Dr. Stein rallies movement to "Occupy the Courts"

Tens of thousands of Americans in over 130 cities gather today at federal courthouses and in public squares, nearly the two-year anniversary of Citizens United v. FEC, to reject the doctrines of corporate personhood and money is speech. Dr. Jill Stein, Green Party presidential candidate, is a lead speaker today in Washington, D.C., where she joins protestors on the steps of the court building of the Supreme Court of the United States. Dr. Stein joins leading members of the Move to Amend coalition, as well as Thom Hartmann, Medea Benjamin, and others in this role.

"Since 1996, the Green Party has called for a constitutional amendment to abolish the doctrine of corporate personhood," said Stein. "Greens have been ahead of the curve, but today, the curve has caught up with us, and now this movement for a constitution that serves we, the people, has gathered a historic momentum."

The Move to Amend coalition, responsible for today's Occupy the Courts actions, is by far the nation's largest and most diverse coalition working to overturn Citizens United v. FEC. In addition to today's actions, local Move to Amend affiliates are instigators of the dozens of municipal and local government resolutions already adopted this year calling for constitutional reform.

Move to Amend is a genuinely non-partisan coalition in that its leadership includes members of various political parties, as well as independents. Among the prominent Green Party members who are co-founders of Move to Amend are David Cobb (2004 Green Party presidential nominee), Leesa George Friday (co-chair of the Black Caucus of the Green Party of the United States), Ben Manski (former national party co-chair, 2001-2004), and Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap (a local elected official in northern California).

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David Schwab commented 2012-01-21 16:27:51 -0500 · Flag

I joined Occupy Albany’s protest at the federal courthouse on Friday. We had good turnout on a frigid day, with lots of cool people in the crowd and lots of support from passersby. I brought some Jill Stein fliers to the demonstration and offered them around. Most people were enthusiastic about taking them. At the end, they asked if anyone had announcements, so I told them about Jill’s People’s State of the Union and said they should check out jillstein.org if interested. The ground is ripe for seeds of change this year!

Caroline Yacoub commented 2012-01-21 13:27:40 -0500 · Flag

The movement to amend the constitution to eliminate corporate personhood is a good thing. It is bringing together people of otherwise disparate beliefs in the name of genuine human democracy. But, as many have pointed out, getting it through Congress and then passing it in 3/4 of the states is a monumental, if not impossible task. Too bad we can’t challenge the ruling in the Supreme Court that started all of this. We would only need to change the mind of ONE Supreme Court Justice in order to overturn Citizens United.

Tim Ryan commented 2012-01-20 16:58:57 -0500 · Flag

An amendment like the one MTA is proposing is crucial and completely necessary. However, with the current corporate bought politicians sitting in congress and on state legislatures this will be next to impossible. To pass an amendment of this nature we will need to elect candidates that truly represent their constituents and not their corporate masters. http://beyourgovernment.org/ provides a platform for post-partisan pro99% candidates to run using social/free media, at no cost.

Will Fudeman commented 2012-01-20 12:24:19 -0500 · Flag

Here’s a song for this day (Jan 20, 2012) and this year— “We the People”- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMNHwdBk_bo

William Nerin commented 2012-01-20 11:09:00 -0500 · Flag

Congratulations to Dr. Stein for being active like this; and the same for this improving website. Every other day I go to this site and the one of Rocky Anderson to see who’s doing what and I must say Stein is doing more and her website is superior to Anderson’s.

I observe all this for it also tells me which of the two seem to be more efficient in organizing and in expressing their positions – for surely we must elect someone other than the leader of the Democratic of Republican Parties. These two Parties have sold their souls to the 1% Corporate Store.

I try to give credit to where I think it is due. Anderson’s acceptance speech for the Justice Party was great. I am anxious to hear Stein’s 1/25 response to Obama address to the nation.

Jill Stein for President posted about Dr. Stein rallies movement to "Occupy the Courts" on Jill Stein for President's Facebook page 2012-01-20 01:30:35 -0500

Let's rally today to #OccupytheCourts - #OWS #WIUnion #WIRecall #Occupy #OccupyDC #FreedomPlaza #union #workersrights