TO: Kent, Portage County, and northern Ohio citizens interested in speaking or just attending the DEMOCRACY DAY public hearing
FROM: Bill Wilen (organizer and speaker)
Kent Democracy Day Public Hearing
Wednesday, October 1st, 6:00 pm
Kent City Hall Council Chambers
The new City Hall -- corner of Water and Main Streets
We’ve got one week before our Democracy Day public hearing before city council on October 1 (Wed.) and I thought this reminder might stimulate your participation.
The people of Kent approved a ballot initiative ten years ago for city council to hold Democracy Day every election year. The purpose of this public forum is for the people to project their views related to the proposed 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The “We the People” amendment will help repair our election system which is “broken” in many respects because corporations have personhood and money is considered a form of speech. Therefore, corporations are allowed to spend as much money as they want in elections. While profits are essential in a capitalist system the needs of “we the people” should be primary since we are primarily a democracy. To understand more about the issues related to the proposed amendment I suggest going to the website, MovetoAmend.org for more information. Here is some commentary from national Move to Amend that might start you thinking:
“The corporate takeover is not a warning – it’s happening right now. Greedy billionaires and the corporate oligarchy are tightening their grip, and the current administration is helping them do it. The erosion of our rights, our institutions, and our voice is accelerating – but across the country people are pushing back and looking for real systemic change.
The We the People amendment (H.J.R. 54) is resonating like never before. From town halls to Capitol Hill, more and more Americans are demanding an end to corporate constitutional rights and the flood of big money in politics. This is the pivotal moment we’ve been preparing for – and we need to meet it with everything we got.”
Kent City Council will hold its Democracy Day forum on October 1st (Wed.) at 6:00 in the chambers of the recently opened new city hall on the corner of Water and Main Streets.
You can park behind the building and enter through the back door and walk downstairs to the council chambers. Citizens can participate by speaking to council for 3-5 minutes on their perspectives related to the needs of “we the people” and how special interests are negatively influencing issues important to them. If you want to only attend to learn more that is fine. If you intend to speak, please sign in with the clerk of council, Kathy Coleman, and give her a copy of your speech. Copies of the speeches will be sent to our elected state and federal representatives in Columbus and Washington D.C.
If you have any questions, you can contact me via email – [email protected]. See you at the public hearing.
Bill Wilen
