I need some help/advice from those experienced in activism (and those who aren't).

[Avalux]

I've never organized anything by myself before but I'm ready to do it now - and I have all the time in the world. In fact, I've never been so motivated in my life.

Governor Rick Perry, in an incredible asshole move, has decided to not take the stimulus dollars for expanded unemployment benefits for Texans. He'll get away with it too because the state legislature will fall in lockstep and support his decision.

A little background on me - I am a single mom and was laid off on February 2nd after being solidly employed in this state for 20 years. I have had no luck thus far finding employment. When I heard Perry *may* turn down these funds a couple of weeks ago, I resolved that if he went through with it I would organize a group of unemployed Texans from all across this state to march on Austin.

Did you know Texas has the most homeless children of any state in the nation? With the economy in such dire straits, Perry decides to take a stand on something that would help people and maybe prevent more homeless children. I want him to regret it; I want it to be the worst decision he's ever made. There are a lot of angry people in this state and I want to tap into it.

So where do I start? How do I bring people together and plan a march?

ANY help/advice/assistance is very much appreciated.

:grouphug:

[Ian David]

1. FInd a school doing a production of Oliver Twist and recruit the actors to a protest.

Also, kids doing Annie.

[Avalux]

3. Geez. I didn't expect such a rude response. Sorry I asked.

:-(

[Ian David]

21. What are you talking about??

I thought my idea of having a bunch of kids dressed like they've walked out of Gov. Perry's Dickension nightmare stand outside his office was a good one.

Geesh!

If you don't "get it" then maybe you're not enough of an "it-getter" to be put in charge of organizing anything more complex than a tupperware party.

[Avalux]

22. Were you being serious?

If you were, I apologize. I interpreted your post as making fun of me. I am kind of emotional right now.

[Ian David]

23. Grrrr. n/t

[Avalux]

24. ???

Why are you growling at me?

[Dammit Ann]

2. Maybe try starting a website or blog?

Petition? You need to organize a contact list of like-minded individuals, so that any move you make is done as a group and therefore, hopefully noticed. Marches take lots of people.

[Dammit Ann]

4. Craigslist can be helpful, also.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Avalux]

5. Thank you

Craigslist is a great idea. I have some contacts within the state dem party but not sure if I want it to be partisan. :hi:

[Uben]

6. When I read he was not taking the money.......

....I thought of you and your plight. Sorry to hear you aren't having any luck finding employment. Perry is an asshole who thinks he is god's gift to Texans. In reality, he is just another Bush. Hopefully he is serving his last term in Texas politics!

[Avalux]

9. Very kind of you.

I'm in a very specialized field and there isn't anything out there. What if I can't find a job in the next 3 1/2 months? I will lose my home; it will be horrible. I think I will but I worry - worry about others too. The economy is so bad with more and more people losing their jobs every week.

I am going to do everything I can to make sure he isn't re-elected in 2010.

[roseBudd]

How far away are you from Governor Perry?

Perhaps you could war a sandwich board and Cindy Sheehan him. In a situation like that you may get media and not need a large number of people to be noticed.

You can also communicate your message via Freeway Blogging, hanging signs on overpasses where a lot of people see them before they come down

[Avalux]

16. About 75 miles away -

in San Antonio, so not too far at all. What you suggest is certainly a possibility; I love the idea of freeway blogging.

[Uben]

25. Me too!

I live aboout 60 miles north of Dallas in a republican stronghold. The rhetoric has dulled considerably the last few years mainly because of the incompetence of Bush and Perry.

Aren't you in the medical field or something related? I don't know why I think that, maybe something you mentioned. Anyway, the greatest number of jobs listed around here are nursing jobs. We have a great nursing program at our local community college and people advertise here in hopes of plucking some of the graduates. The casino just across the border in Oklahoma has really helped the local economy by raising wages and providing good paying jobs.


You would think Perry would do everything he could for those unemployed in Texas, but I think he's still pissed that the Trans Texas Corridor deal didn't go through. I think he was heavily vested in that and locals here were vehemently against it (didn't like government taking their land). I think Kay Bailey Hutchison will give him a run for his money next election, but I hope we can get a strong dem candidate running against her. I don't like her either.

[Venceremos]

7. Newspaper ad

although it may have a fee depending on the ad size, etc. I wanted to organize people against some draconian rules our school district was trying to impose a few years ago. I took out a half page ad in the local paper to find like minded people to oppose it. The editor gave me a big price break because he was a like minded person.

[Avalux]

13. Thanks - I may do that.

Might try my local community paper to find people close to me.

[lunatica]

8. Here's a good activist link from the University of North Texas

The good news is that you don't have to start a group. There are plenty out there and by joining one you make it stronger. I bet a lot of activist groups start pooling their resources against your governor. These times will truly bring people who struggle as a group together.

http://www.library.unt.edu/govinfo/browse-topics/government-and-politics/politics/u-s-political-parties-and-activist-groups/

[Avalux]

11. This is great - thanks so much. n/t

[roseBudd]

10. I am using a secret group on Face Book to organize and communicate with my group...

It is a writers group and I have been using an MSM web site since July to fight the smears and attack the opposition.

I friend liberals on Face Book and then invite them to the secret group. The secrecy means Republicans or employers have no idea what we are up to.

PM me to become my Face Book friend & I'll invite you to the group so you can see how it works.

I have a fair number of DU Face book friends and will make introductions too.

[Avalux]

14. I will PM you later this evening.

Thanks. :hug:

[bread_and_roses]

12. What community action organizations exist in Texas?

I am not familiar with Texas, but there must be some community action group? A quick google gives me http://www.tacaa.org/ which would be the old "anti-poverty" agencies from the Johnson days. They may or may not engage in direct actions around Legislation, but it is a good place to start - someone there will know who are the "activist" orgs/groups near you. Organizing a State-wide action if you do not have organizing experience is a tall order - not impossible, but hard. And you will need allies anyway, because it's about impossible for one person to do all the ground work necessary for an action on that scale. So, I suggest finding some person/group/org that has experience doing issue organizing, and getting at least some mentoring and contacts. Usually, groups are beside themselves with joy at finding a new person willing to do ANY work, and to find someone willing to be a lead is like gold. Good luck, I hope you let us know how it is going.

[Avalux]

15. Thanks for the valuable info.

And don't worry - I will definitely keep everyone here posted on my progress. :hi:

[roseBudd]

17. Try this one

http://www.ipjc.org/

Intercommunity justice and peace center.

We have a chapter in my city and they are at the forefront of progressive activism.

[rucky]

18. Why re-invent the wheel?

Run it by your local ACORN chapter first. They're pros at organizing for issues just like this one.

[Avalux]

19. That's why I asked!

Because I really am clueless about this sort of thing. Thanks for the suggestion. :hi:

[rucky]

20. We've got your back.

keep us posted, and I'm sorry for your asshole governor.