these problems -- companies like HCA Healthcare, Tyson Foods, Amazon, Lowe’s, Norfolk Southern, Blackstone, X/Twitter, and JP Morgan Chase. -- which, again, are for the most part legal.
Why?
Corporate constitutional rights.
Numerous constitutional rights have shielded corporations from being held politically accountable and financially liable to people and communities -- some for decades, others for over a century.
Change will only come if we amend the U.S. Constitution by enacting the We the People Amendment (HJR54).
While changing the constitution is much harder than changing the batteries of smoke detectors – one element is identical.
We must be the change makers. Batteries in smoke detectors don’t replace themselves. Neither does the U.S. Constitution that needs to become more just, relevant, and democratic.
It’s up to us to lead this change by enacting the We the People Amendment, affirming that human beings -- not corporations -- are persons and that We the People have the right and power to regulate, limit, or prohibit contributions and expenditures in political elections.
In solidarity for fundamental change,
Daniel, Kelsey, Jennie, Michael, Katie, Margaret , Keyan, Alfonso, Jessica, Jason, Tara, Cole, Shelly, George, & Greg
- Move to Amend National Team