Top Presidential Candidates to Outline Views on Democracy at Citizens United Forum in Des Moines on January 19
Des Moines, Iowa – Top presidential candidates will speak at a forum to mark 10 years after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision and discuss their plans to end the dominance of big money in politics, protect the right to vote, ensure fair courts, and create a democracy that works for all of us. The event, “We The People 2020: Protecting our Democracy a Decade After Citizens United,” is hosted by a diverse group of advocacy organizations and will be moderated by the HuffPost. It will be held in Des Moines, Iowa, two days before the 10-year mark of the court’s decision and just weeks before the Iowa Caucus.
Candidates scheduled to attend include former South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. Additional attendees may be added, and attendees are subject to change.
The HuffPost’s Amanda Terkel and Kevin Robillard will moderate. Press can RSVP here.
Sponsoring Organizations:
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
Common Cause
End Citizens United Action Fund
MoveOn Political Action
NAACP
People For the American Way
Progress Iowa
Public Citizen
What: We The People 2020: Protecting our Democracy a Decade After Citizens United
Where: Des Moines Curate event center, 322 E. Court Avenue
When: 3 p.m. (CST) Sunday, January 19, 2020. A livestream of the event will be available: link TBA. Press can RSVP here
Subjects Addressed:
Candidates will address the most pressing issues facing our democracy, specifically relating to:
- Campaign finance reforms, including corporate PAC donations and how candidates have opted to finance their campaigns.
- Anti-corruption and ethics issues, including lobbying restrictions and corporate influence in politics.
- Voting rights, including access to polling locations, early voting, felon re-enfranchisement, the restoration of the Voting Rights Act, and gerrymandering.
- Election security, including cyber security and election infrastructure.
- Fair courts and appointing judges who believe the Constitution protects all of us, not just the wealthy and powerful.
These issues go to the heart of our democracy. They impact whose voice is heard and whether progress can be made on issues that a majority of Americans want to see addressed, such as access to health care, ending gun violence, and education.
Notes: The event will be free and open to the public. An ASL interpreter will be available at the event.
About Brady:
Brady has one powerful mission — to unite all Americans against gun violence. We work across Congress, the courts, and our communities with over 90 grassroots chapters, bringing together young and old, red and blue, and every shade of color to find common ground in common sense. In the spirit of our namesakes Jim and Sarah Brady, we have fought for over 45 years to take action, not sides, and we will not stop until this epidemic ends. It’s in our hands. Learn more: https://www.bradyunited.org
About Common Cause:
Common Cause is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest, and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity, and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process. Learn more: https://www.commoncause.org
About End Citizens United:
End Citizens United Action Fund works with four million members to call their elected officials, host petition drives, participate in letter to the editor campaigns, and join coalitions of other grassroots advocacy groups to pass legislation to help get big money out of politics. Learn more: https://endcitizensunited.org
About MoveOn Political Action
MoveOn Political Action represents the collective will of MoveOn’s millions of members at the ballot box by using people power to help elect progressive candidates. MoveOn members live in every congressional district in the country and come from all walks of life. We organize together to advance a vision of a world with a place of honor and dignity for everyone—where all are welcome, where we take care of each other, and where everyone is set up to thrive. moveon.org
About the NAACP
The mission of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Learn more: https://www.naacp.org
About People For the American Way
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. Learn more: http://www.pfaw.org
About Progress Iowa
Progress Iowa is a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization. Year-round, we promote progressive ideas and causes with creative earned media strategies, targeted email campaigns, and cutting-edge new media. Learn more: https://progressiowa.org
About Public Citizen
Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization that champions the public interest in the halls of power. We defend democracy, resist corporate power and work to ensure that government works for the people – not for big corporations. Founded in 1971, we now have 500,000 members and supporters throughout the country. Learn more: https://www.citizen.org
