1.Could you tell us about the upcoming Occupy the Courts rally on January 20^th, 2012?

OCCUPY THE COURTS (OTC) is a national day of action protesting the Supreme Court’s odious 2010 ruling in Citizens’ United v. FEC and demanding the passage, and ratification of, an amendment to the constitution that says clearly, and unequivocally, that rights recognized under the constitution belong to human beings, only; and, that money is not speech.  There are currently 74 OTC actions being planned across the country (see our national action map www.movetoamend.org/occupythecourts for locations).  Most of the actions are traditional political rallies, with speakers, street theater, etc., but local action organizers have the freedom to organize an event that makes sense for their particular city.  Move to Amend is a inclusive grassroots organization so we are encouraging our organizers to make their OTC actions as inclusive as they can from a racial, gender, and sexual orientation, stand point.  And, while we are supportive of anyone who makes the pricipled decision to engage in civil disobedience, we are insistant that any CD be peaceful, non-confrontational, and non-violent.

2.We were recently alarmed to learn that only 22% of voters are aware of Citizens United.  Why do you think this is?

Because the corporate-owned “mainsteam” media has a vested interest in NOT reporting on it.

3. As one of the very first organizations sounding the alarm warning against corporate personhood, have you seen interest grow since Occupy Wall Street started?

Most definitely!  OWS has been able to do, in a matter of months, what Move to Amend, and other pro-democracy advocates have not been able to do in years . . . put the issue of “corporate personhood” on the “front burner” of American politics.

4. Move to Amend has drafted its own 28^th Amendment legislation regarding corporate personhood and corporate campaign spending.  What is the difference between your legislation and legislation introduced this year in congress?

Move to Amend’s proposed 28th Amendment is a “people-written” amendment that is designed to protect the rights of people.  This makes our amendment very different from any of the “politician-written” Constitutional Amendments that have been introduced in congress recently.  Ours is the ONLY proposed amendment that say clearly, and unequivocally, that “Corporations are NOT people” and “Money is NOT speech” with NO exceptions and NO loopholes.

5. I would imagine some are more involved than others. How involved are individual Occupy movements in the planning of this event?

Most of our OTC actions are being organized by local MTA affiliates.  In most of those the MTA affiliates have reached out to the local OCCUPY movements to encourage them to participate.  (For example, here in Denver, Occupy Denver’s Tanner Spendley will be a featured speaker). We also have about dozen cities the local OCCUPIES are taking the lead in organizing the OTC action.

6. Are there any special guest speakers planned?

At the Supreme Court our speakers will be Thom Hartmann, David Cobb (MTA National Spokesman and 2004 Green Party Presidential Candidate); Dr. Jill Stein (2012 Green Party Presidential Candidate); Annabelle Park (of the Coffee Party USA); and Medea Benjamin (of Code Pink).  Dr. Cornel West (who was originally scheduled to speak at the Supreme Court, has been rescheduled, at his request, to speak at OTC – Gainesville, FL.

7. At MovetoAmend.com there is an impressive collection of material available for download.  What types of tools are available for those who are planning on attending a rally?

If it is on our website, it is available for people planning and attending OTC actions to download and use!

8. Describe for us MTA’s involvement in the recent LA City Council decision regarding corporate personhood?

Move to Amend L.A. was the driving force behind the L.A. City Council resolution.  The orginal resolution language was based on language proposed by Move to Amend.  Then, on the day of the actual City Council vote, a question came up by a member of the city council, seeking clarification.  To clarify the issue, the City Council simply attached Move to Amend’s proposed 28th Amendment to resolution before voting on it.  So, it was, in fact, Move to Amend’s proposed 28th Amendment that was passed unanimously by the L.A. City Counsel.  For more details about the L.A. City Council vote, I suggest you contact MTALA’s Mary Beth Fielder, who I have cc’d above.

9. What other actions do you have planned for the upcoming election year?

Move to Amend’s goal for 2012 is to have at least 50 cities/towns across the country pass either a voter approved ballot question in support of a constitutional amendment (as the people of Boulder, CO, Missoula MT, and Madison, WI, did in 2011) or, to pass a City Council resolution, as L.A. and Albany, NY, did this month.