Martin Luther King Day Unity Walk

David Cobb at Sarasota MLK celebration

Manasota Move To Amend participated in Sarasota's Martin Luther King Unity Walk. Our local ABC station interviewed David Cobb, one of the founders of the national Move To Amend. It is shameful on this celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. that we have to begin with a statement that Black Lives Matter, said David Cobb. The news anchor portrayed Move to Amend as a nonprofit organization aiming to build a society where everyone experiences their human rights. See their coverage here.

If you haven't participated in Sarasota's annual Unity Walk, consider joining in next year. I met some folks that had recently started a new community service club. I learned what the Swedish word "lagom" means. I met a woman who grew up in Sarasota and shared memories of participating in local farmworker activism in the middle of the last century.  And along the route, we passed the opening day of the newest farmer's market in town.

Tom Neilson's Musical Satire

Last night, Sarasota was treated to a hefty dose of Tom Neilson's warm, funny, and satirical music. He played a benefit for the Sierra Club, but when he found out that Manasota Move To Amend was in the house, he sang the perfect song - Corporations Are Human.  If you haven't heard it, listen below.



Tom's current tour focuses on the power of folk music to effect social change, giving musical voice to both current and historical activism.  Thank you, Tom!

Opportunity to Influence Florida Legislation

Just in time for the 2016 session, the Florida Move to Amend Coalition has two State Memorials (Resolutions) ready to be heard by their respective Committees. SM 694 was introduced by Senator Jeff Clemens in the Florida Senate. The related HM 457 was introduced by Representative Dwight Dudley in the Florida House. On December 3rd, citizens of Florida are barraging Capitol Hill with thousands of emails and phone calls demanding action on HM457 and SM 694.


These companion bills both urge Congress to propose to states an amendment to the U.S. Constitution stating that political contributions and expenditures by corporations may be regulated by federal, state, and local governments, as well as establishing that corporations and artificial entities have no constitutional rights.


The best way to wake up our Legislators is to demand action with one united voice. Timing is everything. On December 3rd, Floridians are giving a shout out to their representatives asking them to cosponsor these bills. If you want to participate, but don't know who your representatives are or how to contact them, click here to get the info you need.

Rhana Bazzini Invited to Speak in Tampa

Rhana Bazzini, Erik Wekerle, Bob Abbenzeller, Doug Hughes

Manasota Move-To-Amend's, Rhana Bazzini, was one of four panelists discussing Pay 2 Play, an inspirational documentary about the difference one person can make to take money out of politics. This Tampa film screening and follow-up discussion was co-sponsored by the Bridge, Unity of Tampa, Connection Partners and the Tampa Bay Timebank. Erik Wekerle, a representative from Florida Wolf PAC was also on hand for the panel. And Doug Hughes - the gyrocopter pilot and Florida postman who landed on the Capitol lawn to advocate for a Congress that works for the people - also joined the panel. If you haven't seen the movie yet, check out the trailer.

City of Sarasota Passes Resolution

At a prior meeting, Manasota Move to Amend supporters used the Sarasota City Commission's public comment period to explain how Corporate Personhood is a local issue that impacts Sarasota residents. On June 15, a resolution was on the Commission agenda. And it passed, UNANIMOUSLY.

While corporations are setting the agenda on issues in our Congress and courts, We-the-People are not; for we can never speak as loudly with our own voices as corporations can with the unlimited amplification of money. This undermines our freedom and authority as citizens. Today all five Sarasota City Commissioners agree that we need to amend the Consitution to fix this. Thank you Mayor Willie Shaw, Vice Mayor Suzanne Atwell, Commissioner Liz Alpert, Commissioner Susan Chapman, and Commissioner Shelli Freeland Eddie.

Public Comment Period, Sarasota City Commission

On June 1st at 6pm, Manasota Move to Amend representatives spoke out during the public comment period of the Sarasota City Commission.  We called on our Commissioners to pass a resolution stating that Money is not Speech and Corporations are not People.  We made quite a strong impression with our blaze of red t-shirts in the audience.

