The Gift Ban 9: Stand Up for Those Who Sat Down
Zoe Hartmann and Patrick Kearns
For almost a decade, MarchOnHarrisburg has been fighting to get a gift ban passed in the Pennsylvanian legislature. We know corruption is systemic in our state, with massive bribes from wealthy donors going consistently unreported as “gifts” for lawmakers. For instance, in 2017, $1.65 million worth of gifts were given, with only $32,318 actually being reported. The overwhelming amount of money being given to politicians is why they abandon our interests in favor of the most wealthy. Banning these gifts is common sense– but despite the popularity of a gift ban, Pennsylvanian representatives have not brought it to vote. This leaves PA as one of three states in the country to not enact a gift ban bill.
To fight for this bill, we set off on our March to End Bribery, spanning 63 miles from Reading to Harrisburg, ending with over 70 protestors gathered in the State Capitol on May 4th. We challenged the legislature to move the gift ban through the House, critical anti-corruption reform that would stop lawmakers from receiving gifts (read: bribes) from wealthy donors. Among us were the Gift Ban 9—members of MarchOnHarrisburg who staged a sit-in within the State Capitol Building. The Nine held a banner declaring “You Take Bribes & People Die,” while joining the other protestors in song: “Which Side Are You On?” The sit-in was meant to raise awareness of Pennsylvania’s political corruption and challenge lawmakers directly, an invitation to confront the issue head-on. However, minutes after they sat down, police escorted the Gift Ban 9 in handcuffs to the capitol basement, from which three were arrested and taken to the Dauphin County jail.
Arrested for a powerful act of free expression, the Gift Ban 9 are being punished for challenging our corrupt lawmakers and fighting for our right to democracy. The threat is clear: continue to fight against corruption—continue to take public action in support of a legitimate, democratic Pennsylvania—and see what happens. A system that arrests peaceful protestors, that punishes instead of listens and condemns instead of confronts, is a broken one. It’s one we need to rally against if we hope to forge a meaningful democracy in Pennsylvania.
Moving Forward…
In pursuit of this continued fight, 30 Pennsylvanians showed up to the Dauphin County courthouse on June 2nd, to support six of the Gift Ban 9 in their trial. These six protestors were charged with summary citations, and pled down to 4 hours of community service and a $50 fine for each defendant. The next trial for the three misdemeanors is scheduled for July 20th. We will provide more information on how to help with the misdemeanor trial in the future but, in the meantime, you can support the Gift Ban 9 by donating to the legal fees fund, and showing up to the courthouse on 7/20 at 1pm!
Interested in supporting the Gift Ban Movement? We have resources that can help you learn and take direct action! Our website has a dedicated page for the Gift Ban, where you can call on leadership to bring the Gift Ban to the floor, see if your representative has pledged to vote for the gift ban, and find relevant events!
