Fifteen people stood outside on the streets of Terre Haute in the storm Wednesday evening while trying to get their message across to passersby.
As the rain came down hard and lighting and thunder occupied the sky, local MoveOn members held handmade signs while they gathered at Third and Poplar streets.
An organization called MoveOn staged a national day of rallying, protesting members of Congress accepting contributions from oil companies.
“This rally was to focus on the fact that we want an oil-free Congress,” said MoveOn member Robert Dodson of Center Point. “We don’t want congressmen taking money from oil companies and then ignoring the needs of average people. We want Congress to reflect the will of the people.”
One concern of the organization is that the lawmakers, who are allegedly accepting money from oil companies, are not finding alternative methods for energy. They are accepting contributions from oil companies and, in turn, are supporting the oil companies, Dodson said.
“Quid pro quo,” he said, “we don’t do anything for nothing at all.”
The MoveOn organization claims that since 1990, oil companies have provided $190 million in political contributions. The organization stated that Rep. John Hostettler has accepted $58,525 in political contributions.
Karen Hammonds, office manager for Friends of John Hostettler, responded in an e-mail that Hostettler has not received campaign contributions from oil companies.
“ … It is unlawful to receive campaign contributions from oil companies,” Hammonds stated. “Therefore, the moveon.org allegation is demonstrably fallacious.”
Dodson said the independent organization favors Democrats though it doesn’t provide money to Democrats. It assists Democrats in rallying people to elect them into political offices.
“I think that if the right Democrats are elected,” Dodson said, “we will see some changes in policy. The country, which I think has been moving in the wrong direction, may start moving in the right direction.”
Laura Followell can be reached at (812) 231-4253 or laura.followell@tribstar.com.
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