New Years Eve Protest

It is protest day again today; our last chance in 2011 to make a public statement about the issues we are concerned with in the Occupy Rapid City movement.  It is also very windy today and it the weather alternates between raining and snowing every so often.  The focus of our concern it centered on the Supreme Court’s decision with regard to Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission.  We still have many other concerns, but in the interest of presenting a more nationally united front, our group has agreed to focus on reversing or overcoming corporate personhood.  If there is any issue that unites public opinion it is the issue of corporate personhood and excessive financial influence it allows.

Corporations have long been able to strongly influence state and federal politics and legislation.  All it takes in South Dakota to get the influence ball rolling is to associate job creation with the satisfaction of corporate desires.  In the past, the South Dakota state legislature has ignored the will of voting public in favor of corporate interests.  Recall the various entities that wanted to use the southern Black Hills area for a dumping ground for sewage ash, solid waste, and low-level nuclear waste from more populated areas of the country.  South Dakota appears willing to sacrifice just about anything for a job and members of the state’s US Congressional team aren’t too particular about requiring proof from corporate entities making job creation claims.

On a chilly blustery day in Rapid City, the Occupiers were standing again on downtown street corners displaying signs that would encourage others to question corporate motives and methods.  In the months ahead, Occupy Rapid City members will be working to increase public awareness of the issues that adversely affect all of us.  The group continues to encourage everyone to become informed.  A banner offered observers a place to begin their search and, perhaps, their participation in positive civic activity:  http://occupyrapidcity.org/.