By Carolyn Ulenhake Walker

We donned black garments and black veils and went down to the capitol to mourn the loss of our democracy on January 21, the fifth anniversary of the Citizens United ruling giving corporations First Amendment rights of free speech.

Some 20 of us from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom and Move To Amend, Des Moines, demonstrated our opposition to the ruling that equated money as free speech  The event was covered by the Des Moines Register

As we walked among the legislators and veterans (a special day for veterans) through the halls of our capitol carrying our signs and walking in silence, we received thumbs up, thanks, and even some snubs. It is however amazing how many people don’t know much about Citizens United. So much education of the public is needed. Our funeral march lasted about 45 minutes. It truly was a “sad” day!

The Nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics says that with no transparency in the giving of this big money, lots of money never gets counted. Thom Hartmann has said on his program on Free Speech TV that all figures point to $4 billion spent just on the midterm elections! Is it any wonder that close to 80% of Americans think we need to get rid of the big money in our elections? 

Did we change the world? Maybe a smidgeon! Did we empower ourselves to do something about the crisis of our Democracy? Yes! We will probably be doing it again soon.   Contact Des Moines WILPF wilpf.dsm@gmail.com for more on our work.

Photo: Protesters at the Capitol Rotunda marched to mourn the Citizens United decision anniversary. Photo by Jan Corderman.