Suggestions for successful activism

[>:^|]

I thought it would be helpful to have a thread regarding successful activism tactics.

In general, I believe that a successful campaign includes addressing the corporation involved, as well as sponsors, public officials and the media. One common tactic is to write sponsors while copying the offending party, public officials and the media.

Unfortunately, the rise of activism has also given rise to the SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation). These types of lawsuits against activists typically invoke tort law. They may be predicated on defamation, libel, abuse of process or interference with business. SLAPPs are particularly chilling on free speech and serve to intimidate.

Here are some suggestions for writing letters:

- Know your rights - be well versed in anti-SLAPP legislation.
- Stick to the facts - make sure what you write is not subject to dispute.
- Do not use language that might be actionable - e.g., do not threaten or defame other parties or threaten their business.
- Write polite letters - abuse may also be a cause of legal action.
- Copy media contacts - most companies will do anything to avoid bad publicity.

Find out about anti-SLAPP legislation in your state. If no such legislation exists, or if such legislation is extremely narrow, contact your state senator and representative with your concerns.

I would like to hear comments from others on this board, especially people well-versed in tort law. Additionally, I was wondering if consideration has been given to our beloved webmaster's liability.

Some useful links:

FAIR's media contact list (http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=111)
The California Anti-Slapp Project (http://www.casp.net/)
Links to other states' SLAPP legislation (http://www.casp.net/menstate.html)
The First Amendment Project (http://www.thefirstamendment.org/antislappresourcecenter.html)

[hooligan]

I think, also, you must understand the limitations of armchair activism. Sometimes, mailing letters and calling people will only go so far. In cases where there needs to be community action to get the results or justice (in our case) that we want, we might have to escalate the level of involvement. In other words, time to break out the pickets and attend some rallies!

[Faithless]

As far as contacting people, what about the local politicians in the area of the problem?

[kpih]

Good points. My 2 cents.

Typically activism fail because of both the external circumstances and internal deficiencies. Of course timing is everything. But more often activists and organizers fail to recognize the most practical and basic of organizational skills.

A clear and identifiable goal is critical. Most movements fail to set an unequivocal agenda that can be related to potential participants and translate directly to policy changes. Also it is conducive to coalition building and gathering of resource.

A stable organizational structure is also important. At least tasks do not fall on the same few individuals. Besides, people come and go.

Last but not least, leadership development within the organization. Mobilization of the masses to a large degree requires a leader figure.

[hooligan]

Long terms goals and ideals are important too. If there isn't an overarching goal that a group or a movement strives for, they often will find themselves aimless.

[nola]

The last group I was in stressed education, empowerment and creative activism. We educated people about root causes of injustice, inequality, apathy and fear. It was majorly kick ass and it took four years to join the Worker's Rights Consortium which monitored sweatshops that made the school's clothing, gave a living wage to the tomato pickers in Immokalee, FL for Taco Bell. Both campaigns made the top three campus victories in the annual Mother Jones magazine campus roundup. Prof. Kay told me most groups including the one I was in fail due to ego and possessiveness. Now one guy heads the group and the two other main guys have left because they were always fighting to be top dog. I think they're okay again but most of the old people have left. I hear they're now working on the Killer Coke campaign. Here was our kick ass mission statement:

We the students are in a unique position to act as a catalyst for democratic change in our social environment. We seek to expose and remedy the root causes of injustice, inequality, apathy and fear. We will accomplish this through education, empowerment and creative activism.