National Day of Fasting Mobilizes Anti-Corruption Vote

National Day of Fasting Mobilizes Midterm Anti-Corruption Vote

Grassroots Activists Fast Over Two Weeks, Dozens Join in Solidarity to Hold Candidates Accountable for Position on Money in Politics

LA, SF, NYC, Houston, Sacramento - Dozens of citizen activists with 99Rise are fasting today in solidarity with co-founder Kai Newkirk, who is 15 days into an 18-day water-only fast. Newkirk and others are completely forgoing food to mobilize voters to support candidates endorsing pro-democracy reforms, which would combat the corrupting influence of big money in politics. They are prepared to continue their fast until 28,000 people pledge to vote against corruption, or until the polls close on November 4th.

“We are fasting to call on all who believe, as we do, in a ‘one person, one vote’ democracy, where the votes of everyday people matter more than the dollars of billionaires and corporations, to take action in defense of that fundamental principle.” said Newkirk, who is urging the public to sign the group’s Democracy Voter Pledge and hold candidates accountable for their positions on democratic reform.

2014 is slated to be the most expensive midterm election in American history, with nearly 4 billion dollars spent thus far, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. And with only 40% of eligible voters estimated to actually make it to the polls, there is widespread concern that winning candidates will be representing the interests of their wealthy donors instead of those of everyday Americans.

99Rise supporters are fasting and and organizing voter mobilization events across the country today in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Houston, and Sacramento. Stephen Bass (LA) has been fasting for 11 days and Laura Rubalcaba (Sacramento) has been fasting for 9 days. People can sign the Democracy Voter Pledge at fast.99rise.org.

ends

© Scoop Media