Rethinking Resistance to Corporate Rule

• "Citizens Over Corporations," a unique 52-page pamphlet on the history of corporate power and democratic movements in Ohio, was published in 1999 by the ‘Ohio Committee on Corporations, Law and Democracy’, a project of the Northeast Ohio American Friends Service Committee. (Send $3.50 to obtain a copy - checks to AFSC, 513 W. Exchange St, Akron, OH 44302.) Pamphlets such as this need to be researched and written for every state in the Union as a necessary first step in designing campaigns to reclaim our authority over our corporate creations.

• "CorpOrNation: The Story of Citizens and Corporations in Ohio,” a 40-minute documentary that exposes the historic corporate rise to power in Ohio, the barriers citizens have fought to create a true democracy for themselves, and detailed assessments of government influence by corporations through "corporate globalization." Spanning Ohio’s history from 1803 through present-day struggles between citizens and corporations, CorpOrNation suggests strategies for citizens to overcome current threats to citizen-led democracy and the corporate takeover of society. Available soon from our Bookstore.

• ‘Measure F: The Arcata Advisory Initiative on Democracy and Corporations’ won by 58% of the vote in November ’98 in Arcata, CA. It called for:

1) two Town Hall meetings (April and May '99) on the topic: "Can we have democracy when large corporations wield so much power and wealth under law?" - attended by about 600 residents - almost 5% of local voters; and

2) the creation of a standing committee of city council on 'Democracy and Corporations' (forming Spring 2000 after much hemming and hawing by the council) to begin to rein in the authority and privileges of large corporations doing business in Arcata.

• As part of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom's ‘Challenge Corporate Power, Assert the People's Rights’ national campaign, ten-session study groups are being formed around the country to “explore the history and roots of corporate power, examine global corporatization, decolonize our minds, and participate in democratic conversation.” Copies of study materials are available through our Resource List or downloadable from the WILPF site.