Democracy Spring Is A Massive Protest Of Oligarchy: The Invitation Says Come Get Arrested With Me

Democracy Spring Is Underway: New Video Update, Protesters are still arriving over 300 arrests so far. Stay tuned for updates and streaming videos and more articles to come.

Democracy Spring invitations to the protest of oligarchy went out this weekend, and really caught the eye. The e-mail title was “Come get arrested with me.” For those who did not receive the e-mail, and would like to participate, the signup sheet and details can be found on their website.

Democracy Spring is a non-partisan demonstration to preserve democracy from oligarchy. Oligarchy in this case is control by corporations and wealthy individuals who are spending billions on campaign contributions, allegedly in the hopes of controlling politicians and thereby controlling U.S. government. This is not some fringe theory. President Jimmy Carter, political science professors, and many others are quite certain that the United States has already become an oligarchy. The Inquisitrhas reported on the statements, reports, and studies that have been presented as proof of oligarchy in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqla5izfjP0
The movement is supported by the AFL-CIO Union, as reported by Common Dreams. Code Pink announced on their website that they will join the protest. Also endorsing the demonstration are over 100 various political activist organizations, including Move On, United States Student Organization, RWDSU union, Demand Progress, and Other 98 Percent, just to name a few. This is a bipartisan effort, supported by many organizations both conservative and liberal. No candidates are being endorsed, only fair elections for both political parties.

The Democracy Springwill start April 2–11 with a march from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. Then from April 11–16, activists will engage in a non violent protest, sit in style, in Washington, D.C. An affiliated demonstration, Democracy Awakening, will take place April 16–18, also in Washington, D.C. This demonstration will include music, training, teaching, non violent direct action, and advocacy. As of Saturday morning, 2,291 courageous individuals have pledged to risk arrest, but there are other ways to serve in the protest. Other choices involve coming to Washington, providing support, but not risking arrest. Joining the march, with little risk, but a lot of walking, or one can volunteer as a local organizer and not attend the march or the protest in Washington, D.C. They are also seeking financial donations.

There is legal defense provided by Democracy Spring for those who do choose to risk arrest in defense of democracy. One attorney has been hired, and many more have volunteered for the effort. Attorneys are encouraged to volunteer to join the legal team, as well. Details can be found on the organization’s website.

Democracy Spring protest against oligarchy has relatively concise demands, at least compared to the otherwise comparable “Occupy Movement.” Also, unlike Occupy, there is a precise timetable for the protests, though it is conceivable that the protest could run longer than anticipated, that is not the plan. It has a beginning and an end date.

“Our collective demand to Congress is that it take immediate action to end the corruption of big money in politics and ensure free & fair elections in which every American has an equal voice. We have identified at least four reform bills that are already pending before Congress as exemplary actions that can be taken. These include proposed legislation that would implement robust small-dollar citizen-funded elections, combat voter suppression, and empower citizens with universal suffrage; it will also introduce a constitutional amendment overturning Citizens United.”

Democracy Spring supports the following legislation, and any future legislation that proposes to take big money out of politics.

“Our proposed reform bills are: the Government by the People Act & Fair Elections now Act; the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2015 & Voter Empowerment Act of 2015; and the Democracy for All Amendment.”

The leadership of Democracy Spring acknowledges that they will experience resistance, they are determined to raise awareness against oligarchy, and public support for their cause.

[Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images]