City of Toledo

Public Hearing

Wednesday, October 21, 2020
Zoom Virtual Meeting
5:30 PM

The purpose of the Public Hearing is for:
Democracy Day

The Public Hearing will examine the impact of political contributions of corporations, unions, PACS and Super-PACS on the City, as well as other issues that arise from the Supreme Court's decisions to give corporations the rights of real persons.

DEMOCRACY DAY ESSAY CONTEST 

For Democracy Day 2020, a committee encouraged students at the college and high school level to research and express their views on corporate personhood.  The contest went out to High School teachers and College profressors to offer to their students.
 
The writing prompts were used to generate the essays. 
 
A winner was selected from each the college and high school level. 

 
Media Literacy and Democracy
Pierrette Dagg 
2.29.20

From public awareness of a candidate to media buying power, the spread of misinformation, and media literacy education, campaign spending can be an indicator of an election’s outcome. However, there is a mixed opinion in scholarly articles which examine whether or not a candidate’s likelihood of winning an election can be linked to the amount of money spent during an electoral competition. According to Bonneau (2007), in State Supreme Court elections, an incumbent’s campaign spend does not influence an election’s outcome; however, a challenger’s spending can impact the results (p. 497). Other scholars, such as Nice (1987), have posited that campaign spending is more effective for certain political parties than others. More research is needed on the links between campaign financing and electoral outcomes. 

An additional area of inquiry must include the ways in which mass media advertising impacts public awareness of political contenders. Capitalistic systems do not promote a democratic society. Media and advertisements are dominated by those with the largest buying power, which could influence voters’ political awareness and positions. Links between awareness and financing are not the only issue when examining the connections between money and mass media. DeMarrais et. Al. (2019) wrote, “In short, the rise of news and fake news across social media and the ability to spread false information across many platforms demand that we understand how the platforms are used and how they ought to be used” (p. 317). The spread of misinformation by the most affluent candidate or party can be just as impactful as standard campaign advertising.

Research regarding media literacy for adults, educators and students will also be conducted. DeMarrais, et. Al. (2019) said, “Because the majority of Americans get their information from local television news, what becomes important is consideration of who owns the majority of that news medium” (p. 317). I believe that a public understanding of the implications of media ownership on society has lain fallow and is fertile ground for work by activist scholars.

Questions that need to be addressed include: Does the amount of money a candidate spends impact the outcome of an election overall? How does media spending influence a race? Can media literacy and an understanding of who owns the media impact these outcomes? What are the implications of these questions on a democratic society? One potential framework to provide a lens for discourse on the topic could include Beane and Apple’s (2007) “values and principles of democracy,” which include the “open flow of ideas” and “critical reflection and analysis.” Without an understanding of financing and media influence on election results, these democratic principles will be unachievable.  I urge Toledo City Council to support efforts to support public awareness of media ownership and its impact on democracy, as well as supporting media literacy within the general citizenship. 

Sources: 

• Apple, M. and Beane, J. (2007). “The Case for Democratic Schools.” In Apple, Michael W. and James A. Beane. 2007. Democratic Schools: Lessons in Powerful Education (pp.5-8, 14-19).
• Heinemann Bonneau, C. (2007). The Effects of Campaign Spending in State Supreme Court Elections. Political Research Quarterly, 60(3), pp. 489-499.  
• deMarrais, K., Brewer, T. J., Herron, B., Atkinson, J. (2019). Philanthropy, Hidden Strategy, and Collective Resistance (p. 317). Myers Education Press. Kindle Edition. 
• Nice, D. (1987). Campaign Spending & Presidential Election Results. Polity, 19(3), pp. 464-476. The University of Chicago Press on behalf of the Northeastern Political Science Association. 

