Around the country, support is growing for a constitutional amendment that would clearly state that constitutional protections and civil rights are for natural persons only, not for fictitious “corporate persons.”  On December 6, Los Angeles became the largest of dozens of cities in the United States that have passed resolutions calling for a constitutional amendment that would assert that corporations are not entitled to constitutional rights, and that money is not the same as free speech. The LA City Council vote was unanimous.

Local groups are gathering steam on this issue as well. The first two meetings held in Bass Lake and Coarsegold, drew groups of enthusiastic supporters with many questions.  suggestions and willingness to assume responsibility for limited tasks of their choosing.

The December 13th gathering will feature a Web Cast presentation by Jim Hightower, who has been called “America’s Number One Populist.”  He is a national radio commentator, writer, public speaker and author who “has spent three decades battling the Powers That Be on behalf of the Powers That Ought To Be - consumers, working families, environmentalists, small businesses, and just-plain-folks.”  Time will be scheduled to plan how our local community will participate in nationally coordinated actions in January 2012, to observe the second anniversary of the Citizens’ United decision.

National sponsors include Public Citizen, Move to Amend, People for the American Way, Free Speech for People, and Common Cause.  Background information about Citizens United and the call for a Constitutional Amendment can be found at http://www.democracyisforpeople.org or at http://www.pfaw.org/GovernmentByThePeople.

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Fresno Naturalization Ceremonies schedule for December 2011 - April 2012

Thursday, April 12, 2012......... 9:15 am - 12:15 pm (CANCELLED)
Thursday, March 15, 2012....... 9:15 am - 12:15 pm
Thursday, February 23, 2012... 9:15 am - 12:15 pm
Thursday, January 12, 2012.... 9:15 am - 12 noon
Monday, December 12, 2011... 2:45 pm - 5:15 pm

Come on out and help register new voters in Fresno!

The more volunteers, the more people we can register. Bilingual people are encouraged to volunteer, especially for Spanish, Punjabi and Hindi.

Please contact Linda Garcia Traynor, Vice Chair, Fresno County Democratic Central Committee and FCDCC Chair, Voter Registration Efforts at (559) 435-7520 for more details and to volunteer. Training is required.

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CDP/DFA Campaign Training

In 2011, the California Democratic Party is proud to partner with Democracy For America to bring their expertly done and thorough Campaign Academy to California. The DFA Campaign Academy's mission is to train activists in the skills and strategies to manage successful campaigns. The 2-day intensive training features experienced campaign professionals who will lead sessions in voter contact, fundraising, communications, on-line organizing and much more. There will be at least 16 hours of interactive workshops which will empower activists with the skills to win in 2012 and beyond.

We are holding the Trainings in the following 2 locations.
Stanislaus/Merced County   12/03 - 12/04  Modesto Junior College West Campus Mary Stuart Rogers Student Learning Center
Santa Barbara County         12/10 - 12/11  Santa Barbara City College 

For more information and to RSVP go HERE.

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PRESSRELEASE December 5, 2011, REBECCA MARTINEZ, Madera County Clerk-Recorder & Registrar of Voters announced today that in accordance with the provisions of the Elections Code of the State of California, an election will be held in Madera County on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 for the following offices: (click HERE for list)

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December 2011 Oakhurst Democratic Club Meeting, Saturday, December 3rd, 9:00AM, Ol' Kettle Restaurant, 40530 Hwy 41. Guest Speaker: Kamal Abu-Shamsieh, Director of the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno, "Demystifying Islam: An Interactive Discussion with an American Muslim" Public invited.  559.658.2342

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CDP Pre-primary Candidate Endorsement Regional Conferences are
Saturday-Sunday, January 21-22, 2012 For details click HERE.

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Oakhurst Democratic Forum at the River Creek Golf Course in Ahwahnee
Saturday, January 21, 2012 "The Corporation - Are Corporations Sociopaths?", PLUS Post-Viewing Discussion  Dinner: 5:00PM - $10.00  ADVANCE PURCHASE ONLY Film and discussion:  6:30PM (free) Info and tickets call 559-658-2342

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Defend Public Education! — RSVP today
Thursday, January 26, 2012, 5:30 p.m. StudentsFirst founder Michelle Rhee will be in Fresno to talk about her priorities in education. RSVP now to stand up for our commitment to public education at this town hall meeting. The meeting is hosted by StudentsFirst and the California Mayors Education Roundtable with Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Rhee. The event is open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP HERE. For more info, contact Shane McLoud at smcloud[at]studentsfirst[dot]org