Activist Coalition to Call on Congress to Get Money Out of Politics

In April 2016, a coalition of more than 100 organizations calling itself DemocracyAwakening, representing a diverse array of movements and hundreds of thousands of people will coming together in Washington D.C., to demand a democracy that works for all of us.

The focus: “a nation where our votes are not denied  and money doesn’t buy access and power. ”

The coalition consists of activists who are working on action on climate change, racial justice, workers’ rights and fair pay, safe food and water, health care, peace, immigration reform and improvements in education.

According to the DemocracyAwakens website, a number of factors make it difficult for democracy to take place. From restrictive voting laws suppressing the voting rights of people of color, students, and low-income Americans, to a campaign finance landscape that allows big money to increasingly shape elections and the policy-making process.

Three days of protest will take place April 16 – 18. The first day will feature teach-ins, workshops and direct action trainings as well as art to inspire change. The second day there will be a march and rally at the U.S. Capitol, where we’ll mobilize in mass to call for solutions that protect the people’s right to vote. On the third day, advocates from around the country will be encouraged to meet with elected officials and their staff to call for support of measures including:

• The Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 2867, S. 1659), legislation that would restore the protections against voting discrimination that were struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in itsShelby County v. Holder decision, and make additional, critical updates to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• The Voter Empowerment Act (H.R. 12), legislation to modernize voter registration, prevent deceptive practices that keep people from the ballot box and ensure equal access to voting for all.
• The Democracy For All Amendment (H.J.Res. 22, S.J.Res. 5), a constitutional amendment that would overturn U.S. Supreme Court decisions like Citizens United and allow elected representatives to set commonsense limits on money in elections.
• The Government By the People Act/Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 20 and S. 1538), a small donor empowerment measure that would encourage and amplify small contributions from everyday Americans.

Information on how to get involved can be found at the DemocracyAwakening website.