Over 600 communities have passed resolutions in support of Move to Amend; 16 states have signed on; and 300 communities have actually placed it on the ballot for a vote of the people. Everywhere it has appeared on the ballot – whether it be Madison, WI, Salt Lake City, UT or the state of Montana – it has passed by an overwhelming majority. Let's add Sarasota to the list!

Citizens United Decision, 5 year Anniversary

On the fifth anniversary of the Citizens United Supreme Court Decision, Sarasota took to the streets. Five years ago, on January 21, 2010, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations are persons, entitled by the U.S. Constitution to buy elections and run our government. We, the people of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United and other related cases, and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

Coordinated and color-coordinated!

Rhana B arrives in Tallahassee

Rhana B and her fans have made it to Tallahassee. Rhana started her walk in Sarasota.  52 days and 400 miles later, she is now at the state capitol! For Rhana, it’s about making all of our votes count. There seems to be general agreement that money has corrupted our system. Our representatives are not corrupt but the system is. She reports about the final leg of her journey on her blog:

All my fears were laid to rest. I was worried that no one would show up and I’d be walking to the capitol by myself. It was wonderful to see all the familiar faces from Venice, Sarasota, Bradenton and some of the towns I passed on my way. I won’t name names as I’m sure to forget some. But everyone who has taken part in this effort has a special place in my heart. I can honestly say I love you all. I’m bad at numbers and was too excited to count everyone but there must have been 30 people who walked part of the 5 miles and then more joined us as we approached the Capitol. See the picture. We filled the steps at the old State Capitol. Lawrence Lessig walked the whole 5 miles and I got the chance to talk with him I felt like a Bobbysoxer meeting Frank Sinatra. How often does one get to meet an idol?! I’ve already mentioned the endearing John Bonifaz. Lessig was warm and friendly. David Cobb is amazing. He is such a dynamic speaker. They were all so comfortable to be with. 

The media were there and we were all interviewed. 

Then we were off to the Unitarian Universalist Church for a pot luck lunch followed by a wonderful performance by Barbara Bates Smith and Jeff Sebens of  Go Granny D. A perfect way to end the day. 

Then it was all over, well, this part of the project was over. I have a feeling it won’t end here. Stay tuned……..

In Granny D's Footsteps, Day 9

Rhana B is walking for from Sarasota to Tallahasse, Florida.  Rhana is walking to call attention to the propositions that 1) Money is not free speech and 2) Corporations are not people.  Rhana B is keeping us up-to-date with her website, In Granny D's Footsteps. It's Day 9 on Rhana's walk and she is checking in:

I was back on the Pinellas Trail. I don’t usually get spooked but there was something about this section that made me feel quite uneasy. It was an overcast morning. There were trees and dense bushes on either side. Not a soul in sight. Perhaps it was because someone said there had been several incidents on the trail and someone had been murdered. Just as these dark thoughts crossed my day9 Dalemind. I heard my name being called. Turned around and was quite relieved to see Dale who had come to walk with me. She walked with me until I turned onto Route 19. I walked the rest of the way by myself. 

A short while later a car pulled in front of me. The young woman driving said she had to turn around to see what my sign was all about. I have a sign that says walking to tally on the front and the back. She was delighted by the idea. She even suggested I have something on my website that she could print out and give to all her friends. We talked a bit more and she drove off and I walked off. She wanted to give me a lift but I told her that would be cheating. 

A little later I gentleman on a bike stopped. He was from Kenya and was very well versed on the issues of the day. We talked for almost an hour. He too was supportive of my mission and promised to spread the word.

Through hot days and cold days, through rain and sweat, Rhana has been walking to raise awareness about the need for systematic change in how this country operates.  Go Rhana!

Arlene Sweeting on Retaining Our Democracy

At the ripe age of 81, Rhana Bazzini has decided to walk over 400 miles to talk about getting money out of politics. She is walking across the Sunshine State from Sarasota to Tallahassee, and people are energized to support her. Arlene Sweeting organized a kickoff event for Rhana. Arlene speaks eloquently on the subject of losing our democracy.