Corporations get ‘married’

Target and Wal-Mart were joined in holy matrimony Thursday afternoon.

Members of the Indiana Public Interest Research Group at IU (INPIRG) began efforts to overturn the 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United v. Federal Elections Committee. Passed in 2010, the case established that the First Amendment prevents the government from restricting political expenditures by corporations and unions.

The 3-hour event took place in Read Center’s center lounge.

Elizabeth Himeles, INPIRG’s campus organizer, said the Citizens United cases gave corporations the right to spend money as if they were people.

The political activists staged their corporate wedding to demonstrate how they thought the 2010 decision unfairly gave human rights to companies.

“Events like this show how silly it is to say that corporations are people,” Himeles said. “They can’t get married, we can’t put them in jail, and they’re not individuals.” 

Donning hand-made costumes, the INPIRG team approached individuals and gathered signatures. By the end of the afternoon, members had 89 people sign their petition.
At the end of this semester, INPIRG plans to send the petition to Rep. Todd Young, R-9th District, Himeles said. 

Freshman Taylor Hurt, the group’s outreach coordinator, said she passed out invitations across campus to inform students of the event. By incorporating the wedding component of the event, Hurt said students were likely to pay attention, since many aren’t interested in politics.

According to the organization’s website, INPIRG’s  efforts range from ending hunger and homelessness to registering students to vote.

Thursday’s event was part of the group’s ongoing Democracy campaign.

Iris Shen, a freshman volunteer, learned about INPIRG through a presentation in one of her classes.

“I’m excited to wear the Wal-Mart costume and get more involved in the group, because I just joined,” Shen said.

With more than 130 volunteers and 50 interns, INPIRG offers students passionate about politics opportunities to get involved and make a difference.

Himeles said the corporate wedding was the first of many events this semester directed at overturning the Citizens United case.

“Without stopping the flow of money in politics, Americans can’t vote in a way that allows our country to make progress on any issues,” Himeles said.