Hands Across The Sand, Englewood Beach

Last weekend in Sarasota County, folks came together at Englewood Beach. And they were not an isolated group; they joined thousands around the world to speak out against dirty energy industries.

In 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran into a reef in Prince William Sound. The resulting oil spill devastated the nearby town and ecosystem. Just twenty one years later during the Deep Horizon spill, BP took a page from Exxon's playbook. They dramatically underestimated the size of the spill, downplaying all aspects. And they capped liability right at the beginining.

The underlying crisis, it seems, is a crisis of democracy. Corporations have become so powerful that our government isn’t able to regulate them sufficiently to keep such disasters from occuring. And when such inevitable accidents do happen, government is unable to hold these corporations accountable.

But people are speaking out. Hands Across the Sand formed in 2010 in response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. It has grown into an international movement. Every year, people come together to join hands, forming symbolic barriers against spilled oil and to stand against the impacts of other forms of extreme energy.

Sarasota Marches Against Monsanto

Monsanto produces the world’s top selling herbicide. They make genetically modified seeds, created to withstand the chemicals they produce. Several of their factories are now toxic Superfund sites.

Yesterday, Sarasota and dozens of other cities worldwide participated in the March Against Monsanto. The folks protesting demanded that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) be labeled. They marched down 1st Street, heading over to the Bayfront. Under the Unconditional Surrender sculpture, they held signs and chanted. Cars honked in support.

But it's how Monsanto uses their size and power that makes them such a prime target. They get seed dealers to not stock many of their competitors products. When licensing their patented genetically engineered traits to seed companies, they restrict the seed companies’ ability to combine Monsanto’s traits with those of their competitors. And, as has been widely publicised, farmers who plant Monsanto seeds are forbidden from saving and replanting their own seeds. Yet, to date, U.S. laws have not put an end to these practices. That comes as no surprise, since they spend millions lobbying the U.S. government every year. Not too many companies so clearly reflect the harm that can come from corporate power and their political spending.

Aiming for the Manatee County Commission

Organizer, Jaime Canfield

Approximately 30 people attended the Manatee Unitarian Universalist Potluck in Bradenton to learn more about Manasota Move to Amend's efforts to build a movement strong enough to amend the Constitution to end corporate personhood and allow the government to regulate campaign spending. Arlene Sweeting gave an overview of the history of Move to Amend in Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Then Jaime Canfield gave a detailed explanation of plans to present a resolution to the Manatee County Commissioners. Many Occupy Bradenton members were in attendance. The Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship is one of 14 local groups that have endorsed Move to Amend.  As Jaime says, "Only by building a coalition of like minded groups do we have a chance of success."

Passion & Purpose at First-Ever MTA National Leadership Summit

Move to Amend Affiliates from across the nation converged on Washington DC for the National Leadership Summit.  Two dedicated volunteers from the Manasota affiliate attended.  Here is their report.

Kindra Muntz and Arlene Sweeting represented the Manasota affiliate at the first ever Move to Amend National Leadership Summit this past weekend in Washington, DC. The passion and purpose of the National Leadership Team was inspiring - as well as the work being done in affiliates across the country.  In Washington State, they collected 336,000 signatures to get Move to Amend on the ballot this Fall, and it looks like it will be on the ballot in California too!   Participants learned how to lobby more effectively, spent time visioning a more democratic future, and heard from allied groups about how to build relationships with people of color communities.  The workshops were engaging and participatory with many people getting to take on leadership roles.

Due to the death of Florida activist Ilene Singer, Broward County sent Moqtadir Naim to represent them. Kindra and Arlene teamed up with Moqtadir for Lobby Day and dropped in on his Congressmen - Alcee Hastings and Ted Deutch. They also met with staff from the offices of Rep. Tom Rooney, Rep. Vern Buchanan, and Sen. Bill Nelson to encourage them to sponsor HJR48 - the We the People Amendment.