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Democracy Day Essay
Rachel Avina
Feb. 25, 2020

I am not a politician, nor am I an activist. Simply put, I am a citizen. Some days, I feel like that title holds more weight. It is the sacred duty of all citizens to uphold the law and to revise the law when it is corrupt. A corporation is not a citizen. But through the justice system, five Supreme Court judges determined in their ruling on Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporations have personhood. “Corporate personhood” grant corporations constitution rights and legal standing, something previously reserved solely by the people. These rights allow Marathon Petroleum to give $2.5 million to politicians in Washington, D.C. The Tobacco Industry exercises its rights by slipping $29,400 in Kevin McCarthy’s back pocket. Each back scratch and under the table handshake is legal, protected by the First Amendment right to free speech. Defined by the Constitution, freedom of speech is the ability to talk and express freely without fear of punishment. However, companies convey free speech through donations and money. Actions like these give businesses power over our elections and officeholders. Corporate America has put a price tag on our elections, and it’s in the billions. Compromised representatives threaten our democracy. The law is no longer objective, and it is the people that suffer the consequences, not corporations. All of this begs the question; Are your representatives for sale?

By: Jordan Vandenberge
https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/in-depth/painesville-issue-1-grassroots-group-pushing-to-send-message-against-corporate-campaign-contributions

PAINESVILLE, Ohio — The Center for Responsive Politics preliminarily projects the total cost of the 2020 election cycle to be $10.8 billion, roughly a 50% increase in spending compared to the 2016 election when adjusted for inflation. If the projections hold true, political spending this election cycle would equal about a third of Ohio's annual budget ($32.4 billion). As large sums of money and political influence have largely become synonymous with one another, a small but passionate group in Painesville is trying to put a stop to it.

On their ballots this November, Painesville voters will decide Issue 1, a proposed ordinance by petition that would declare the need for a constitutional amendment that would clamp down on political contributions by corporations, unions and Super PACs. The ordinance would also declare that money is not the equivalent of speech.

Fright Night: Racism, Corporate Power, and other Horrors

Film Screening & Discussion

Friday, October 30th

6pm Pacific / 9 pm Eastern

(The Zoom capacity for this event is limited to 100 participants.) 

How do horror movies reflect culture, attitudes, and social values? How do they help people endure racism and oppression? Join Move to Amend as we screen classic cult and horror films and discuss together how these films highlight systemic racism and social justice issues in the United States. 

--->To receive a Zoom link to join the movie screening and discussion, RSVP below and a link will be emailed to you. 

Check out and share our Facebook event HERE

Our election system is broken because of the destructive influences of money in politics and the misguided notion that corporations may claim constitutional rights. With these rights they are able to spend tremendous amounts of “dark” money through organizations and PACS to support the candidates who will serve their needs. And their primary need is profit. While profits are essential in a capitalist system the needs of “we the people” should be primary since we are also a democracy.

Move to Amend Ohio Network Quarterly Education Program

July 18, 2020

Presenters

Debbie Silverstein, Statewide Director of Ohio’s Single Payer Action Network (SPAN), presented a plan to ensure healthcare for all Ohioans. Once enacted, the comprehensive plan will provide far better care for far less costs while providing jobs and training during the transition.  

Markie Miller, Organizer of Toledo for Safe Water, described the improbable journey of a small group of local people to established the first Rights of Nature initiative in the U.S. Backed by the people of Toledo, attracting global attention, and startling corporations resisting the rights of both Nature and of The People, these intrepid citizens continue to fight for Lake Erie.

Video of program at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSakLo_trBo&feature=youtu.be

Move to Amend Ohio Network Quarterly Education Program

September 26, 2020

Presenters:

William Phillis - Executive Director - Ohio Coalition for Equity & Adequacy of School Funding 

Joe Logan, President, Ohio Farmers Union

Video of program at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9NC14n5nLY

Peoples Movement Assembly - Towards a Peoples Constitution

October 2020

The moment is ripe for change. A global pandemic has left unprecedented numbers of people without jobs, housing and healthcare. A swell of uprisings against police brutality have further exposed the deeply rooted white supremacy in our institutions. For over ten years, we have been facilitating conversations with People across the US about imagining what constitutional renewal could look like in this country. Now we're leveling up. 

