Activists Rally at #KochProblem Event at St. Anselm College

Granite State Progress and People For the American Way rallied outside of the St. Anselm Institute of Politics this morning against the Kochs’ latest PR event, a talk titled “Beyond the Political Spin: How Koch is Driving Freedom, Fairness, and Prosperity,” given by Koch Industries Inc. chief communication and marketing officer Steve Lombardo.

The protesters held signs outside of the event and later, issued statements about the concern the Koch brothers have over the political process.

“Faced with opposition from a growing number of concerned Americans over their big dollar contributions to politicians and campaigns that hurt working families, the Koch brothers have been on a public relations blitz this year to improve their image,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “This speaking tour is nothing but a public relations stunt to whitewash their bad practices.”

PFAW New Hampshire Campaign Organizer Lindsay Jakows added, “More than two-thirds of New Hampshire voters want to limit big money in politics, regardless of party. The Kochs’ PR events won’t change the fact that they are shamelessly attempting to buy political influence across the country. New Hampshire students and voters won’t support the big-money takeover of our democracy no matter how many publicity events the Kochs put on.”

Activists spoke out against the political activity of Koch front groups – like the LIBRE Initiative and Generation Opportunity – as well as the outsized influence the billionaires are able to buy on the federal, state, and local level. The LIBRE Initiative attempts to attract Latinos to the GOP’s base, yet advances policies – like opposing raises to the minimum wage – that disproportionately hurt Latinos. Similarly, Generation Opportunity reaches out to students while opposing policies – like the Affordable Care Act and student loan reform – that would make education and healthcare more affordable for millions of young people.

Meanwhile, the activist stated, Koch Industries is airing friendly “We are Koch” ads in a marketing attempt to appeal to the general public, and acknowledged that touting their work on issues likecriminal justice reform – a bipartisan effort – has helped them on the public relations front. Asked at the St. Anselm event if the Koch network would demonstrate a true commitment to criminal justice reform by only supporting pro-criminal justice reform candidates in the same way the Koch network provides a litmus test on candidate environmental positions (read: climate change denial), Koch’s chief marketing officer said no. The Koch network plans to spend nearly $900 million this election cycle.