Video Urges People to Take Action and Express Their Opinions about Reversing Decisions like Citizens United

WASHINGTON – What does it take for a video to go viral? Comedians Lee Camp and Negin Farsad have created a viral video about viral videos in an effort to educate Americans about what happens when big money mixes with politics. The video was this week’s winner in the Democracy For All Video Challenge, which encourages people to speak out in support of a constitutional amendment to get big money out of politics. The Democracy For All Video Challenge, spearheaded by Say No To Big Money and People For the American Way, selects a different best video every week from submissions made by people across the country.

The video, created by comedians Lee Camp and Negin Farsad, pokes fun at what it takes for a video to go viral, showing everything from a cute kitten and baby to an exploding soda bottle, with guest appearances including ice cream icons Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield (better known as Ben & Jerry) and Katrina vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation. The underlying message is the importance of preserving our democracy and removing big money from politics.

All 14 of the weekly winning videos will be judged by a panel that includes Michael Moore, Academy Award-winning filmmaker; Norman Lear, legendary television producer and founder of People For the American Way; and Kathleen Turner, advocate and Academy Award-nominated actress. The grand prize winner will be announced Dec. 16.

"Money in politics is one of the most crucial issues of our time,” said Camp. “Everything you and I care about comes back to money in politics; we must change this system before it's too late."

The video can be viewed at http://democracyforall.com/entries/its-viral-the-movement-to-overturn-citizens-united-swamps-the-internet/. All of the winning videos to-date are available to view at www.democracyforall.com/winners. People can enter the video challenge by submitting 30-90 second videos between now and Dec. 2. Full details are available at www.DemocracyForAll.com.

“We felt the concept of creating a viral video about viral videos was very original,” said Jeff Haggin, president of Say No To Big Money which created the video challenge. “Online videos have become a way for people to receive information and form opinions about important issues of the day, and we are hoping to embrace this to inform the American public about the importance of passing the Democracy For All amendment.”

The Democracy For All Video Challenge was created by Say No To Big Money and People For the American Way to tap into the creative potential of people in the United States who support a constitutional amendment that would allow for reasonable limits to be set on money in elections. A panel of judges selects the most impactful videos with $1,000 being awarded to the best video each week. At the conclusion of the video challenge, five best in category videos will be awarded $5,000 each, with $25,000 being awarded to the best overall video. Rather than hire an advertising agency to produce the spots, the sponsor organizations developed the Video Challenge to enable the true voice of Americans to be heard and give people across the country a chance to earn money for their efforts.

The Democracy For All Amendment, currently being considered by Congress with 140 cosponsors in the House and 41 supporters in the Senate, would overturn decisions such as Citizens United, the 2010 Supreme Court case that paved the way for unlimited political spending by corporations and the super wealthy. 

People For the American Way (PFAW) is dedicated to making the promise of America real for every American. That means equality. Freedom of speech. Freedom of religion. The right to seek justice in a court of law. The right to cast a vote that counts. The American Way. Our vision is a vibrantly diverse democratic society in which everyone is treated equally under the law, given the freedom and opportunity to pursue their dreams, and encouraged to participate in our nation’s civic and political life. More information is available at www.PFAW.org.

Say No To Big Money is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation for the public benefit with the mission of supporting the ratification of the Democracy For All Amendment that will regulate campaign contributions. Say No To Big Money is nonpartisan and does not promote or take sides on any political issues nor endorse candidates or elections. More information is available at www.SayNoToBigMoney.com.

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