Results of Common Cause supported picketing of "Target Corp." shareholders' meeting on Wed. 6-8-11

Your emails, calls, letters and activism on social media about Target Corp's political spending grabbed the attention of the company's leaders, the press and the general public. More than 100 people picketed outside Target's annual shareholders' meeting on Wednesday, and CEO Gregg Steinhafel was besieged inside by critical questions about the company's $150,000 gift last year to a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposed basic civil rights.

"Does anybody have a question relating to our business that is unrelated to political giving?" an exasperated Steinhafel said during the meeting, after 10 shareholders raised concerns about Target's 2010 political spending. "I would love to hear any question related to something else."

Thanks to you, Target got our message. And we need other corporations to hear the message too that they cannot buy our democracy. Will you make a donation so Common Cause (http://www.commoncause.org) can continue to pressure corporations to stick to business, and stay out of our elections?

The Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United allowed companies to pour about $300 million into the 2010 elections; they'll spend millions more in 2012 unless we convince them that meddling in politics is bad for business. We've made a good start on that with Target, please help us keep up the momentum.

Thanks for all you do,

President, Common Cause