Occupy Poky Presents Resolution To City Council

Occupy Pocatello is jumping on a national initiative to create a Constitutional amendment overturning a Supreme Court ruling that gave corporations the same rights as individuals when it comes to making political campaign contributions. That all happens just as legislators in Boise debate whether or not the group can actually continue to protest on state ground.

Occupy Pocatello was given a notice from Idaho State Police last week that, if the bill passes, it will have to give up its spot and find a new place to protest.

“Not surprised. We’re all in the same boat one way or the other anyway,” said occupier John Bischoff.

Bischoff is happy that Pocatello House members have voted against the bill, and he’s optimistic about what will happen in the Senate.

“The Senate wants to amend it, and the first thing they want to do is remove the emergency clause. And if they remove the emergency clause, that means that the bill doesn’t take affect until almost July,” he said.

On April 12, Occupy Pocatello’s current agreement with the city ends, so it might need to find a new spot then, anyway. One thing is clear, it definitely is not going anywhere.

Occupiers passed a resolution to Pocatello City Council members last Thursday. The group is hoping to bring the information in the resolution to everyone on its weekly public access show.

Occupy wants the council to sign a resolution that says the city supports an amendment to reverse the ruling of “Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission.”

Gene Whitworth got his degree in political science at the age of 57, and didn’t expect to use it like this.

“You name me any major problem in this country right now, and I can boil it down to money and politics for you,” Whitworth said.

The occupiers requested a hearing with the city council to discuss the resolution. If enough cities around the country jump on board, they could help create real change, Whitworth said.

“Start on a local level, work it up to some sort of national forum in the long run to create the 28th amendment to the Constitution,” he said.

Council member Steve Brown said it’s up to the mayor as to whether or not the resolution will actually show up on the agenda. The resolution could split the council in a vote, Brown said.

In the case of a tie, the mayor would cast the final vote.