Saturday October 24th

10am - 3pm Pacific

1pm - 6pm Eastern

&

Sunday October 25th

10am - 1pm Pacific

1pm  - 4pm Eastern

Join us for a two day, virtual, participatory process where we'll:                            

- Level up our understanding of rights, constitutions, constitutional renewal processes, corporate power, settler-colonialism, and codifying movement demands

- Have participatory small group breakouts to identify the current moment, envision a better world, and begin planning for how to get there

- Build coalitions, build community, share our experiences and ideas     

- Synthesize our movement demands in a constitutional framework

- Be bold, visionary, revolutionary, and joyful  

RSVP AND REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE

What is a Peoples Movement Assembly?

The Peoples Movement Assembly is a participatory process which came to the US out of the World Social Forum, and has been used by many communities and assemblies for generations.

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Assumptions

This People's Movement Assembly- Towards a Peoples Constitution is a process designed for those who are ready to imagine a better world and a constitution that protects People and Planet, not corporations and profit. 

This is not a space to debate if we should renew the constitution, but rather, what's our vision for a Peoples Constitution. The following assumptions are the starting point for this PMA. Please join us if you are at least mostly in agreement with these assumptions.  

1. The USA is not now, nor has it ever been a functioning democracy.
2. The United States was founded on stolen land and built using stolen labor from enslaved people.
3. The US Constitution was created by and for the wealthy elite of the era - excluding most people living on the land at the time of its crafting. Specifically, the Constitution was written to protect and represent white men with money and/or land. 
4. The US Constitution is a property rights document, not a human rights document.
5. The US Constitution was used to perpetuate and legalize attempted genocide, white supremacy and racism, male domination over women, and class oppression. It took mass social movements—broad, deep, conscious, organized and educated—to make marginal improvements in this country. With each hard-won expansion of suffrage, the governing elite devised mechanisms to shrink what effect the vote could have.
6. Any movement that wants to actually create a new world must create new institutions (including new legal institutions) that meet people's needs without destroying the planet that we depend upon for life itself.
7. All law should be contingent on and subordinate to the highest laws -- unalienable rights shared equally by all. Because "unalienable rights" are /should be the things most highly valued by society and immune from regulation / limitation. The establishment, protection and enforcement of Unalienable Rights must be the constitution's reason for being and should direct freedom to govern in all things, in the hands of each community, except wherein a law would limit or violate anyone's Unalienable Rights.
8. The constitution of any country at its best reflects its collective inspirations and aspirations. It defines the legal framework of how people structure their society -- politically, economically, and socially. Moreover, constitutions are moral or ethical documents -- designating what is right and wrong -- with profound implications on literally every aspect of the lives of people, their communities, country and the natural world.
9. The US Constitution should be renewed or rewritten to account for new generations and circumstances, and should exist as a living document which reflects the challenges and opportunities of the times.
10. In order to move towards new systems and a new foundational document, we must be bold and visionary in imagining a better world.
11. The ultimate goal of mass movements is not only to change the culture, but to codify movement demands into laws and, more importantly, rights.

Partnering Organizations 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bZme9AlpEY&fbclid=IwAR0iYO-eq5NHrCY65zcyMVx_q_r7W5MPCRZMPYh0hHPpEEnPXhd_wXI0xiY

The current health and economic crises are exposing our nation's underlying and long-standing democracy crisis. While public attention focuses on meeting people's basic survival needs, big corporations and the rich are using the pandemic as cover to increase in multiple ways their profits and power.

