Activism/Rally Vanity (need some advice please!)

self | 05/19/2004 | self

[RaceBannon]

Unless you have a podium to speak from, speakers will be in a BAD spot to seak from, and will only be heard. People will not respond to a voice in the air.

People need to actually see a speaker to pay attention to them.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I'll be securing a podium, and the lawn of the State House is unique in that it's built on a downward slant coming from the steps, and heading down to the street.

It's a natural elevation, which works out very well.

See here:

http://www.hf.uio.no/iba/amciv/gfx/RhodeIsland/RI%20Providence%20State%20House%20904.jpg

[MeekOneGOP]

Looks like Kerry and Teddy got hitched .....

[DLfromthedesert]

There is a group in AZ www.azpolicy.org The president is a lawyer who has successfully lobbied our legislature on pro-life and other cultural issues. He has also organized many rallies. Try the website. A lot of good info

Sorry, I don't know how to post a link .....

[VOA]

Amateur suggestions (although I was a peripheral participant during counter-protests
during the November 2000 election imbroglio:

1. See if you can get info/help/advice from some organizations concerned with
the issue. Concerned Women For America comes to mind as they were part of a large
demonstration in Boston. Check their page (contact info at bottom of page) at:
http://www.cwfa.org/main.asp
Also, try Focus On The Family -- their founder James Dobson
mentions the issue often on their radio show.
They are at:
http://www.family.org

2. If you haven't yet, reach out to groups that are conservative on this issue,
even if politically more liberal on most other issues. Such as African-American churches or immigrant groups with a large Catholic constituencies
(as in Vietnamese).

And the other thing...get the info out AHEAD of time.
Do you have a conservative Christian radio station in your area (e.g. owned by
Salem Radio Network)? Some parts of the media may work with you -- even ones
that won't say out loud that they are on your side.

[VOA]

Looks like you're ahead of the curve with your planned radio interview.

I know it's some distance, but you might put a call into the Salem Radio Network station
in Boston and see if they'd give you some free publicity.
(I think Salem also has a more secular
talk-radio format station in Boston as well, but they would cover conservative issues).

Here the link for the Christian-oriented station:
http://www.wezeradio.com/

[WVNan]

You have seen how our awesome God works to bring things to pass. Fear not and go with His leading and you will be blessed.

[Little Bill]

Start out with posters and banners, I have a bull horn I can loan you, a real good one, if you get a sound permit.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Sound permit? They didn't mention anything to me about a sound permit...

Hmm...I'll have to inquire

[ItsOurTimeNow]

"Fear not and go with His leading and you will be blessed."

Amen to that, WVNan...Amen to that.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Ok folks! The rally organization is steaming along full speed!

We're having an Organizational Meeting tomorrow night, and one of the topics on my agenda is concerning the content of posters/banners/protest signs, etc.

See...what happened last time there was a rally like this in Providence, one woman...ONE WOMAN had a sign that was off-color and frankly, offensive and stupid, and it severely hurt the cause of the rally. The Media focuses on this ONE woman, and it set the tone for all local reporting on the event.

I want to avoid this, so I'm generating a list of suggested slogans/sayings that the pastors can encourage their congregation to put on posters.

What are some good sayings to use? Ideas?

[little jeremiah]

I would humbly suggest that not only do you want to avoid off-color signs (for example, "No Legalizing Fudgepacker Marriage") I wouldn't be *too* squeamish. Recently in CA hardly any signs or banners were allowed - only ones like "One Man One Woman is Marriage" or the like. IOW, those in "charge" wanted only positive banners, not ones "against" homosexual marriage.

I disagree. People NEED to get riled up! They NEED to get over their fear of expressing themselves! This rally isn't really for the benefit of those attending - it's for those who see it as they drive by, hear about it, and so on. THOSE people need to have their spines stiffened, and if all the banners are milk-and-water mildmannered Mr. Milquetoast pretty please slogans, it shows weakness and won't energize those you want to energize.

IMO you want colorful, strong, in your face messages! Divisive! Yes!

Get the sheeple energized - just because something is said strongly doens't mean it should be disallowed. How about my tagline? Later I'll come up with some, and I'll ping the list for creative thinking.

[little jeremiah]

Homosexual Agenda Ping - Ok, pingees - get your thinking caps on and quills at the ready.

This good Freeper in RI is organizing a rally and could use some help in thinking of signs and slogans. Pray read my post in response to her request, and see if you can come up with some concise and meaningful signs and banner type messages! Better yet, if any of you live close to RI (say, closer than me...) you could even go and hold your sign in person!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I understand the need to carry a strong message, but at the same time I also know that tact is called for.

Here's an article that sort of explains what happened, and speaks of the aftermath:

http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20040320_moffit20.18c4f6.html

Bottom line, RI is a state LOADED with hand-wringing. bed-wetting liberals who would love nothing more than another chance to paint all of us who have conservative, traditional values as "hate-mongers".

Because of this incident back in March, the Catholic Church is not backing this rally, and Rep. Moffit has "family committments" that day.

Of the 13 state reps who sponsor a marriage definition to the state's constitution, I've head back from 3. 2 said they couldn't make it, and one wanted to know "who else" would be there.

Friggin' spineless turds...the whole lot of 'em.

[little jeremiah]

Exactly HOW "off-color" was the sign, anyway? We have to keep in mind that the media are to a man either homosexual or their handmaidens, so whatever conservatives do to express themselves will be twisted no matter what. Numbers and enthusiasm will energize the fence sitters!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

in response to her request,

*ahem*

...HIS request...

:-)

[ItsOurTimeNow]

She blamed The Station nightclub fire (which killed 100 people) on homosexuality.

[little jeremiah]

So sorry - (it's hard to tell under the screennames who is who!!!)

I amend - MR. ItsOurTimeNow!

[heylady]

I agree with you about positive signs only. There must have been a pro life rally at the state house recently with some inflamatory signs because now the pro life movement is labelled(and dismissed as) a bunch of wackos. I don't think that is the persona we will be trying to portray.

I have to work that day until 2 but I will be there as soon as I can.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Awesome~!

Let me know if you want a copy of the flyer to distribute and/or post in your church. We've only got a couple of weeks left, and we need to drum up a lot more support!