government's largess. >> sunday night author an investigative journalist talks about her book the profiteers which takes a critical look at one of the largest engineering and construction companies in the world. >> the united states government will get projects throughout the world. i think it is fine. if the american taxpayers paying for the american taxpayer should have access to information about the contracts, the amount of money, the worker safety, the political relationships. >> sunday night at 8:00 o'clock eastern on c-span q&a. [applause]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [applause] >> how are y'all doing today? awesome. i am so excited. i'm so excited. i am so energized. are you excited? so we have a couple speakers.

first i would just like to introduce you. [applause] i know. it's a pretty big deal. for those of you that don't know, the world's largest online news desk. [applause] ceo of the network in a true leader. please give it up. [chanting] [applause]

>> great to see you guys. good to see all of you out here. so i'm going to start. princeton did a study on 1800 policy positions and realized public opinion has no correlation the public policy. in other words, there was one thing that had a direct correlation the public policy, donor opinion. special interest opinion. unfortunately, that great house over there has been deeply corrupted. but all of you are here to take that house back.

because it is not there house. it is our house. all right. whose house? whose house? [chanting] that's right. so we started -- look. i started 14 years ago. i started in 2011 in new york. and the.is to fix this mess. and so what we need in this country is our birthright as americans, free and fair elections. and i cannot imagine the founding fathers not being enormously proud of you guys here. because they put it in the

constitution that we need to defend the constitution from time to time to make it a more perfect union. so they envisioned exactly this moment. in fact, they put it in article five that at some point it is likely that congress will get to corrupt so they were geniuses. they saw this very movement. some in the press are naysayers. by the way, why are they naysayers and critics? why don't they believe? because they are the establishment. so when you have got billion dollar companies to make billions of dollars for money and politics where does the money and politics go? tv ads.

do you think this tv stations will turn down billions in revenue to get our democracy back? they don't care about that. of course they are not going to be on your side. but those naysayers, here is what they don't understand. we always win. so in the short run, and we get setbacks, of course. in the short run this power and establishment went from time to time? of course. forever on the throne, forever on the scaffold, but that scaffold sway the future and it is right here. we are ready to sway the future today. [applause] so we fought for civil rights and one. thoughtful women's rights and one. only four for gay-rights we won. and when we fight to get our democracy back we're going

to win. [applause] this is the beginning of that victory. only march today it will be a victory march. so we have been under siege for a long time by the establishment. it is now time for us to put them under siege. so the 1st thing i ever set occupy was they are not toy for us anymore. we are coming for them. and here you are, and here you are coming for them right now today. [applause] one final thing for you guys. women's rights movement, absolutely impossible. they were naysayers back then, critics back then he said how in the world are you going to give women the right to vote when they can't vote in the 1st place?

it is impossible. we did that too. when they tell you today that it is impossible, don't believe them. i see you today, wonderful brothers and sisters are today. you are not discouraged. in the women's rights movement comeau what they don't tell you is it only took seven years to get that impossible amendment and it turned out that it was possible and that is exactly what we are going to do. here we are in the streets just like they did it. it is greatit is great to see all of you here. this is just the beginning. i want to ask you one more time, whose house is this? [chanting] let's go on to a victory march. [applause]

>> please join me in welcoming our next speaker to the stage, a feminist attorney, activist for social justice, a distinguished history fighting for justice to pushing for constitutional equality for women, the president of now the national organization for women. please join me. [applause] >> good morning. i'm behalf of the national organization for women who i am thrilled to be here, to welcome you to say we are working together to change our future command we know we can do it by working together. you know, the statement of purpose in our bylaws says

that now the purpose is to take action through intersection of grassroots organizing, to read societal change and build a feminist future which will include all of us. now, what do we mean exactly what we say we're going to be doingntersection of grassroots organizing? for one thing, we will not be colorblind. [applause] we will ask the question anytime the policy we are looking at, how does that impact? how does that impact my lg bt q sisters? how is that impact transgender women of color? if we are looking at any single policy we look to the margins and put the margins at the center. that is the dedication. and that is why, that is why

now is so adamant about overturning citizens united and getting money out of politics. [applause] and stopping these voter suppression laws including an amendment to the constitution of the united states say every citizen of this country is guaranteed the right to vote. so i want to tell you very specifically why that is so important for women. when you ask yourself, what are these voter suppression laws specifically doing to women? well, let's begin the analysis with women work a lifetime and unequal pay, and unequal pay, a large part of it is a ridiculously low, in fact, and poverty level minimum wage. two thirds of minimum-wage workers in the united states or women.

