Activists Hold Vienna “Democracy is For All” Rally

VIENNA, Va. - Sept. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Activists representing nationwide and local organizations, including Public Citizen, MoveOn.org, Political Action, People For the American Way, CREDO Action, Common Cause, Justice and Beyond and Advocates for Environmental Human Rights will deliver 33,000 petitions from Virginia’s residents to U.S. Senator Mark Warner in his Vienna district office on Sept. 4th  asking him to back a constitutional amendment to curb the flood of money in politics.

Fifty U.S. senators support the Democracy For All constitutional amendment (S.J. Res 19), which would establish that Congress and the states have the power to regulate and limit election spending. However, Senator Warner has yet to add his name to the list. Activists will urge Sen. Warner to become the 51st cosponsor and to support the amendment on September 8 when the Senate considers it.

The amendment is in response to the U.S. Supreme Court rulings in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (FEC) and McCutcheon v. FEC. In Citizens United, the court gave corporations the green light to spend unlimited sums to influence elections. As a result, spending by outside groups – those not affiliated with campaigns – skyrocketed. In McCutcheon, the court struck down the aggregate campaign spending limits, allowing the super-wealthy to contribute millions of dollars directly to candidates, political parties and joint fundraising committees.

"We trust that our Democratic Senator Mark Warner will be joining with 50 other Senators and support the Democracy for All Amendment (SJ Res 19) and not be on the side of Sen. Cruz. This issue is vital to restoring democracy by allowing Congress and the states to once again regulate campaign finance" says Stephen Spitz PDA Virginia co-chair and PDA End Corporate Rule co-chair.

Dozens of organizations nationwide have collected approximately 3 million signatures calling for Citizens United to be overturned. Sixteen states, approximately 550 cities and towns, and more than 160 former and current members of Congress and President Barack Obama have indicated support for the amendment. It’s time Warner gets on board.

WHEN:        Noon, Thursday, September 4th, 2014
WHERE:      8000 Towers Crescent Drive, Vienna, VA
WHO:          To include speakers from a variety of justice advocacy groups.
VISUALS:    Signs and Boxes containing the petitions