Monday, January 18, 2010

Sweep in clean money politics: picket Joe Bruno's fundraiser tomorrow!

If you're in the Albany, New York area, take a stand for clean money politics at a picket tomorrow night outside a fundraiser for the Joe Bruno Legal Defense Fund. The picket starts at 5:30 at the Desmond Hotel in Colonie, New York, at Albany-Shaker Road off Wolf Road. Participants are asked to bring mops, brooms, and signs, the better to show that New York politics needs to sweep bribery out and clean elections in.

Bruno was convicted last month on federal charges of using his office to benefit himself. He has already spent more than $1 million he had in his campaign account to fund his legal bills.

But the fundraiser, which is being hosted by another New York Assembly member, is not just about one bad apple, say organzers.

"Joe Bruno may be the Poster Child for Corruption, but it’s not enough to convict Bruno. The contributors to Bruno’s defense fund obviously are trying to buy influence with the political machine," said Anton Konev, Albany City Councilmember.

Adds Chris Scoville, Capital District Organizer with Citizen Action of NY, “Public financing of elections would allow candidates to run competitive campaigns without taking money from special interests. This is the reform that makes all other reforms possible. If Maine, Arizona & Connecticut can have public financing of elections, why can’t New York?”

Details of this event, including a map, are online at
http://www.activistresource.org/13773

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