Calling all college students, faculty and staff!

[emlev]

Host an election justice/reform teach in on your campus!

The folks who put together the successful teach-in in Oakland, California, perhaps joined by the organizers of the Santa Monica, California teach-in, are putting together a kit for people who want to organize teach-ins. I believe both teach-ins will be available on VHS and/or DVD, and there are several films that could be shown. Additionally, there are activists all over the country who could be available to speak. Sometimes funding can be obtained to bring speakers from afar. This is a great way to get the word out.

One possibility for organizing this would be do do it through an existing campus organization.

If you're interested in doing this and don't know how, post your situation here, and we'll help!

Students, you might even be able to put together an event like this as a project for one of your classes, and get credit for it.

Teach-ins can include films/slideshows, speeches, power point presentations, workshops, discussion groups, entertainment...you get to figure out what works for your particular community. The event can also include an action portion where the people in attendance together do something about the issue, whether it's write letters, assemble a mailing for an election reform group, post educational signs around town, etc.

If several campuses in a region were to network to create teach-ins the same week, it would make it easier to bring in speakers from far away.

Anybody game?

[AtLiberty]

1. Awesome idea!

[Wilms]

2. I was handed a flyer for $3 DVD's of the LA event.

JusticeVision.org
[e-mail]

I think there is or will be a Stream of it, too.

[emlev]

3. That's great that it's going to be so affordable! n/t

[berniew1]

4. students should take note of the systematic plan to suppress student vote

in the 2004 election by the Republican party, documented by large numbers of reports to the EIRS election hotline in many states at:
http://www.flcv.com/ussumall.html

[emlev]

5. kick

[mod mom]

6. thanks, Emlev, CASEOhio will be hosting one in Central Ohio in late

April or Early May. Stay tuned to <caseohio.org> for more information!

[ccarter84]

7. Responding to the call

I'm game
I am a college student at a University in Washington D.C.
I have been following this since november 2nd
I have gotten the OK to do a teach-in on my campus a two weeks ago to the College dems...then I realized I didn't have a presentation ready to give them.

If we have something to present, or better yet even speakers I think that could really help.

There are several colleges in the area, and I think that if we were to advertise/network properly(more about this could come later) we could pull off a pretty outstanding turnout.
We need to appeal to my fellow college students, which is tough. Although college students are the most idealistic demographic out there, we too often feel powerless, I think it could be this this movement that could give my generation some faith in the power of the people. I will be so bold as to say that this movement can be taken over by college students and a few young vibrant leaders, if it's pulled off right.
I don't know all that much about the 60's, but campuses are still wonderful places for rapid exchanges of ideas and networking beyond ones dreams.

I've got energy, a few small connections, good ideas for getting out the word, and am currently working on a a website where people can go to get a quick ---verified & sourced--- background on election fraud.

Most college students are busy trying to have fun, find their purpose in life, and not fail out of college all at the same time- the level of awareness right now about Election 2004 problems is minimal at best...even in the colleges in D.C. Its time to fix that.

Haven't been on DU much lately, Glad I saw your post and keep working, The reinforcements are coming
-CC

[emlev]

8. Three cheers for CCarter! We're off and running!

I'm thrilled you're up for taking this on. Perhaps since you're in DC you could get Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones or one of the other 30 Congress members who contested the Ohio electoral vote to speak, or Senator Barbara Boxer.

You also might want to contact left.org. They're based in DC. David Lytel is an awesome speaker.

What's your sense of whether the League of Pissed Off Voters would be a good resource/ I haven't heard a peep out of them since the election. Let's get them peeping!

You wrote that most college students are, "busy trying to have fun, find their purpose in life, and not fail out of college all at the same time." So, build on that.

1.Make the teach-in fun. You could have a benefit concert the week or the night before to raise both money and consciousness. Make sure that speakers know the importance of raising spirits at the teach-in. Figure out what else would make it fun.

2. Help students see the option of making social change as their purpose in life. Make sure the teach-in provides a variety of examples of ways people can get involved.

3. Regarding the not failing out of school aspect, a couple of beginning thoughts. Scheduling is obviously key here, making sure not to schedule the event right before or during midterms or finals. Having a short-teach in rather than an all-day one might be important as well. And maybe you can find professors who are willing to offer credit for students doing projects on the topic? Also, again making sure the volunteer tasks people are invited to do are do-able within the context of student life.

And as for you, keep asking for help! And we'll keep helping. Feel free to jot down my screen name so you can send me a message later if thie thread is gone and you need help.

[Peace Patriot]

9. Kick! It is tremendously important that our nation's students become...

...informed about this matter, and get active on it. Students are a powerful force! Imagine a student divestiture movement, like the So. Africa divestiture movement of the 80's and the current anti-sweatshop movement, around Univ. investment and CONTRACTS with companies like Diebold and ES&S, who may be running Univ. information systems (not just the campus ATMs.)

It's your country! It's your future! It's your vote!

[Peace Patriot]

10. OK, emlev, here it is! John Conyers endorses Velvet Revolution's...

...divestiture campaign. This just got posted. Read about it here...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=203&topic_id=337214#337237

This is how to get the students into it--a la, the So. Africa divestiture campaign, and the anti-sweatshop campaign. University investment and contracts re: Diebold et al.

See this. It's fabulous:

http://www.bradblog.com/archives/00001228.htm

And

http://www.velvetrevolution.us/

[emlev]

12. kick for Conyers! n/t

[Peace Patriot]

11. KICK! n/t