70 percent in the united states are women. minimum-wage, a lot of people don't no this. $2 and $0.13. very disproportionately, women of color, and their gross revenue is less than $6 because of this low minimum-wage. why get aa job? how are you going to support your family? 40 percent of families, women are the primary or sole breadwinner. when you are facing these economic injustices across the board, economic injustices that are more deeply felt by women of color, immigrant women and lg bt q women than women who

look like me, now you look at the voter suppression laws and what do you find? a key part of voter id laws. women are more likely to change the name. so it takes extra time and resources to find not only your birth certificate and very often the divorce decree to go and prove to skeptical that you are entitled to vote in this country. it is outrageous and the burden that falls disproportionately on the people with the fewest resources. we don't accept that, and we are going to change it by taking back our country. [applause] so let's look at what happens and let's be clear about how that voter suppression that into north carolina. how it gets into ohio, florida, that happens

because of money and politics. way too much money and politics. now, in theory a rich guy, in theory can use that money to help elect progressive candidates, convey? the reality is they will always use the money to elect conservatives. with the conservative legislators do, you look at what has happened comeau what happened in 20102010 and 20112012 and onto today, conservative legislators at the state and federal level are raising an abominable war on women. that is what happens to women. they arethey are determined to block the $15 minimum wage. we are determined to achieve it because it will help women, but with money and

politics you have politicians i want to blast that minimum-wage. with money and politics we have politicians that are trying to block women from accessing abortion care. one in three women will have an abortion by the age of 45. it is a comment and necessary aspect the basic reproductive health care. his conservative politicians are trying to block us from achieving access to birth control, 99 percent of sexually active women in this country utilize birth control. what does it mean when a woman can access basic reproductive health care? she can't keep that lousy job she has god. she can determine how she will manage her career, keeping the job she has, going to decide what kind of family she has been in support her family and

dignity and economic security. we must give money out out of politics because that is the only way we will begin to elect more progressive politicians who will put our policies 1st, our needs in our interest 1st. i have way overstepped my time and i apologize, but i get excited about this. we are with you. we will take our country back. thank you. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [chanting] [inaudible conversations]

[chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting]

[chanting] [chanting] [chanting] [chanting] >> awesome. so excited. the energy. excited to introduce you to more speakers. next up, works in getting money out of politics, executive director of the action network and please join me in welcoming him. [applause]

>> thank you and welcome. what is our history were not translated into action? that was actually a quote we came up for several years ago when all group of us to 30 page hunger fast. we did a 30 day fast to protest our immigration policy. is that better? we are used to being quiet and meditative. again, i welcome you people for many difference dates and spiritual traditions. people of all colors and sexualities joining together to bringing voice and action and raise awareness, bringing about an end to

corruption and big money and politics. we work together for a free and fair election which every american has an equal voice. we recognize the responsibility of government and to build the common good. justice cannot be achieved unless the rules governing the democratic process are just and fair. unless the rules are just and fair for all, the process not limited by power of money and unequal access to public media. many of you are going to risk arrest. i won't be able to join you today. i will be here next monday. i often get asked the question why, why do i

participate in civil disobedience. i guess the question of why should leaders even care about this issue? shouldn't we really just be interested, it is in the separation of church and state? and i tell people i do this because for me this is prayer. this is how i pray. i do it because this is what jesus did. when jesus turned the tables over in the temple, healed on the sabbath, he was committing an act of civil disobedience. francis get naked in the public's square to protest and equality among the people. i'm not suggesting you get naked, by the way.

we all thought it at one time. no, not a good idea. we need to rewrite our story to one of connectedness, not separation, rewrite our story as spiritual people so we have aa story that tells us that people are not considered illegal because they want to come for a better life. children are not sold into slavery so we can have cheap cell phones and coffee and chocolate. we want a story not controlled by a few wealthy people, where people's voting rights are not taken away and racism is rare and not prevalent. money has always played a key role in electoral politics.

the kind of role it plays should be the subject of regulation that is ethical. it is necessary to have policy safeguards which ensure more than just the wealthiest interest groups have a voice in the public sphere. share religious teachings that recognize each person has the gift of the creator. ..

