"We've consistently found MoveOn members to be the most eloquent and passionate advocates for our values."
Posted on 05/23/2005 6:25:34 AM PDT by dukeman
Host Guide
Citizen Filibusters to Stop the Right-Wing Power Grab
This event is a little different than most other events you have been to in the past. That’s because this event will be going on for 24 hours, non-stop, around-the-clock to remind people of the importance of the filibuster as a check on absolute power, and to highlight this emergency threat to our democracy.
This action won’t happen without you. Here is what needs to happen.
Decide on a Location
The first thing you need to do is to decide on a location. We’ve suggested using a location in front of a federal courthouse because the image of citizens speaking out in front of a court building can send a powerful message about what is at stake. But you also want to think about where else might be a good location—somewhere symbolic but also where crowds, foot traffic and the media may gather.
After you decide on a location, add it on the MoveOn event system at the link below.
http://www.moveonpac.org/event/citizenfilibusters/
Registered events will be reviewed and approved before they’re viewable online.
Recruit and Confirm Speakers
We've consistently found MoveOn members to be the most eloquent and passionate advocates for our values. So we'll have members do the talking at the event.
Invite your friends, family and colleagues to get involved by signing up for a speaking shift during the citizen filibuster. We’ll e-mail other MoveOn members the day before your Citizen Filibuster and invite them to sign up for shifts.
It is absolutely essential that you call the people who RSVP online and confirm that they’ll do as they’ve promised. When you call just introduce yourself, confirm that they’ll be attending and suggest that they prepare what they plan to read during the citizen filibuster. We’ve provided a suggested reading list here. If you don’t see anything you want to read on our list, you can read anything that celebrates democracy. You might also ask if they’ll agree to help supervise a couple of shifts so you can step away to get some rest. We don’t expect you to attend the entire 24-hour citizen filibuster—just help make it happen. Maybe find a speaker who agrees to cover for you in your absence.
You should also feel free to invite local politicians, community leaders, professors and others who might add gravitas to the event.
The event tool intentionally overbooks a couple of people for each speaking slot to make sure that things are covered.
Lookin’ Good: Make Some Signs
Make some signs, or at least one key sign, and encourage other attendees to make signs.
Here are some sign ideas.
Citizen Filibuster for the Courts
Stop the Power Grab
No Radical Right Judges
Hands Off the Courts
No Abuse of Power
Start the Filibuster, Check in Periodically
Once the location and speakers are confirmed your first job is to get the citizen filibuster started. Maybe do your own reading. Call to confirm speakers from the filibuster site.
When students at Princeton University started their filibuster on April 26 they had a makeshift podium and a bullhorn. Think about what you could do to set the stage. It might not be anything more than a sign or two. If you know where to get a sound system or a bullhorn that is great. If not, that is fine too.
Work the phones to try to make sure there are at least two people there at all times—including over night.
Alert the Media
The 24-hour citizen filibusters are great news stories about Americans concerned about their democracy speaking out.
Once the filibuster is under way call your local media and alert them to the citizen filibuster. Call TV stations, radio stations and local newspapers. And, since the event is going 24-hours feel free to call back a couple of hours later when a new shift of journalists might be just arriving.
You can use this press release if you want. Make sure the media know the location and times. That is really important.
You can use these talking points about the issue when you talk to the media.
Most televisions stations have a local news show at noon, 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., 10:00 or 11:00 p.m., and sometime in the morning around 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. Try to have a good spokesperson around during those times—maybe yourself.
In Case Anyone Asks
Most events are in a public place. If anyone asks you what you are doing, tell them something like:
"Right now, radical Republicans in the Senate are trying to get absolute power over our courts so they can nominate judges who will strike down environmental laws, the minimum wage, and even our right to privacy. But we're not going to let it happen."
What We’ll Tell Participants
There are two main jobs for people who show up for Citizen Filibusters. Since we need to have people speaking for a 24-hour period, we are hoping that most people will sign up to speak (really, just reading aloud) for a one or two-hour slot.
If they don’t want to read, it is great for people to show up to support the effort. It is most important to be there when we hope the media will be there too. Most televisions stations have a local news show at noon, 5:00 or 6:00 p.m., 10:00 or 11:00 p.m., and sometime in the morning around 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. We encourage folks to help build a crowd during those times. We need as many people as possible to show up and send a strong message that we are opposed to the Republicans' efforts to seize absolute power.
One final note: Please stay on public property. Don't block the street or building entrances and exits. Follow all local laws and the instructions of local police, and stay respectful towards people with whom you disagree. There are all kinds of people coming to these events, and we want to keep them safe for everyone, regardless of age, political experience, or legal status.
Basically, we're putting the success of the Citizen Filibusters in your hands. Thanks for all you do.
Submit questions and we’ll try to answer them as quickly as possible. emergencyaction@moveonpac.org
What will YOU be saying at your area's citizen filibuster?
I may have to exercise my "citizen nuclear option".
Because moron.org has been sooooo effective in the past. ;o)
Proof that leftists get all the really good drugs.
They must really be afraid that we are going to return some sanity to the country.
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I think alot of these bottom-feeders, like MORON.ORG, got so used to the "anything goes" mentality of the Klintoon administration, that the idea of again having to OBEY LAWS and be governed by THE CONSTITUTION, that they are just going nuts -- why the very idea of being a lawful, American citizen again, that is just unacceptable!!!!
"We've consistently found MoveOn members to be the most eloquent and passionate advocates for our values."
Amen and amen! I hope the Senate leadership can beg, borrow, or steal some gonads so they can make that vote.
They lost at the ballot box so no they are using intimidation in front of public buildings, JUST LIKE THE NAZIS.
Sorry I couldn't resist. :^)
We have a check on absolute power. It's called an "election."
I thought it was the right to bear arms.
Some grassroots movement!
We will tell you who can speak, and we will tell you what to say and we will notify the media in advance of your spontanious demonstrations.
I have a suggestion for a location they could filabuster at...thier local landfill.
I've always been for the right to arm bears.
You know, just to see if it'd be a balance of power with the hunters, or if they'd just go after the tree huggers.
Hmmmmmmmmm, I think I could put in a grant application for a few million for a study on this . . . .
At first they were annoying, now they are just entertaining as all get out. I am throwing a tailgate at the next citizen filibuster event, who is with me? Hell, we can even coordinate it with Abu Grahib Day.
Move on.
Dot org.
I thought that a multi-party system and other checks and balances took care of that. What they really mean is that they need something to put them on the path to their own absolute power - in that case, absolute power would be a good thing...
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