Democracy Awakening: April 16-18

[Jefferson23]

*Please spread the word


WHAT

In April 2016, more than 200 organizations representing a diverse array of movements and hundreds of thousands of people are coming together to demand a democracy that works for all of us – a nation where our votes are not denied and money doesn’t buy access and power. Join us as we converge upon Washington, D.C. for an array of actions, including demonstrations, teach-ins, direct action trainings, music, a Rally for Democracy, and pressing for a Congress of Conscience through non-violent direct action and advocacy. Together we will build a nation that is truly of, by and for the people.

WHY

American democracy is premised on the fundamental tenet, “one person, one vote,” but since the very beginning, we’ve had to fight for every voice to be heard and every vote to be counted.

Today, we’re fighting for change on many fronts – for action on climate change, racial justice, workers’ rights and fair pay, safe food and water, health care, peace, immigration reform and improvements in education. But an array of barriers are keeping regular Americans shut out of the political process, from restrictive voting laws suppressing the voting rights of people of color, seniors, students, and low-income Americans, to a campaign finance landscape that allows big money to increasingly shape elections and the policy-making process.

For both money in politics and voting rights, the U.S. Supreme Court has eviscerated laws that once protected the voices and votes of everyday Americans. And for both issues, Congress has solutions in front of them, but has so far failed to act. And now the Senate is blocking fair consideration of the nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, including timely hearings and a vote by the full Senate.

It’s time for us to come together and claim a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts equally — in other words, a democracy that works for all of us.

It’s time for a Democracy Awakening.

That’s why we are mobilizing. And that’s why we need you to join us.

Our Demands

We need a Congress that stands up for democracy rather than stands in its way. Here’s the agenda we’re calling for Congress to pass:

Fair consideration of the nominee to fill the Supreme Court vacancy, including timely hearings and a vote by the full Senate.

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 its Shelby 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.

Our reform agenda is aimed at creating a democracy where every voice is heard and every vote counts equally — in other words, a democracy that works for all of us.

http://democracyawakening.org/about/

http://democracyawakening.org/sign-up/

[brooklynite]

1. "We demand"...or else what?

It's perfectly appropriate to advocate for your issues; but when you add the flourish of "Our demands", it begs the question: what will you do if your demands aren't met? And what evidence is there that your threatened retribution is plausible?

[Kentonio]

2. Because people who hold their hands out and ask nicely for the system to be changed

Will be waiting an awfully long time.

[brooklynite]

3. You didn't answer the question: what happens if your demands aren't met?

[Kentonio]

15. You forgot to demand I tell you. See how it works now?

[brooklynite]

16. I didn't demand; I asked politely. See how that works?

[geek tragedy]

5. Hey, we should support all of this effort being funneled into DC the

week before the New York primary and 10 days before Pennsylvania.

[Jefferson23]

7. What threat of retribution? The one you made up in your head?

It is responses like yours that lead me to believe this party will split, not the ones
demanding a functioning democracy.

Advocate for my issues? lol

I do appreciate you defining yourself, a lot.

[CalvinballPro]

4. If you truly supported democracy, you'd be working to get 51% of votes, not pressuring officials

to meet your demands before you have it. It seems to me like you don't want to go through the democratic process, though, because you know you don't have the votes to win.

We need a Congress that stands up for democracy rather than stands in its way.

And your brilliant idea was to run one single candidate for an office outside of Congress. *facepalm*

It's always the sore losers who claim that "the system is rigged" or "the fix was in."

[Jefferson23]

6. lol

[MineralMan]

8. Boy, I hope they have enough porta-potties for this one.

Sounds like they'll need at least a dozen or so.

[Jefferson23]

9. Oh look another champion against corruption stops by to say hello. lol

You guys crack me up.

[MineralMan]

10. Well, I clicked on about 10 of those

organizations that are listed on the site at your link. None had any mention of this event on their home page. I'll keep looking, though. Are you sure they're all on board for this? You'd think, with it being so close to the date, that they'd have something about it on their home pages.

I don't know, though. Maybe it's supposed to be a secret or something...

[Jefferson23]

11. Your comments and agenda are no secret, so no worries.

Have a great day.

[MineralMan]

12. And yet, there's still nothing about this event

on those "sponsor's" sites. I wonder if they even know it's happening. Maybe I'll ask some of them and see what they say.

OTOH, I did find something on the Ben&Jerry's site about the event, though. So that's one. I'll keep looking, though.

Of course, I'll be watching for news about this on the day's it's happening, too. Maybe you can post a live video link, too, so we can all watch if we can't be there in person.

[Jefferson23]

13. uh huh. n/t

[Jefferson23]

14. kick n/t