Move to Amend national spokesperson David Cobb, attorney and lifelong activist, will be touring Tennessee in July, in an effort to build connections, inspire activism, and reveal the origins of corporate power in America. The Tennessee Move to Amend group will host a community forum on Challenging Corporate Rule and Creating Democracy. Part history lesson and part heartfelt call to action, the event will be held at the Chattanooga Public Library, 1001 Broad St. Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The recent U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United v. FEC opened up unlimited corporate spending on elections. Mr. Cobb, an attorney and organizer for the Move to Amend coalition, will help local residents understand the history behind the recent decision and how they can work to abolish "Corporate Personhood" and reestablish a government of, by, and for the people.
“Corporate Personhood” commonly refers to court-created precedent that gives corporations constitutional rights intended solely for human beings. “Corporate personhood is not an inconsequential legal technicality," said Mr. Cobb. "The Supreme Court ruled that a corporation was a ‘legal person’ with 14th Amendment protections before they granted full personhood to African-Americans, immigrants, natives, or women.
"We are inspired by historic social movements that recognized the necessity of altering fundamental power relationships. America has progressed through ordinary people joining together—from the Revolutionaries to Abolitionists, Suffragists, Trade Unionists, and Civil Rights activists through to today. Move to Amend is a long-term effort to make the U.S. Constitution more democratic," said Mr. Cobb.
The forum will focus on how Chattanooga can join the national movement against Corporate Personhood. Challenging Corporate Rule and Creating Democracy aims to help local people understand how they can work to abolish corporate personhood and establish a government of, by, and for the people.
“We are a diverse coalition with deep roots in communities nationwide," said Mr. Cobb. "We recognize that amending the Constitution to restore the power of the people over corporations will not be easy, but we know correcting the Supreme Court is imperative to the progress of our nation."
Over 290,000 people have signed an online petition supporting a constitutional amendment at www.MoveToAmend.org.
For more information call 707.269-0984 or visit www.MoveToAmend.org.