Ohio patriots FLOOD state capitol, drown out myths about COS

Highly trained, equipped, and skilled Ohioan supporters of the national grassroots call for an Article V convention flocked to their state capitol on Tuesday for a public hearing on Convention of States, highlighting the overwhelming scholarly evidence in favor of the constitutional process. Facing several rounds of critical questioning, the grassroots capably cut through lawmakers’ doubts and worries, dismissing common misconceptions about Convention of States.

“Washington is broken, yet clearly has no plans to address our nation’s problems with permanent solutions,” testified proponent Diana Telles. “The state amending convention under the authority of Article V of the Constitution offers a safe, civil, and effective response to the country’s dire situation.”

While supporters and skeptics alike resonated with concerns about the untampered growth of the federal government, several legislators raised questions about the security of the process, citing unease about the so-called “runaway convention” theory, which suggests that a convention could completely replace or rewrite the Constitution. Drawing from respected, peer-reviewed research from constitutional scholar Prof. Robert G. Natelson and attorney Michael P. Farris (who personally testified before the committee), the Ohio team skillfully debunked these myths, authenticating that an Article V amendments convention is, by definition, limited.

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Brushing aside these objections, team members presented an effective case, not only demonstrating the safety of a convention but also underlining its urgent necessity.

“The Convention of States effort is not merely a political maneuver,” exposited Mark Pukita, an entrepreneur and business founder. “It is a clarion call for the revival of the American dream. It seeks to create a fertile ground for entrepreneurs to thrive, unencumbered by excessive regulation, and to guarantee that the personal freedoms our forebears fought for remain intact. By supporting this cause, we champion a future where innovation, prosperity, and freedom are the hallmarks of our nation.”

After more than three hours of persuasive, well-prepared grassroots testimony, the Ohio team garnered widespread acclaim from various COS leaders, including Mark Meckler, Regional Director Catherine Zemanek, and Senior Vice President for Legislative Affairs Rita Peters, on a special edition of COS Live (watch the entire episode below).

“Every person that testified — with the exception of Michael Farris, who does work for Convention of States Action — every other person who testified is a volunteer,” noted Rita Peters. “These are people who left their day jobs today, who traveled, some of them pretty great distances, to be at the capitol. They’re not paid. They are trained because we train them and work with them and encourage them and support them. But that’s the grassroots.”

To join the grassroots army — active in all 50 states — sign the Convention of States petition below, urging your state legislator to support this important cause.