Tackling Corporate Giants

Easy Avenues for Collective Force

by Rebecca Lockhart

It goes without saying that concentrating the efforts of many is the crucial ingredient in effectively challenging the corporation. The following in-the-news actions highlight some existing avenues for effective group battles—their greatest attribute being their remarkable simplicity. 

THE NAME GAME

Molly Katchpole 
credit: Your Free Press

Drawing attention to the tried and tested old school petition, now revamped and supercharged in the digital age with social media, the Internet, and the potential for campaigns to go viral, 22-year-old Molly Katchpole of Washington D.C. put big business in its place. She successfully mobilized signatures on petitions she create at Change.org to stop two opportunistic corporate cash grabs dead in their tracks. Verizon retracted a plan to add $2 user fees to online payments after the accumulation of 165,000 signatures in just 6 hours. Bank of America also cancelled a $5 monthly user fee for the use of a debit card thanks to Katchpole’s capture of 300,000 signatures.  

While online petition mammoth Avaaz has over 10 million members worldwide and creates its own ideas for petitions based on member’s priorities (which are then sent to members who in turn pollinate their networks), Change.org allows anyone anywhere to create his or her own petition. It also has considerable information about how to make the initiative effective.

LOUD & CLEAR

In terms of actually speaking out, an extended series of multiple voices can pack a powerful punch. Similar to the recent Keystone XL Pipeline the US, the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project, another pipeline intended to expedite Canadian tar sands oil at a potentially considerable environmental cost, is being seriously challenged. There is an endless line up to the microphone with over four thousand people, some supporters but far more opponents, who have signed up to voice their concerns in community hearings.

An independent body mandated by the National Energy Board of Canada and the Minister of the Environment is assessing the environmental effects of the project and will review the application for the 1,170 km double pipeline intended to pump tar sands oil across Northern British Columbia, from Alberta to a port that will then see it sent in tankers to Asia. First Nations and nature conservationists in the area are speaking out about potential spills and the threat these pose to a pristine environment, in addition to sharing personal knowledge and personal experience about the impacts that the proposed project may have on them and their communities.

The hearings are projected to take at least 18 months, which ensures that a definitive decision will not take place anytime soon—yet again, the Canadian Oil Kings have their quest for autocracy formally challenged.

Stick People vs. Corporate Personhood

We are proud to say two of Annie Leonard's Story of Stuff videos will be featured in the upcoming new high school version of The Corporation! The project creates short, easily shareable online movies that explore some of the key features of our relationship with Stuff. They've also taken on the Citizens United ruling in this fun animated video below, which will be part of The Corporation along with their original movie.