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SALT LAKE CITY, UT (krcl) – How much economic power should corporations have over our political system? David Cobb argues that the health of our democracy requires that we abolish corporate personhood. His efforts at www.movetoamend.org are working to “firmly establish that money is not speech, and that only human beings–not corporations–are persons entitled to constitutional rights.” © Copyright 2010, krcl

On January 21, 2010, with its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are persons, and are thus entitled by the U.S. Constitution to fund campaigns without limit and, consequently, co-op our government. This decision surrenders many of the individual rights of Americans to Corporations.

The Campaign to Legalize Democracy is a coalition of grassroots organizations that are working to fundamentally shift American culture from the current state of corporate rule to one where the people rule. They are working from the bottom up–from communities to cities to states and then finally to the national level–to pass a constitutional amendment abolishing corporate personhood, removing the stranglehold corporations have on our democracy and allowing the people to take power once more.

If you haven’t already done so, please add your name to the 77,000+ who have already signed the Motion to Amend.

Join the Move to Amend in Utah to restore democracy in America!

On January 21, 2010, with its ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are persons,  and are thus entitled by the U.S. Constitution to fund campaigns without limit and, consequently, co-op our government. This decision surrenders many of the individual rights of Americans to Corporations.

Learn what you and your community can do to address this pressing issue. Do your part to reclaim people-power and abolish corporate “personhood” by attending this event with your neighbors, co-workers, and family, and friends.

WHERE: University of Utah, Union Theater [map]

WHAT: Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County, (CA) will lead a community dialogue and strategy session.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT (krcl) – Flora welcomes writer, farmer and feminist Lierre Keith. Her book, The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice and Sustainability is generating excitement and controversy. Keith spent 20 years as a vegan but now argues that big agriculture is threatening the health and viability of the planet. A diet based on “more of the same” won’t help. In a lively hour, Keith makes her case while Utah’s vegan community call-in to make theirs. © Copyright 2010, krcl

Salt Lake Valley residents gather at the gates of Kennecott's coal-fired power plant to make their demands for Kennecott and Rio Tinto to stop externalizing costs by polluting the air they breath

It was a striking sight: kids and seniors, moms and dads, returned missionaries and gay couples, singing “Clean energy today!” in unison. Around 40 folks gathered at the gates of the Kennecott Copper coal-fired power plant on Saturday morning to stand in solidarity at the Fossil Fools Day rally, making their demands for Kennecott to stop burning coal in Salt Lake Valley. Attendees ranged anywhere from under six years to over sixty years of age, and carried large, bright banners and signs painted with slogans like “people over profits” and “system change, not climate change.”

The demonstration signals the beginning of what may be a long campaign to convince the only company currently burning coal in Salt Lake Valley to switch to cleaner and renewable energy. The Fossil Fools Day rally, organized by Peaceful Uprising in concert with a handful of other local environmental advocacy groups, presented Kennecott with three simple demands from citizens who live in its vicinity: First and foremost, to immediately cease burning coal; secondly, to transition to clean and renewable energy by the year 2015; and finally, to ensure that the costs of being responsible—the price of switching to clean energy from coal—not be taken out of the wages of its worker, and instead be reflected in the price of its products. All of these are within the scope of Kennecott’s abilities, but the citizens who attended the demonstration agree that it will likely require long-term efforts to convince the company to change.

Speakers at the rally included Dr. Brian Moench, a member of the Union of Concerned Scientists and co-founder of Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, and Cherise Udell, Founder and President of Utah Moms for Clean Air.  Dr. Moench offered a long list of stark facts regarding the physical impacts on citizens who live in the vicinity of a coal-fired power plant, Utah’s unique vulnerability to the effects of climate change and coal’s proven link to the climate crisis. Ms. Udell (with her two small daughters in tow in their Easter best) described the effects of pollution on Utahns, particularly children, and the short- and long-term health consequences that have been clinically linked to exposure to poor air quality. Peaceful Uprising engaged in some light street theater, as Ashley Anderson gave a satirical speech in the voice of Kennecott, wearing a huge paper mache mask.

The tone of the rally was one of frustration, but also of resolve. Toward the demonstration’s conclusion, Anderson took the stage again as Kennecott, but this time committed to the participants’ demands. He sardonically offered the company’s gratitude: “You have convinced us; and we want to thank people like you, for helping us do the right thing for Utah citizens.”

You can also read our original post for this action, containing an explanation of why we chose to target Kennecott for Fossil Fools Day.

Also, if you’d like to get involved in the future, please sign up for our action alert list.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UT (krcl) – Ken Sanders is a book dealer, former Earth First rabble rouser and friend to the late cult-hero Edward Abbey. Ashley and Ken discuss the radical days of the environmental movement and ask what makes effective activism today. © Copyright 2010, krcl