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Citizens of Chicago to Hold Rally to Demand End to Dual Threat of Money in Politics and Voter Suppression

Jan. 14, 2013

MEDIA ADVISORY

Citizens of Chicago to Hold Rally to Demand End to Dual Threat of Money in Politics and Voter Suppression

Events Across Nation Commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Third Anniversary of Citizens United, Demand ‘Money Out, Voters In’

WHAT:  Rally to demand an end to the growing threat to our democracy posed by unlimited corporate spending in elections and voter suppression.

At the event, elected officials will join members of the labor, democracy and civil rights communities in calling for transparency and limits on spending in elections and voting rights for all citizens. Illinois PIRG also will be releasing a report on spending in the last election.

Protesters in Chicago are part of a nationwide movement called “Money Out, Voters In” that includes events taking place on and around the weekend of Jan. 19. Activists in more than 70 towns and cities are rallying to demand that lawmakers pass measures to limit the corrosive influence of money in politics and to expand democratic participation at the polls. Money Out, Voters In is made up of a broad coalition of groups including Public Citizen, NAACP, U.S. PIRG, Common Cause, Organic Consumers Association, League of United Latin American Citizens, Hip Hop Caucus and more.

These actions come as the country is witnessing a groundswell of support for improving our democracy. So far, 11 states and more than 350 localities have formally called on Congress to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision. In addition, more than 100 members of Congress have expressed support for an amendment, as has President Barack Obama.

Find information about the nationwide events at www.moneyout-votersin.org.

WHEN:  12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19

WHERE:  Corner of Adams Street and Dearborn Street, Chicago, Ill.

WHO:  State Sen. Heather Steans, 7th District
Aquene Freechild, senior organizer, Public Citizen’s Democracy Is For People campaign
Anu Dathan, program associate, Illinois PIRG
Other elected officials and advocacy leaders from sponsoring groups and allies

VISUALS:  A 7-foot-long golden megaphone will symbolize how money amplifies the voice of the rich, drowning out the desires of American voters.

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