The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) is coming to Texas to mess with the American people, and wine and dine politicians to push its secretive corporate agenda on us all.
Use the resources below to learn more about ALEC, dig deeper into their pay-to-play operations, get an updated schedule of events at their Annual Meeting in Dallas starting on July 30th and take action against their dirty politics that pads corporations’ bottom lines at the public’s expense!
Texas Legislators Involved in ALEC (PDF)
What is ALEC?
For decades, the American Legislative Exchange Council has been at the forefront of promoting “pay-to-play” politics that have resulted in greater inequality, fewer rights, and less long-term security for working people, all in the name of political power and corporate profits
Checkout the resources below to learn more about this dangerous, secretive group and its outsized influence.
Dig Deeper
The articles above are just scratching the surface. Use the resources below to dig deeper and learn even more about ALEC’s effect on legislatures across the country.
The Center for Media and Democracy’s ALECExposed database of bills and in-depth analysis.
Common Cause’s whistleblower complaint and formal challenge of ALEC’s tax exempt status.
What’s Happening Now
Wednesday, July 30
8:00 am | All Coalition Partners and Volunteers arrive at the Community Brewery for duty, 1530 Inspiration Drive, Dallas. Unlimited free parking. |
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | “Don’t Mess With Texas, ALEC” Rally; meet at Community Brewery, 1530 Inspiration Drive, Dallas, TX. Unlimited free parking. Buses will provide transportation to/from rally. Contact: jobswithjusticetexas@gmail.com. |
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | “Don’t Mess With Texas, ALEC” Panel Discussion with National and local experts on Money in Politics, Community Brewery, 1530 Inspiration Drive, Dallas, TX. Unlimited free parking. Contact: jobswithjusticetexas@gmail.com. |
5:00 pm | “Showdown at the Ranch!” Unwelcome ALEC to Texas! Don your western duds and join the CodePINK Posse to round up corporate criminals and ludicrous-law-loving legislators as they wine & dine at ALEC’s “Texas Welcome Reception.” There’ll be a Texas-sized Special Effect you won’t want to miss! Eddie Deen’s Ranch, 944 S. Lamar, Dallas. Contact: jharris866@aol.com |
9:00 pm | “Don’t Mess With Texas, ALEC” demonstration with the North Texas Light Brigade. Wear dark clothing, if possible. In front of Hilton Anatole Hotel, 2201 N. Stemmons Freeway. Contact: lindacooke@att.net |
Thursday, July 31
10:00 am | “Rolling Rally to Round Up ALEC” with the CodePINK Posse – on & off Dallas Area Rapid Transit, stopping at key locations to rally, pass out flyers, etc. Meet at Market Center DART Station, 4301 Harry Hines Blvd. Bring $5 for an all-day rail pass. Contact: jharris866@aol.com |
12:30 pm | Lunch downtown |
2:30 pm | “Hoodies Up!” People’s Fashion Show and Demonstration for the 3:00 Neiman Marcus fashion show for ALEC attendees. “Fashion can get you killed!” Stand Your Ground…brought to you by ALEC! Hoodies provided. At Neiman Marcus, 1618 Main St, Dallas. Contact: dannapyke@sbcglobal.net |
7:30 pm | ***“Money in Politics and Its Impact on Civil and Human Rights” A panel of national and local experts will trace the impact of Money in Politics and the resultant attacks on our sovereign American democracy by ALEC, Citizens United via the U.S. Supreme Court, and now, by Multinational Corporations via “Free (NOT ‘Fair’) Trade” agreements, like the Trans-Pacific ‘Partnership’ (TPP). Co-sponsors include the Embrey Human Rights Program at SMU, Texas MoveOn, CodePINK Dallas, NTxVFP, Dallas Peace Center. Location:Dallas Hall, Southern Methodist University, 3225 University Blvd. Contact: moveonsteph@gmail.com. |
10:00 pm | “TEXpose ALEC” demonstration with the North Texas Light Brigade. Wear dark clothing, if possible. Location TBA. Meet at the Bush Library, SMU. Contact: jharris866@aol.com |
Friday, August 1
12:00 Noon | ***“Faithful Friday: ALEC and the Call to Action from Dr. King to Moral Mondays.” Join faith leaders and people of all faith traditions, or none, whose hearts are deeply troubled by what we see in our country to bring their passion for justice back into the public square and reclaim the “fierce urgency of now!” Hosted by Texas MoveOn. Co-sponsors include CodePINK Dallas, NTxVFP, Dallas Peace Center, Mothers Against Police Brutality. Location TBA. Contact: moveonsteph@gmail.com |
***Please check this schedule before leaving for events for further info or last-minute changes. All events listed are peaceful and nonviolent.
Speakers for Thursday Panel, “Money in Politics and Its Impact on Civil and Human Rights”
A panel of national and local experts will trace the impact of Money in Politics and the resultant attacks on our democracy by ALEC, Citizens United via the U.S. Supreme Court, and now, by Multinational Corporations via “Free (NOT ‘Fair’) Trade” agreements, like the Trans-Pacific ‘Partnership’ (TPP).
Nick Surgey, Director of Research, Center for Media & Democracy
City and County activities through the NEW American City/County Exchange
Rep. Chris Taylor, Wisconsin State Representative, How ALEC works in State legislatures
Jay Reistenberg, Common Cause USA, Suit against ALEC to challenge their 501 (c)(3) status
Madeleine Crozat-Williams, Citizens United and the need for Move to Amend
Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee, Human & Civil Rights Abuses
Jane Carter, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, Messaging that speaks to all political persuasions
Speakers for “Faithful Friday”
Faithful Friday, ALEC and our Moral and Civic Values, Friday, August 1, Noon at (TBA):
A Call to Action, In the tradition of Civil Rights speak-outs and in solidarity with those now inspired to establish “Moral Mondays,” our “Faithful Friday” event is a call to people of all faiths to testify to the impact of ALEC-derived laws and public policies on our human family and our stewardship of the earth. Faith leaders and communities have a rich legacy of providing witness on matters of social justice, civil and human rights. We also have a sacred obligation to help bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice.
Rev. Peter Johnson, Civil Rights Activist & SCLS Staff Member
Judge Clay Jenkins, Dallas County Judge
Dr. Joerg Rieger, Perkins School of Theology
Lon Burnam, Former Texas State Representative
David Lee, Alliance-AFT
Shahid Buttar, Bill of Rights Defense Committee
Gary Dorr, First Nation Peace Camp, North Dakota
Collette Flanagan, Mothers Against Police Brutality
Take Action
So, what can YOU do? Stand up and TEXspose ALEC by taking action below!