By vote of 11-0, with 2 abstentions, the city of Los Angeles on Tuesday became the largest U.S. city to call for an end to all corporate constitutional rights. The City Council chambers was standing room only, as more than 30 members of the public, including myself, spoke in favor of the resolution, which had been introduced by outgoing Council president Eric Garcetti, and Councilmembers Paul Krekorian and Bill Rosendahl. Garcetti (who had just stepped off a plane from New York), Krekorian, Rosendahl all made comments favoring the resolution, as well as Councilmembers Richard Alarcon, Jose Huizar and Tom LaBonge. The effort was spearheaded by Move to Amend Los Angeles, a chapter of national Move to Amend. In addition to endorsing an end to corporate constitutional rights, the Council also endorsed MTA-LA amendments to abolish the concept that money equals speech.
After the successful vote, MTA-LA founder and co-chair, Mary Beth Fielder spoke at a press conference, flanked by Garcetti, Krekorian, Rosendahl and members of MTA-LA.
“We’re proud to be the first major city in the U.S. to take this step,” reported Move to Amend Los Angeles Co-chair Mary Beth Fielder from City Council Chambers. “This is only a first step on a long road to a constitutional amendment but if the turn-out and the enthusiasm and the eloquence shown here is any indication, we certainly have the will to succeed.”
Garcetti said the resolution would now be the city's official position on the issue of corporate constitutional rights, and be included in its lobbying efforts. Los Angeles joins a growing group of communities in the fight to revive our democracy: Madison and Dane County, Wisconsin; Boulder, Colorado; and Missoula, Montana. Now that Los Angeles has taken this bold move, it's time for other cities in Southern California, then the rest of California and the rest of the country to step up. One city I plan to work on is Culver City, since I am a member of the Culver City Democratic Club, which endorsed MTA at its general meeting last year. We can use Los Angeles' example with which to persuade smaller cities, such as Culver City.
Another important body to target for a resolution is the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, composed of five members, who oversee all of unincorporated L.A. County. My community, View Park, is in the unincorporated area. Getting the endorsement of the Board of Supes would be another major victory. As Mary Beth said, we have a lot of work to do, but with this substantial victory in the city of Los Angeles, we have the means to push even faster toward this important constitutional amendment.