>> >> of the voting rights justice in the ability to open and honest discussion on any issue to have a loving community is

impossible al loving community when that partisan divide in america is fuelled by private interest groups who are unaccountable and unidentifiable. although they cannot be created from corporate funding with private citizens or work to deny the right to vote. the community is not one where the wealthy voices are the only ones that are heard. the public in common good should focus on the needs of all societies. as many races more inner own voices it should be all democracies. 18 percent of registered voters across all party affiliations believe the political system is corrupt

eight and needs reform. [cheers and applause] end where the consumer goods were their throwaway. event with the success. the due to the commitment that they are not ignored.

and so the allies can be heard. which just takes one person and give it is difficult. so it is part of that revolution today. >> and have an amazing

speaker to introduce you to. to the dedicated to love the creation of non-violent civil disobedience maybe after we what a time to be alive. what a time to be alive. what a time to be alive. we're in an unprecedented time. hook echo with the democratic process of our country. that bill left is rising

people stand up in every corner of this country to say no more to the corporate castor the billionaire class. even as our voices are rising there are people that say we have of hopes millwright to be here and we are wasting our time we're asking too much to a fast effect only demanding everything that was promised u.s.. fifth love from the document that they hold so dear and great. we'll hold these rights to be self-evident that all men and women are in doubt by their creator with certain

unalienable rights. "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness". to secure their rights it is the duty of the people to abolish it. we are here to abolish said or aborting it because the constitution and told this to. we will rise up we need power in the miracles we're horsewhip -- we wanted we need it we have got to have the right now. right now.

right now. transformation. we wanted. we wanted. we need it. we needed. we have got to have it. right now. right now. right now. right now. community before corporation. and power to the people. [cheers and applause] >> also we will say a quick blessing before we continue with our program.

>>. >> we took a lot of time not eating just drinking water few years ago and talking in a tent so what him up here with me. come now you rich. year rich's have brought it in your corroded and it will be evidence against you and will eat your fire. and those they have kept back by fraud are crying out against zero to preach the

hope so let's go fourth in the earth period of all spirituality that pope francis said and would avert tradition let's do it together in and the into its aswan. aidman. -- has won. a ben. [applause] >> we have a a couple more people here we have a co-founder of the progressive campaign committee the 1 million member advocacy group. [applause] hello.

i agree with the progressive change committee with the millionaires in corporations and no more buying elections purpleheart we need to reverse and overturns a decision united. it was ready to tell congress and that we need to protect the voting rights? that is what binds us together today. for those to march from philadelphia over the last 10 days to raise your he handed you are one of them. these are the people. i've met so many of -- amazing people and some

cases is weeks ended one ks years to organize seen this event. they give so much for everything you have done. raise your hand if you are an organizer or volunteer. [cheers and applause] >> this is important because they have created a foundation released iran today. for us to get attention. to "the philadelphia inquirer" already covering just to the events of the past-- will tell the media that is here to a standing on the foundation that we created. [applause]

the marchers and organize a misheard with visuals the industry to take back democracy those who are part of this in the images that we put it on twitter or facebook or today. [laughter] to inspire others to enjoy in at -- joined us for the entire next week. >> the reason campaign finance reform and voting rights as the all-important is the key to progress of

every single issue. if we allow all americans to vote to take big money out of politics that makes our job infinitely easier to jail the wall street baker's you broke the law. taking on the big oil companies about climate change taking of the for-profit companies. the military industrial complex to impact wars tantalizing and trillions of dollars. everyone of these issues will be successful today and that is why we are here.

in to change the conversation to act on the people's agenda. for a show of force by coming here and in not going away again we're putting oxygen in the room on these issues. with legislators a result of occupy wall street with the intent of the rest. is great to see so many

armenians around here. i can think of no more important set of issues are better organized effort so let's get together for our democracy. thank you so much. [applause] how are you? i know you are live streaming in banditry been to get the message out. we want to see your pictures. please #. all love your pictures.

