Lawrence Lessig, Catherine Crier to Headline Independence Day Rally in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA--(Marketwire - Apr 19, 2012) - Today, the 99% Working Group (www.the99declaration.org) and Rootstrikers (www.rootstrikers.org) announced that the July 2-4, 2012 Philadelphia convention, known as Continental Congress 2.0, will conclude in front of Independence Hall with closing ceremonies featuring Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, former judge Catherine Crier and other prominent speakers. An unveiling of a Petition for Redress of Grievances, crafted by hundreds of delegates from around the nation will be the focus of the rally. Lessig and Crier, civic activists and national leaders in the effort to address the corrupting influence of wealth on U.S. politics and government, are expected to remind the delegates that drafting a petition is only the first step and charge them with responsibility for taking their words and using them as the basis for action. "We're honored and excited to have them with us," said Dan Franco, an event organizer, speaking of Lessig and Crier. "They're among the few people of national stature who have been willing to stand up for ordinary people and denounce the corruption and tyranny of big money." Continental Congress 2.0 will meet in Philadelphia from July 2nd through 4th, putting the finishing touches on a proposed Petition that's been drafted, debated, and discussed for months on the Internet. "After reading Larry Lessig's book, Republic Lost: How Money Corrupts Congress -- and a Plan to Stop It, which discusses these issues," said Dawn Hale, who is running for Delegate, "I feel like I'm not alone. So many people are apathetic. So many are convinced that change is impossible and that money always wins. Lessig reminds me that the pessimists are wrong." Working from an original list of 20 points cobbled together on the Brooklyn Bridge and in Zucotti Park during the first heady days of Occupy Wall Street, online activists have honed the document down to its essence, and will hold an unprecedented Internet election in early June organized by Votenet Solutions, Inc. (www.votenet.com) to choose hundreds of delegates for a marathon final drafting session and ratification vote on Independence Day. They'll then march to Independence National Historical Park, present the final product of their labors, and celebrate the First Amendment. Crier and Lessig will help them put their work in historical perspective and urge them to take the necessary next steps. Crier has delivered a powerful rallying cry in her new book, Patriot Acts -- What Americans Must Do to Save the Republic. "I've looked up to Catherine Crier since the very first time I heard her speak," said Kian Barabi, another Delegate candidate. "After three days of working to put my hopes and dreams down on paper, in a document the First Amendment says the government has to pay attention to, hearing her in person will lift me up. It'll lift us all up." To vote in this historic online election or run as a delegate to Continental Congress 2.0, visit www.the99declaration.org and sign up to re-boot American democracy.

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