Resolutions Passed by Localities and States in Support

Download list here

Individuals, organizations and communities support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution containing the two main components of the We the People Amendment: abolishing political money in elections defined as First Amendment-protected free speech and declaring corporations “are not persons” (or equivalent) and/or ending corporate constitutional rights.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals have signed our Motion to Amend petition, hundreds of local, state and national organizations have endorsed our cause, and 680 communities and several states have passed public resolutions, as of January, 2020. These resolutions were passed by elected political bodies (i.e. state legislatures, or county/city/town/village councils), residents who voted at Town Hall meetings, or by voters following organized campaigns by Move to Amend supporters across the country to secure sufficient legal signatures on an initiative petition.

Tens of millions of individuals live in the states and localities that have supported amending the Constitution to abolish “money as speech” and corporate constitutional rights.

Passing resolutions in public jurisdictions was at one time a key strategy of Move to Amend in raising public awareness, recruiting and training volunteers, applying political pressure for the We the People Amendment and building organizational power in coalition with others. While it remains a part of our work, our major strategies toward building power to pass the We the People Amendment and work for fundamental democracy have shifted.

These passed resolutions indicate this is not a fringe movement. Nor is it a movement with the singular goal to “end Citizens United” or only focus on getting big money our of elections from the super wealthy. Move to Amend is dedicated to educating and organize to terminate corporations rule. While only one step, it’s a critical one toward the realization of authentic democracy — for the very first time.

We believe that any constitutional amendment must mandate, not be optional or discretionary, that government shall have the authority to determine political campaign contributions and expenditures and that Constitutional rights are the rights exclusively of natural persons.

Constitutional rights were intended solely for human beings. Corporate entities are creations of the state and were intended to be tools to serve the public good.

Go here for information on how to organize a resolution campaign in your community. 

Move to Amend's Law & Research Committee

Articles, fact sheets, reports and charts produced by this committee

Researching Corporate Rule / Corporate Constitutional Rights - An introduction to our work 

PRESS RELEASE: Sept 30, 2020: Climate Crisis-Related Fires Fueled by Corporate Constitutional Rights

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THE CASE AGAINST CORPORATE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS: How Corporate Constitutional Rights Harm You, Your Family, Your Community, Your Environment, and Your Democracy

Part I: Corporate constitutional rights have no legal basis and negatively affect your property rights, environmental protection, worker safety, and community health

Part II: Corporate constitutional rights allowing corporations “right” not to speak and commercial speech “rights” conceal important information from consumers and employees, and expose children to tobacco

Part III: How Corporate Rule Fueled the Climate Crisis

Corporate "Hijack" series

Corporate Hijacking of the 1st Amendment - [political “free speech”] 

Corporate Hijacking of the 1st Amendment - [excluding political free speech] 

Corporate Hijacking of the 4th Amendment 

Corporate Hijacking of the 5th Amendment 

Corporate Hijacking of the 14th Amendment 

Corporate Hijacking of the Contracts Clause 

Corporate Hijacking of the Commerce Clause 

The We the People Amendment: The Constitutional Amendment to Counter Political Corruption and the Corporate Hijacking of the Constitution - "white paper" provided to elected officials and organizational leaders when asking for co-sponsorship or endorsement

Myths of Harmful Unintended Consequences of Abolishing Corporate Personhood

We the People Amendment comparison series

Side-by-Side Comparison: Move to Amend's We The People Amendment, (HJR 48) and the Democracy for All Amendment (HJR 2)

Side-by-Side Comparison: Move to Amend's We The People Amendment, (HJR 48) and HJR 57, Rep. Adam Schiff’s Amendment

Comparing the For the People Act (HR1) to the We the People Amendment (HJR 48)

Do We Need a Constitutional Amendment Now that the Green New Deal Has Been Introduced?

Corporate Rule Transcends Citizens United - report published to mark the 10th Anniversary of Citizens United Supreme Court decision -- containing many of the above pieces

VIDEO: Committee member Jan Rein virtual presentation to Sacramento WILPF, June 2020

Corporate Constitutional Rights are Cancerous to Democracy (July 27, 2020 Common Dreams article by Judy Young and Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap)

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Move to Amend's Model Corporate Code Working Group 

Vision Statement