October, 12 2021, 04:07pm EDT
As Congress Holds the Line on Build Back Better, People's Action Celebrates Corporate Pushback Week of Action
Member Organizations Held Congress to Account; Hosted Direct Actions Targeting Corporations; Pushed to Pass Build Back Better Before Infrastructure
WASHINGTON
People's Action celebrated its National Week of Action where member organizations around the country held rallies targeting corporate entities and the organizations that represent them who are sabotaging President Biden's Build Back Better agenda. The Week of Action coincided with the release of a report written jointly with Demos, Behind the Curtain: The Corporate Plot to Upend Democracy, that revealed the depths of corporate interference. Progressives are sticking to the deal previously made in which Congress agreed to pass the Build Back Better agenda before the bipartisan infrastructure bill, despite greedy corporations spending millions to tank major investments in care, climate, housing, health, and jobs.
Some of People's Action's grassroots member leaders took action on the following issues:
TAX FAIRNESS:
VOCAL-NY hosted a rally at JPMorgan Chase Headquarters in Manhattan targeting CEO Jamie Diamond to demand an end to corporate greed and the company's attempt to sabotage democracy.
The People's Lobby, One Northside, and Jane Addams Senior Caucus in Chicago worked together to rally with 11 movement-aligned elected officials at the local, county, and state levels in front of Blue Cross Blue Shield's Chicago headquarters.
Colorado People's Alliance (COPA) brought together community organizers, leaders, and advocates, including SEIU, for a public demonstration outside an Amazon corporate office in downtown Denver.
Over three dozen members of Iowa Citizens For Community Improvement held a direct action and rally in the lobby of the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
West Virginia Citizen Action Group (WVCAG) hosted a rally outside American Electric Power's (AEP) offices in Charleston. Last year AEP paid zero taxes and earned billions.
HEALTH CARE:
Hoosier Action in Indiana targeted Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield. Hoosier Action texted over 65,000 people pushing out a petition calling on Anthem to stop lobbying against the healthcare provisions of Build Back Better plan.
United Vision For Idaho went to the state capitol to lift up the challenges of corporate money meddling in our democracy. They staged a "fat cat" laying on a mattress exploding with money being asked "How do you sleep at night?" as people with signs hammered on corporate greed. They also had a lobbyist with a money gun shooting at Uncle Sam. CBS 2: United Vision for Idaho organization plans rally at State Capital
Rights And Democracy in New Hampshire also targeted Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield with a live stream event.
HOUSING:
Citizen Action of New York's Staten Island branch joined tenants of Park Hill Houses and Stapleton houses, local activists and members of the community for a rally outside Rep. Nicole Malliotakis's (NY-11) office. SI Advance: New movement afoot on Staten Island to advocate for quality public housing
Citizen Action of New York's Southern Tier members rallied at the Home Depot in Johnson City to support fully funding public and affordable housing. ABC 34: National Day of Action rally supports Biden's Build Back Better plan
Network Delaware organized a rally at the Delaware Realtors Association joined by Delaware Working Families Party, Code Purple Kent County, Central Delaware NAACP, TP Ministries, and Delaware 32nd RD Committee.
ENVIRONMENT:
MI United held a rally against the construction of a new Ajax asphalt production facility in Flint. Community groups have been keeping a steady drum beat against the site's construction for some time, and this action is the latest in an attempt to demonstrate how communities like Flint are subject to criminal climate injustice.
The full text of the report may be found here. Statements from grassroots voices may be found here. Photos from the direct actions across the country may be found here.
People's Action builds the power of poor and working people, in rural, suburban, and urban areas to win change through issue campaigns and elections.
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Columbia President Minouche Shafik informed the campus community on Thursday that she had authorized the police to clear the encampment.
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