Key organizing materials to get the word out about Oct. 5 protests:
8.5×11
pdf with the Call & Oct. 5 protests
Press release for October 5 protests
DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS-TWO TIPS:
Set up points from which materials can be picked up. Publicize those on your local literature.
A good example: Atlanta
has set up a place that someone will be at with materials that people can pick
up throughout the weekend. Also they
have a map of the city and surrounding areas with different areas that need to
be saturated with materials. This way
when people come at any time they can join teams out already or take responsibility
for another area of the city.
Press Tips for organizers:
1) It’s highly
possible to get a story about October 5 even BEFORE the day in your local
newspapers and on the radio. This is a very unusual national protest-in a
highly charged moment-taking place in over 115 cities, and yours is one of
them! Reporters could do a feature on
the local organizer, (for example) and connect it to the nationally known
people who have signed the Call, and news developments of the hour, see our
current press release on the press page on the site. The reporters can also
talk to national organizers or spokespeople (Speakers are listed on press
page). You can also put the national press office (718-825-9119) in touch with
interested local press. If you are stuck
for phone numbers for your local newspaper and radio stations, write to press@worldcantwait.org.
2) Make sure the
nearest Associated Press office knows about your protest. This is the SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT press
call. This should be done by Friday (9/29)
by noon. Because the hour is late, we are going to try to do notify your city’s
bureau ourselves (from NYC), but you should check to see the protest is on the
daybook (CALL them). And you should send them a press release again next week
and call them. To find the bureau near you, go to http://www.ap.org/pages/contact/contact.html
Look for your state under AP Bureaus.
3) Find a videographer
to tape your protest. We have the
possibility of making a film out of the day’s protests. A critical feature of
this new movement is how broadly and quickly it has built-your city’s footage
is essential. You should also be sure
there are still photographers on hand, and that they all send the pictures in
that night to press@worldcantwait.org (Video footage should be uploaded to youtube,
we”ll send instructions later.)
Rally & March Permit:
People have been asking the national office about permits. This is not meant to be legal advice but some
pointers about how to deal with permits.
WCW is promoting legal, permitted marches and rallies. Check
with your local police and city hall to see if a permit is needed. If you are having a rally in a public park in
a smaller town, you may not need a permit.
Generally, you do not need a permit to march on the sidewalk. Generally
you do need a permit if you march in the street. This will usually involve negotiations with
the police about the route.
Police may say you cannot march or rally because of traffic
problems or having to pay police overtime or such excuses. In general (and remember this is not legal
advice) our free speech and assembly rights trump city inconvenience.
If police or the city continue to say you cannot march or rally,
consult an attorney. The NLG (National
Lawyers Guild) supports such free speech rights. Also the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union). Be
persistent; don’t give up. The Bush
regime is trying to suppress dissent. We
have to fight to dissent.