National Move To Amend Speaker in Olympia

I-735 Update: Volunteers Needed 

By Janine Unsoeld

www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com

David Cobb, 2004 Green Party presidential nominee and spokesperson for Move To Amend, will be speaking on behalf of Initiative 735 on Wednesday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Traditions Cafe, 300 5th Ave SW in downtown Olympia.

The event is sponsored by local organizers of the Washington Coalition to Amend the Constitution (WAmend), who seek to make Washington the 17^th state to ask that Congress pass a 28^th Amendment to overrule  the US Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission.

Issues to be discussed include ending corporate personhood and the corporate control of our government and the implications of the campaign to overturn the court decision.

“Getting enough signatures for I-735 on the ballot is not yet assured…we are close to where we want to be…but, still, just a little behind schedule,” said local WAmend campaign organizer Michael Savoca.

More than 100 active signature gatherers throughout the state have brought in 100,000 signatures to date. The campaign does not have any paid signature gatherers.

“Sadly, as hard as these volunteers have worked, they need to substantially increase their efforts in the remaining months for us to make it over the finish line in time. We need more volunteers, especially people who would be willing to take even just one or two petitions and leisurely let friends and family sign, over the next month or two,” said Savoca.

The campaign is required to submit 250,000 valid signatures by December 30th 2015.  To ensure 250,000 valid signatures are submitted, the group must gather over 300,000 signatures.

While that deadline seems far away, seasoned organizers know that, realistically, volunteers do not want to gather signatures in the rain and will be distracted by Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season. 

“We need help so that I-735 can succeed, and thus we can end corporate rule, and have “government of the people... by the people…. and for the people,” said Savoca.

For more information about the event and local I-735 campaign efforts, and to obtain initiative petitions, contact Michael Savoca at masavoca@fairpoint.net or (360) 951-6518.

For past stories about getting big money out of politics, see articles at Little Hollywood, www.janineslittlehollywood.blogspot.com. An article on February 7, 2015 explains the difference between an initiative to the Legislature and an initiative to the people.