Arguing it will exacerbate the growing gap between the rich and the poor, the Somerville Board of Aldermen approved a resolution Thursday night calling for the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision to be overturned.

The Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission decision allows corporations and unions to spend money on political matters. The Board of Aldermen passed a resolution supporting a constitutional amendment to reverse that decision. 

"I wouldn't call it the worst decision of the Supreme Court … but [it's] one of the worst decisions of the Supreme Court," said Alderman At-Large William White.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz said, "It is a huge threat to our democracy" when corporations have the same right to free speech as individuals. "How is that by the people, for the people?" she asked.

At-Large Alderman Dennis Sullivan said of the proposed constitutional amendment, "This amendment would be putting people in charge of government and not corporations."

The Board of Aldermen's resolution supporting a constitutional amendment on the issue—which you can read by clicking the PDF above, under the photo of the Constitution—is almost two pages long.

It says, among other things, "The top 1% of Americans control 47% of the financial wealth in America and the bottom 80% control only 7% of the financial wealth of America," and, "A fair and balanced presentation of information is a fundamental necessity for a democratic government to function."

To White, an influx of corporate money into elections would increase the gap between rich and poor, meaning "places like Somerville aren't going to exist anymore."