now we have the founder of an organization of workers for workers. to stand up for rights dignity for workers everywhere. please join me to welcome her to the stage. [applause] >> good afternoon. we're so glad to be here today. for these workers and are afraid to stand up. i am a wall more worker in the founder of our wal-mart. in to see my co-workers mistreated by wal-mart. i use my voice to fight for

the hours and we need to survive to make it a better workplace. using our voice for our center of our idea of democracy corporation is like wal-mart drag down the voices like me and my fellow associates. in we were legally fire for speaking up. wal-mart, the biggest corporation assured company controlled to regulate things like minimum-wage. wal-mart could keep wages low with the political system in the process. it uses influence to create

policy that favors them the waltons would use the money to silence us in the workplace. to fight and protect our democracy. thank you. [cheers and applause] >> tell a the to introduce you. as a progressive organizer and activist co-founder of 99 lives to recreate our democracy. he is here today.

how is everybody feeling? are you ready to take back the people's vote? king you feel that spring is here? spring is coming in and it is here. we will take back the people's vote. with me say spring is here for our democracy it is just the planet is turning because we the people have the power when we stand together and we're coming together today to say no more. are you with me? i will say just a few words that we are here because we insist of the truth that all

people are created equal. but is in just a sentence. it is something it is true in our hearts. if that is true to have an equal voice in our government. we're here to defend our freedom. because the condition of freedom if you don't have a say or participate meaningfully that someone else's your master it in this country we rule ourselves. [cheers and applause] but we're also here because we demand a future that if we don't have a democracy.

to threaten the up possibility of life and the grandchildren that are here today. tuesday to look into the eyes of your grandchildren tuesday to grow up on a planet that is capable to support life. we cannot accept for those that would represent us to say that is not even real we cannot accept that. no more. our debut is simple. we say to those were the people's representatives

cover the vast majority of the american people conservatives in independence agree that we should have the government to have an equal voice is not the big money that matters but the everyday people. for solutions in ways to solve this problem. we cannot except when they have the power they refuse to lift a finger. we are here to say we must use of power. you must take action immediately with the free and fair election to give an equal voice. do that now. [applause] i know what the pundits say that will not happen. the conventional wisdom that

nothing will happen but i submit we are not called year by whites is expedia. with the decree is to say what is just been true to those principles they claim to represent? for inaction is inexcusable. they must decide when you stand on this side of the people and on the side of democracy or big money in corruption we send a very clear message there is a political price to pay. then we go to the people's

house to bring the hopes and dreams that desperately need this government to represent the dreams of everyone in our country. we will not leave or you will send us all to jail. [applause] in and day after day. hundred said patriotic defenders go to jail is this simply doing their job to solve the problem we will send a message to the people love the country. this government must be changed to present a message to everyone we needed government represents us all. now is the time to stand up

to take a back. for the children in flint michigan. [cheers and applause] to all those in western jaime l. with this house is your house to the young men and women incarcerated from the new jim-crow in our society. in greece day to the 1% with the blood sweat in tears that we will not be taken away this country belongs to all of us. [cheers and applause] we are reaching out to everyone if you are watching a news to take back the people's house we say joining us.

the people here today have no more strength or courage did you do their new different. they have the same power that is in every heart and mind and body that is your. so take back the people's house. 88 years old the issue lot from california to washington d.c. for campaign finance reform. she was not too old you are not too old. for the police cars in the fire hoses but they were not too young. you are not too young. [applause] we know the story of undocumented young people who will risk deportation to protect migrants if they

didn't have too much to lose you don't have too much to lose. [applause] we know that we can say in some other time that when we knowledge the truth that the principles that we love that we have to of knowledge that we have to step up now because everything we care about is on the line. will you stand up? are we ready to take back? it is a because we are naive it doesn't matter there is a time in the past the big

knowledge there is a place in our hearts. into say it must be that people wearier to say in all times by our efforts. are you ready? we will say no more. it is our house for pro-democracy. our country. no more. spring is here. spring is your. spring is here. thank-you. [cheers and applause] civic after the rally protesters walked to the capital with a staged a sit-in.

several more are expected to take place this week. ♪ ♪ ♪