A Corporation Running for Congress: The Story of Murray Hill, Inc.

Event Date: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 7:00pm - 8:00pm

Taking place at:
UW - Madison Law School
975 Bascom Mall, Rm. 5246
Madison, WI

An Event to Address Expanded Corporate "Rights" in Elections

A Corporation Running for Congress?

You are invited to an event in Madison responding to the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision to expand the "rights" of corporations to influence elections and public policy.

As you know, the Center for Media and Democracy has been fighting this decision since before it was even issued. In the past 14 months, the Center has created a clearinghouse for information on the harmful effect on our democracy of allowing corporations to spend unlimited money from their vast treasuries to sway elections and without adequate disclosure. Just this month, the Center filed a legal brief before the Wisconsin Supreme Court opposing efforts by the oil billionaire David Koch's group, "Americans for Prosperity," to block new rules that would have required more public disclosure by groups like his running so-called "issue" ads to sway voters.

On the one-year anniversary of the Citizens United decision, the Center co-sponsored events in DC spearheaded by the Coffee Party and the Backbone Campaign to raise awareness of these issues. We also joined in the rally in Rancho Mirage, the location of an annual Koch strategy session, to highlight the influence the Koch brothers are having on public policy, including the attendance at a prior Koch brother event of Justice Clarence Thomas, who was one of the five men on the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of expanded corporate rights.

Through these efforts, the Center has met with Erica Hensal, who decided to raise public awareness of the absurdity of the ruling by running his corporation, Murray Hill, for Congress. The Center is pleased to help bring Eric and Murray Hill to Wisconsin in the midst of public debate over the power of corporations in influencing radical proposals in the state.

The event in Madison is being spearheaded by Central Wisconsin Move to Amend. Here is their invitation:

"Back in the day, corporations could only influence politics with high-paid lobbyists and backroom deals. But now, thanks to the Supreme Court and its Citizens United decision, corporations are "persons" too and have constitutional rights. So shouldn't they be able to take the final step, and run for public office?"

"Well, that's just what Murray Hill, Inc. decided to do. Please join us this Tuesday in Madison and hear the story of Murray Hill, Inc.'s run for Congress, as told by its campaign manager and designated human representative. All interested humans and corporations are welcome to attend."

The event features:

Eric Hensal, President of Murray Hill, Inc. and "Designated Human Representative"
William Klein, Campaign Manager
Kaja Rebane, Moderator