And Now. . .
The Monahan Brothers
Walking Across the Country for Democracy
Telling audiences why he and his brother are walking across America, Laird Monahan says simply: “when I first heard about the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission on January 21, I was devastated. I was so demoralized and despondent, I almost came to tears. Then I became angry and told my wife that I couldn't sit at home any longer writing letters and signing petitions. My country was calling me back into service to defend my democracy for my children and grandchildren. She was supportive and encouraged me to do what I had to do.” For Laird, this called out for a physical sacrifice.
Shortly thereafter, Laird, now 70, decided to walk from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to the Lincoln Memorial to spread this message and talk with anyone who would listen, that the Supreme Court decision was a great threat to democracy by allowing corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money from their treasuries in elections for or against candidates and to dominate the political process.
After sharing his thoughts with his brother, Robin, 67, enthusiastically joined in the plan. Although they had hoped others would walk with them, those plans fell through. They decided to take Highway 50 and to cover about 25 miles a day in leapfrog style. For example, Laird would start walking and Robin would drive ahead a mile or two, leave the car and walk, while Laird would walk to the car and drive past Robin. So, with the blessing of their wives and families, they set off on May 16, after dipping their feet in the Pacific Ocean.
Five months later, after reaching their goal at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, they are amazed and appreciative of hospitality from strangers, all manner of opportunities to speak at events and talk with local community members and officials along the way, and meet, sometimes on very short notice, with media. You may read their daily blog at www.lairdandrobin.org
Laird and Robin grew up in Minnesota and both are Vietnam veterans who served in the Navy. Laird retired after 30-years as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes. Robin is a retired nurse, who also worked for ten years for the nonprofit organization, Wilderness Inquiry. Now, he is a stay-at-home dad. This walk, a result of their patriotic passions, has aroused an activist in each of them that here-to-fore was expressed only by putting a sign in their yard promoting their favorite candidate.
They have now set an ambitious goal for themselves; that of having every municipal governing body in Minnesota sign a resolution supporting a Constitutional Amendment to Abolish Corporate Personhood. They hope to accomplish this within the next two years, in time for the next Presidential election.
The kick-off rally for this movement will be at the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday, November 6th at 2:00PM. Move to Amend will be sending out a notice to their Minnesota members in the next few days. It is hoped that the effort of the Monahan brothers will be duplicated in other states across the country.
Walking Across the Country for Democracy
Telling audiences why he and his brother are walking across America, Laird Monahan says simply: “when I first heard about the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v Federal Election Commission on January 21, I was devastated. I was so demoralized and despondent, I almost came to tears. Then I became angry and told my wife that I couldn't sit at home any longer writing letters and signing petitions. My country was calling me back into service to defend my democracy for my children and grandchildren. She was supportive and encouraged me to do what I had to do.” For Laird, this called out for a physical sacrifice.
Shortly thereafter, Laird, now 70, decided to walk from San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park to the Lincoln Memorial to spread this message and talk with anyone who would listen, that the Supreme Court decision was a great threat to democracy by allowing corporations to spend unlimited amounts of money from their treasuries in elections for or against candidates and to dominate the political process.
After sharing his thoughts with his brother, Robin, 67, enthusiastically joined in the plan. Although they had hoped others would walk with them, those plans fell through. They decided to take Highway 50 and to cover about 25 miles a day in leapfrog style. For example, Laird would start walking and Robin would drive ahead a mile or two, leave the car and walk, while Laird would walk to the car and drive past Robin. So, with the blessing of their wives and families, they set off on May 16, after dipping their feet in the Pacific Ocean.
Five months later, after reaching their goal at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, they are amazed and appreciative of hospitality from strangers, all manner of opportunities to speak at events and talk with local community members and officials along the way, and meet, sometimes on very short notice, with media. You may read their daily blog at www.lairdandrobin.org
Laird and Robin grew up in Minnesota and both are Vietnam veterans who served in the Navy. Laird retired after 30-years as a merchant seaman on the Great Lakes. Robin is a retired nurse, who also worked for ten years for the nonprofit organization, Wilderness Inquiry. Now, he is a stay-at-home dad. This walk, a result of their patriotic passions, has aroused an activist in each of them that here-to-fore was expressed only by putting a sign in their yard promoting their favorite candidate.
They have now set an ambitious goal for themselves; that of having every municipal governing body in Minnesota sign a resolution supporting a Constitutional Amendment to Abolish Corporate Personhood. They hope to accomplish this within the next two years, in time for the next Presidential election.
The kick-off rally for this movement will be at the Minnesota State Capitol on Saturday, November 6th at 2:00PM. Move to Amend will be sending out a notice to their Minnesota members in the next few days. It is hoped that the effort of the Monahan brothers will be duplicated in other states across the country.
