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
We (libs and conservatives alike) are all so concerned about how appellate and Supreme Ct. justices will rule concerning legislation--legislation passed by freely elected US and state legislators. Yet, there is NOTHING, I repeat NOTHING in the US constitution giving federal judges the authority to overturn legislation passed by such legislators. The judiciary (under Chief Justice Marshall) essentially seized this power in a constitutional coup in the seminal case Marbury vs. Madison. What we conservatives should be debating is whether the institution of judicial review should even exist in this day and age. Most representative republics don't have it. A law passed by a freely elected parliament is assumed to be constitutional. That is how it is in Britain and most of Europe. American legislators and executives swear an oath to uphold and defend the US constitution. It is thus unthinkable that they would introuduce, let alone pass legislation violating our Constitution. I know this seems quixotic, but if we press our allies in the Federalist society and in Congress, we may, someday, be able to push through a constituional amendment eliminating the odious doctrine of judicial review.
I suggest all these wackos come to MY house.
Right. the Republicans can't "steal" what the Democrats don't have: a majority, elected by the people of the states.
So who is really making a "grab"?
Cassius23 (13 posts) Mon May-23-05 05:43 AM
Original message
How would one go about organizing a protest march?
Ok, here's the deal. I am just about sick and tired of the bad news I've been hearing and want to do something about it. I was hoping that going to the RNC protests would be enough but, well, it wasn't. So, here's the deal. I would like to try to organize a protest for in and around Labor Day weekend at Washington DC. I am gonna try and dial up some of my friends from Alabama for Kerry, see if they'll beat the drum in the south and see what we'll come up with. I currently live in NJ and I'm gonna try and see what democrats and other such liberals and progressives I can find. Then once we get core groups, then we load 'em up on buses and meet in DC.
What will we be protesting?
Well, I'm not sure just yet as there are so MANY things to choose from. I'll probibly just pick about four and go with that.
So, umm..help? I've never planned anything like this before and wouldn't do it now but I feel very strongly we need to make this happen and nobody else has come forward to do it. I mean, when was the last time we marched on Washington?
Me
Someone who is registered there should suggest a mass suicide-in where they all swallow cyanide on cue to teach the EEEEVIL Republicans a lesson.
I heard Michael Moore was filisbustering at Old Country Buffet and they were going to capitulate.
They might actually buy this idea, it's brilliant.
That would prove that Bush drove them to mass offings. I like it, ROTFL.
Can't imagine that would be a very long list.
ohtransplant (517 posts) Mon May-23-05 01:51 AM
Original message
Anyone interested in starting a filibuster in Columbus OH?
I'll be traveling throughout the state this week so I can't take the lead on something like this but I'd sure schedule some time if someone can set it up! See the link below.
Come to the Democracy Cell Project and spend 5 minutes a day on democracy. If we're not willing to do this, then we can no longer blame the "ignorant" people who know nothing about this. WE MUST BE THE MEDIA or we have to admit that we're to blame as well.
http://www.democracycellproject.net
------------------
In other words, "Someone please schedule a revolution, but Tuesdays and Thursdays after 3:00 are not good for me, and I need to drop my cat at the vet Saturday morning, and......."
May I suggest the Staten Island landfill?
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
Oh...my...
It's so pathetic!
I'll tell you where, to the Republican National Committee. The country is has moved to the right sleepy. Get a grip. You will see in 2006 and 2008 when we have 75 pubbies in the Senate. It's over lefty.
Pushed To The Left (941 posts) Sun May-22-05 08:03 PM
Original message
What is OUR "nuclear option"?
I know that Harry Reid is planning on shutting the Senate down if the Fascist Option is passed(good for him!), but what is our nuclear option? What can we do as progressives that we haven't done before, or that we would have thought was too "over the line" previously?
rigel99 (567 posts)
Response to Original message
1. Our nuclear option is VERY RADICAL ...
Peace...
get the **** out of iraq..
give back all the money Enron and Worldcomm and the other Corporations have stolen from the american people (basically I'd 'nationalize' certain illegal companies).
I'd basically have a new election, based purely on one person one vote.
I would not let kerry or any of the previous candidates run except for Carol Mosely braun or al shapton. [Yes! Oh, yes! BOOWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!]
our nuclear option is to REMOVE THE CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED..
everybody stops paying taxes till the government produces economic and healthcare for everyone results...
we don't need to fight LIKE THEM...
we must merely fight...
hear that all you ***wipe pussy democrats?
Al-CIAda (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
2. "Our'? Meaning the Dem reps?
Duck and cover?
Throw rocks and run?
Knock then run away?
Zell Miller's infamous alleged spitballs?
Ha!
Syncronaut Seven (899 posts)
Response to Original message
3. We're not allowed to talk about it.
applegrove (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
4. That as long as the filibuster goes on..democrats will have the floor and be able to talk about health care..and all the issues that have been ignored or swept away.
lonestarnot (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
5. How many are going to just ask what our options are... everyone knows what our options are and none of them are pleasant.
Massacure (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
6. Reid won't shut down the Senate.
He just has a dozen or so progressive bills that he will use to flood the Senate and he will object to skipping the reading of the bills. They may not get passed, but reading them will slow the Senate and we can paint the republicans as their true colors with it.
The Republicans may get their damn judges, but Reid has the entire thing set up to bite the Republicans in the ass come 2006. [I suppose this is the 'ol rope-a-dope technique, but it appears to be no rope and all dope!]
Telly Savalas (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
7. We'll go buy sushi...and not pay.
That is CLASSIC!!!!
ck4829 (1000+ posts) Mon May-23-05 10:27 AM
Original message
It is time to act against the RW
We CAN fight the RW! All of us our little water droplets, but if you were to combine us all we would turn into a Flood which would totally crush the RW.
We can't place any trust in Congress until at least 2006, that is why the Citizens need to do it.
Here is what we need to do.
Create a Think Tank on DU. I am not the first person to suggest this, but I am hoping that with my suggestion that this Think Tank will be created.
The 3 words Evil people hate to hear, "Truth and Reconciliation". This is where things will get fun. In this step I am proposing that we unite as many LW Groups as we can under one group, I am thinking of calling it the "Commission on Truth and Reconciliation" (COTAR).
COTAR. We will focus on:
Impeaching Bush
Forming a very powerful boycott against those who fund the Far Right
Debunking the lies from the 'liberal' media
A Citizen's 9/11 Commission
Investigating on Bush's ties to Reactionary groups, PNAC, and Secret Cabals (such as the CNP)
And more
We need to act now.
benburch (1000+ posts)
Response to Original message
1. I'd add arms training and weapons drills.
If they fear us, our opinions mean more to them.
lonestarnot (1000+ posts)
Response to Reply #1
2. Good luck.... LOL
The Revolution will not be televised. It will however have to be scheduled so as not to interfere with viewing of reruns of "Grey's Anatomy" and "Smallville."
I love these moonbats. :o) They're funny as all-get-out.
Create a Think Tank on DU.
And what an empty tank that would be. ;o)
DU-- the gift that keeps on giving!
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