Help End Corporate Personhood through Community Organizing

by Megan Wade Antieau

Published May 17, 2009 @ 11:43PM PT

Are you wondering how you can get involved in the work of challenging corporate power, and more specifically, of ending the legal doctrine of corporate personhood?

If you are, I'd like to invite you to attend an event specifically aimed at training citizens to do community organizing on these issues: the "Community Organizing for Deep Democracy" retreat.

Here's the recent press release for the event:

Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County will host its annual training and retreat, "Community Organizing for Deep Democracy," August 7-9 at their headquarters in Eureka, CA. The yearly event brings together organizers and leaders from communities across the country to learn and consider new strategies for systemic change and democracy-building in the movement for social justice.

The weekend involves historical analysis of both the role of people's movement in the United States and the legal structures that shape the distribution of power, with special attention paid to role of the corporation and the legal doctrine of corporate personhood. This historical basis is paired with anti-oppression activities, organizing training, and discussion of new models and solutions for successful social change.

This exploration draws on Democracy Unlimited's own work, which has included the groundbreaking Humboldt County legislation that banned non-local corporations from donating to local elections. Attention will also be given to their ongoing community building efforts to strengthen democratic, sustainable local food and economic systems.

"The Deep Democracy workshop has become a turning point in my organizing efforts," said Courtney Childs, a past participant and community organizer from Corvallis, Oregon. "The historical perspective, the tremendous support for each of us participants, and the focus on rights-based organizing have enabled me to influence others quite positively."

"Our goal is to see every participant leave with the knowledge, skills, networks and tools they need to mobilize their own community," said Kaitlin Sopoci-Belknap, Executive Director of Democracy Unlimited.

Registration for the retreat is due by July 1. Cost is on a sliding scale of $250-400. Those interested in participating can find more information or register by calling 707.269.0984, emailing info@duhc.org, or by accessing the registration form at http://duhc.org/deepDemocracy.html.

Democracy Unlimited of Humboldt County is a grassroots organizing group based in Eureka, CA. They design and implement grassroots strategies that exercise democratic power over corporations and governments. They seek to create a truly democratic society by provoking a non-violent popular uprising against corporate rule in Humboldt County that can serve as a model for other communities across the United States.