Considering A Protest Action. Looking Advice Legal Or Otherwise.

[DistressedAmerican]

I am getting a little tired of waiting until there is a rally someplace that I can get to to hit the streets. Kind of tired of waiting for the antiwar movement to really get moving and generate some headlines.

I have endorsed non-violent passive resistance and civil disobedience in the past. The act of breaking an inconsequential law in order to highlight a much greater injustice.

Anyway,
One possibility I've been considering is climbing a billboard on a weekend with several large banners reading stuff like, "US Out Of Iraq" and "Impeach Bush". Figured I'd go up with food, water etc. for a couple of days and stays long as the police do not haul me down physically, I can get away with it or until I have to return to my life.

Certainly that would entail some charges. Trespassing, disorderly conduct, possible reckless endangerment if the police came up. Any other you can think of?

Any good legal aid links or other references you can point me to?

At this point a very early idea. Nobody freak. Very likely will never take place or at least not without much more info and research.

Just thinking it may be a way an individual with a small network of buddies could be a bit effective OR it may be ignored entirely (with the exception of all those folks driving by).

Deep thoughts?

Does anyone else have thoughts on potentially effective small group protest actions (say 1 to 4 people)?

Let's pool our ideas a bit!

I think me in this outfit I used on a previous street incursion would be pretty newsworthy at least at the local level:



Man In Gasmask Climbs Billboard To Protest War!

[unhappycamper]

1. I'm new to the public protest arena,

but am getting active.

Freewaybloggin is a winner. For ideas, see:
http://www.freewayblogger.com/index.htm

Become active in your local Veterans for Peace, Vietnam Veterans Against the War, or Iraq Veterans Against the War chapter. They are very active & make their presence known in most demonstrations.
http://veteransforpeace.org/
http://www.vvaw.org/
http://www.ivaw.net/

United for Peace and Justice is a another good jumping off point:
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/

Good luck, and don't forget to post pictures.

uhc

[DistressedAmerican]

2. I Was Inspired By Freeway Blogger. But, Wanted To Kick It Up A Notch!

I love the site and it is legendary but, I doubt the signs create much media buzz. The media loves a lone protester camped a top some high perch talking to the police about coming down.

Would be even better of we had folks ready to do the same in several locations although, small independent action is the real goal.

Look like some good links. Thanks I have some others I'll post when I am back at my home terminal.

Pics and video are a must! Will definately do that. My sis says she has a cellular internet connection so i may be able to blog such an event live!

[unhappycamper]

4. Silent protest is very effective.

I've been working on 28" x 22" poster this weekend. The numbers go into plastic pouches so they can be easily changed. I'm making numbers today. It's not done yet, but you should get an idea of what the final product looks like:





I live on a busy street & plan on sitting outside my condo for the morning and evening rush hours.

Here's a good poster tip: I was talking with a friend of mine who is a police officer, and he told me fluorescent lime green is the most visible color from a moving vehicle. He also recommended 6" black lettering.

[abluelady]

8. Just a Suggestion

I was involved in a protest with a few people. One of the signs basically said, "honk if you agree." Whenever anyone honked, one of us ran over to the car (this was at an intersection with a light) and gave them a piece of written material with our senators and congressman's names and phone numbers with a plea to call. I think we gave out over 500 of those sheets of paper. If 50 people called, we made some sort of impact. We held our signs up on public property so there were no legal issues involved. Good luck.

[DistressedAmerican]

13. Sounds Like A Fun Little Project! Always Love Honk If...

It encourages audience participation!

[DistressedAmerican]

14. kick

[Jara sang]

3. Check out Adbusters

http://www.adbusters.org/network/

They have all kinds of information on protest actions.

[DistressedAmerican]

6. Looks like A SWEET Group! I'm Always Interested In Self Procalimed

PRANKESTERS!!! Thanks!

[unhappycamper]

5. I also should add: Your graphics are / have been very poignant

and add to the rising voices. It's been slow getting things off the ground, but the term "truth tsunami" applies to what we are doing.

[DistressedAmerican]

7. Trying to do what I can with the resources and skills at hand.

I ask it of others. i'd be kind of lame not to do it myself.

Thanks. We'll get there.

[SouthernDem2004]

9. What the Police could get you for...

1) Trespassing
2) Disorderly conduct. Could be several different DO charges.
3) Failure to comply (A Disorderly charge in most states.)


Keep the sign profanity free. Profanity would be another charge and would also draw negative attention.

DO NOT DAMAGE THE BILLBOARD OR ANY PROPERTY. Most state have felony vandalism statutes. If the dollar amount of the damage exceeds a certain value the charge can become a felony.

Do not expect the Police to come up and get you. If they know who you are they will likely just leave you there and sign charges on you. Expect to have a warrant out at some point. Regardless, have bail money and a bondsmen lined up.

Peace

[DistressedAmerican]

10. Thanks For That Advice. Pretty Much Confirms My Suspicions.

I was planning to hang any signs beloy he ledge at the bottom of the signs and take them down when I came down so that they would not have to send someone up. Definately no damage.

Thanks for the input!

[DistressedAmerican]

11. Kicker

[DistressedAmerican]

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