WASHINGTON (PNN) - April 10, 2016 - People will rally at Columbus Circle in front of Union Station and then march to the Capitol, hoping to arrive at 12:00 noon on Monday. Over 3,000 people have pledged to risk arrests during the week, including activists Mark Ruffalo, Gaby Hoffman, Lawrence Lessig, Cenk Uygur, Zephyr Teachout, Umi Selah, Frances Moore Lappe, Ben Cohen, Medea Benjamin, and The Yes Men.
During the sit-in, organizers said they would coordinate call-in days, online petitions, Twitter storms, and local solidarity actions. The first day is for everyone, followed by themed days for the rest of the week oriented towards senior citizens, youth, and students, as well as racial justice and labor solidarity movements. The event will culminate with Climate Justice Day on April 16.
There are four different bills that are on the table now that would change the way elections are funded and overturn Citizens United, and that would protect the right to vote,” said Kai Newkirk, a spokesman for 99Rise while describing the reforms they would like to see Congress act upon.
Democracy Spring then becomes Democracy Awakening from April 16 to 18, which will entail a weekend-long series of teach-ins, a rally, a march, and acts of civil disobedience organized by Public Citizen, with more than 260 organizations involved.
Workshops will involve discussions about attacks on unions, voting rights, campaign finance laws, and criminal justice reform. A march and rally at the Fascist Police States of Amerika Capitol building is scheduled for April 17, and a day of direct action is planned for April 18.
