“Independence Day” is coming up soon. July 4 is a Friday. There will be many public events that day and weekend:: parades, fireworks, festivals, block parties, picnics, etc.

What better time to follow up “No Kings Day” protests where we called for No Kings, No Corporations: Rejecting Authoritarian and Corporate Rule with actions to Declare Independence from Corporate Rule.

Colonial independence from British rule was, in some ways, authentically revolutionary in rejecting the rule of monarchs, legitimately claiming unjust grievances, and asserting that colonists should have the power and right to self-governance  – among other factors. Yet, it’s also true that the colonial revolution was blind to asserting equal rights to women, blacks, indigenous people and white males without property (i.e. indentured servants). Colonial  merchants, land owners, financiers and politicians sought to replace rule by the Crown with rule by the rich. As John Jay, a “founding father” and First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, summed up crisply: "The people who own the country ought to govern it."

Rule by the rich, now wealthier and more powerful than ever, is inextricably connected to the rise of corporate power. For more than a century, the Supreme Court has granted corporations multiple constitutional rights by concluding that “a corporation is a person."  Corporations increasingly govern, control, and dominate key economic and political decisions. Mega corporations and billionaires, in effect, control our government, economy and major media institutions. 

Six ways to TAKE ACTION to Declare Independence from Corporate Rule this July 4 weekend.

1. Download and make visible our Move to Amend “corporate flag”
2. Download, attach to clipboard/cardboard and circulate this petition QR code to circulate at public events.
3. Download, attach to clipboard/cardboard and circulate our paper petition calling to abolish corporate constitutional rights and money as free speech at public events
4. Download, cut and distribute our Declare Independence from Corporate Rule ¼ page flyer at public events
5. Combine any of the combination of above 4 action items when attending public events
6. Share this email without everyone you know on email and social media

Ending corporate rule and the corrupting influence of money in politics won’t end by itself. It’s up to us to continue building an authentically inclusive and democratic democracy movement to create an authentic democracy – for the very first time. 

Onward and upwards in creating an authentic democracy that we all deserve

Onwards and upwards,

Alfonso, Jessica, Jason, Tara, Cole, Shelly, George, Daniel, Kelsey, Jennie, Keyan, Michael, Katie & Greg

- Move to Amend National Team