In San Jose, Grannies Rage to End Corporate Rule on National Day of Action

Raging Grannies living on the San Francisco Peninsula and in the South Bay disagree with the Supreme Court's ruling on corporate personhood known as Citizens United. The San Jose Grannies helped organize a protest, and Grannies from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties performed at a rally in front of the old Court House in San Jose on January 20. Some marched on to the new Court House and continued the action, where federal police kept them under watchful eye. The San Jose Mercury reported that "the federal courthouse.. was under heavy guard."

Members of Raging Granny "gaggles" gathered despite the threat of inclement weather. One of the Grannies carried a sign that read, "Speak truth to money." Despite the need for raingear, most were dressed in "Granny wear"--hats, aprons, and shawls. One of the Grannies is a practicing lawyer, others are retired teachers, health care workers, artists and hi tech employees.

Labor leader Cindy Chavez was one of several speakers at the rally. She said that even though the Citizens United decision frees union spending, "it's not morally right."

January 20th was a day of Action sponsored by the organization Move to Amend. That group states that: We, the People of the United States of America, reject the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United, and move to amend our Constitution to firmly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.