A handful of demonstrators picketed outside the federal courthouse in Central Islip on Friday morning to protest a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized unlimited corporate spending in election campaigns.
The rally, which included some Long Islanders affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street movement, was part of a nationwide day of protest timed to coincide with second anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Critics argue the controversial ruling gives too much power to big business over the election process by allowing unlimited corporate spending in political campaigns.
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“People need to get involved and get engaged, because if we don’t get involved our voices will further be diminished,” said organizer Lauren Carmichael, holding a sign that read “End Corporate Rule,” as a small American flag waved outside her jacket pocket in the frigid morning air.
Activists across the country were expected to demonstrate in 100 cities and gather signatures for a petition to gain support for a constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling. The day of protest started off quietly, according to reports, with just several hundred demonstrators nationwide.
Carmichael huddled with a small pack of demonstrators fighting the blistering cold as they discussed the landmark Citizens United decision that they believe limits the voice of everyday Americans. The group was dwarfed by the massive Alfonse M. D’Amato United States Courthouse.
Some pointed to how the ruling spawned so-called Super PACs, or political action committees independent from political campaigns that can raise unlimited sums of money mostly used for advertising in support of candidates of their choosing.
American voices are “drowned out,” said Carmichael, adding that the nation is now seeing the “true result” of the 2010 ruling just as Super PACs unleash waves of TV ads in the presidential election campaign. Demonstrators said they are concerned about the profound influence corporations are having on elections as a result.
Carmichael said many government policies benefit only “the 1 percent,” not “our needs,” adding that issues such as the housing crisis, the banking system and climate change need to be addressed.
The Long Island protesters were expected to rally through 5 p.m. Friday, despite the strong winds and freezing temperature.
Stephen Lupo, a 50-year-old postal worker from Shirley who called in sick from work to demonstrate outside the courthouse, said his fellow protesters face an uphill battle in gaining enough influence for an amendment.
“I don’t have a billion dollars to advertise on commercials,” he said, holding a large sign that emphasized his message. “The only way we’re going to do this is with boots on the ground.”
Dana Sausa, a 17-year-old high school student who was homeless before a friend gave her a place to live, said she came to the protest to help raise awareness of the issue.
“This case bothers me so much because it’s just another act that takes us further away from the republic,” Sausa said.
She said she was worried that corporations can funnel as much money as they want “while people who I can actually sit down and have dinner with, their voices don’t count anymore.”
