In Small Groups and Small Towns, Opposition to Citizens United Spreads

[marmar]

from YES! Magazine:



In Small Groups and Small Towns, Opposition to Citizens United Spreads
Ordinary, introverted Jennifer Robinson helped convince her town to officially oppose the Supreme Court decision. You can, too, with a little help from your friends.

by Sarah Byrnes
posted Mar 22, 2012


Jennifer Robinson describes herself as an introvert. “I’m not really the kind of person who likes doing presentations,” she says. But on January 23, Jennifer found herself in front of the Greenbelt, MD, city council and dozens of community members, proposing a resolution in support of an amendment to overturn the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision.

“I really had to work myself up to do it,” she says. “But seeing all the other people there supporting this cause was so exciting. And the city council passed the resolution unanimously! They sent a letter to our state legislature supporting a Constitutional amendment.”

Jennifer is part of a “Resilience Circle” in Greenbelt that meets to learn about the economy and the environment, engage in mutual aid, and take social action. Like many others meeting across the country, her circle used a free seven-session curriculum as a guide for its initial meetings. Jennifer’s circle is sponsored by Greenbelt Climate Action Network (a project of CHEARS.org) in partnership with Simplicity Matters Earth Institute.

“It’s amazing how a Resilience Circle can bring out the social action ‘fever’ in a person,” reflects Lore Rosenthal, a member of another circle in Greenbelt. “It’s partly from learning about how corporations control our democracy—that makes people mad. But the support of the circle is what keeps them engaged in the long term. I think it’s that sustained energy that has caught on in our community. Lots of others have caught the fever—and it’s great!” ..................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.yesmagazine.org/blogs/common-security-clubs/overturning-citizens-united-one-city-at-a-time

[xchrom]

1. Du rec. Nt