Hi Folks. Now more than ever it's time to keep up the pressure and show the Legislature that we:
To this end, GOAL is organizing a "rolling rally" scheduled for Sunday August 28th. The plan is to meet up someplace, follow a symbolic route somewhat close to (or on) the Battle Road - also known as Route 2A - through Concord, Lincoln, Lexington, and Arlington.
The muster and end points are TBD, but they don't necessarily have to be right on this route, but should be somewhat close to it.
We're in the planning phases now. We're working on Start and End points, but it would be good to have a backup if our plans fall through. Our thought was to get a couple of food trucks to show up at our end point, and the participants can hang out and have some chow.
To encourage full participation and volunteerism, we're thinking about handing out tickets to the participants and volunteers at the start, and drawing a lucky winner of a Cabelas gift card at the end - where the winner must be present.
Here are some additional details:
Our audience will be state legislators and "regular" (non-gun) people. We want to try to draw attention to this travesty, win some hearts and minds, and show some people that we're not going to forget about this.
Our message should be something that appeals to our audience (above). Gun people are already firmly in our camp, so we don't have to make this about guns. Legislators that might be sympathetic to our cause, but hail from anti-gun districts need to have a reason to get on board with us. Therefore our messages should be that:
Any signage should reflect these points. American and Gadsen flags are fine, but you should probably leave the rebel flag at home for this one (Yes, I know the history - but we have about 3 seconds to make our point, and that'll make the wrong one).
We have to use our heads. We could save 100 babies and cure cancer during the rally, but if there's one picture of the AG with a Hitler mustache, the press will focus on that and make us look like clowns.
FYI - Jim Wallace is working with a former state cop to arrange police details for this event.
Here's what we need:
A name for this event. Every time I hear the words "Rolling Rally", I hear them in Mumbles Menino's voice, which ain't good (God rest T.M.). We'd like a catchy name that reflects the message above. Something like "Drive For Due Process" would be good, but "Kooky Kalashnikov Konvoy" would be bad. I'm hoping someone here can channel Larry Tate and give us a good name/slogan. We spent too much time on this last night and came up empty.
Start and End points - We're already working on some places, but if they fall through, we could definitely use some ideas for backups. Wherever it is would have to have room for about 200 cars, and let us place porta-potties, bring in food trucks, and hang out for a while. The start and end point could even be the same place and the route could be a loop.
Public Relations - GOAL does not have a PR person (or consultant) any more. If any of you have PR experience, we want to get as much press for this as possible. I mean in a good way. Let us know how you can help. This is very important.
Food - If any of you know people with food trucks, see if they'd be interested in showing up at the end. We could also BYO if the venue allows it.
Porta-potty rental - Every once in a while, you have to drop 2 in a hurry. Hopefully, someone can recommend a good rental place for porta-potties.
Trash removal - We want to leave the finish line as we found it. That means we need to remove all traces of us when we leave.
Cash donations for a gift card to be given away at the end - The more we get, the bigger the prize.
Traffic control volunteers - We're going to need about a dozen volunteers to help stage and launch people at the starting point, and do the opposite at the other end. You get bonus points if you can bring your own orange vest.
Communications - An NES member on the planning committee is going to be the point man on this (I'll let him identify himself in this thread). If you're a mobile HAM operator and plan to participate in the rally, let us know.
I'm sure there are other things that I've forgotten. If so, I'll add them in.
Please volunteer and/or indicate your participation in this thread.
A. Won't forget about this
B. Can organize quickly
C. Are still pissed off
B. Can organize quickly
C. Are still pissed off
To this end, GOAL is organizing a "rolling rally" scheduled for Sunday August 28th. The plan is to meet up someplace, follow a symbolic route somewhat close to (or on) the Battle Road - also known as Route 2A - through Concord, Lincoln, Lexington, and Arlington.
The muster and end points are TBD, but they don't necessarily have to be right on this route, but should be somewhat close to it.
We're in the planning phases now. We're working on Start and End points, but it would be good to have a backup if our plans fall through. Our thought was to get a couple of food trucks to show up at our end point, and the participants can hang out and have some chow.
To encourage full participation and volunteerism, we're thinking about handing out tickets to the participants and volunteers at the start, and drawing a lucky winner of a Cabelas gift card at the end - where the winner must be present.
Here are some additional details:
Our audience will be state legislators and "regular" (non-gun) people. We want to try to draw attention to this travesty, win some hearts and minds, and show some people that we're not going to forget about this.
Our message should be something that appeals to our audience (above). Gun people are already firmly in our camp, so we don't have to make this about guns. Legislators that might be sympathetic to our cause, but hail from anti-gun districts need to have a reason to get on board with us. Therefore our messages should be that:
1. The AG has put working families at risk
2. If it happens to us it can happen to you
3. The AG has deprived 300,000 citizens of due process
2. If it happens to us it can happen to you
3. The AG has deprived 300,000 citizens of due process
Any signage should reflect these points. American and Gadsen flags are fine, but you should probably leave the rebel flag at home for this one (Yes, I know the history - but we have about 3 seconds to make our point, and that'll make the wrong one).
We have to use our heads. We could save 100 babies and cure cancer during the rally, but if there's one picture of the AG with a Hitler mustache, the press will focus on that and make us look like clowns.
FYI - Jim Wallace is working with a former state cop to arrange police details for this event.
Here's what we need:
A name for this event. Every time I hear the words "Rolling Rally", I hear them in Mumbles Menino's voice, which ain't good (God rest T.M.). We'd like a catchy name that reflects the message above. Something like "Drive For Due Process" would be good, but "Kooky Kalashnikov Konvoy" would be bad. I'm hoping someone here can channel Larry Tate and give us a good name/slogan. We spent too much time on this last night and came up empty.
Start and End points - We're already working on some places, but if they fall through, we could definitely use some ideas for backups. Wherever it is would have to have room for about 200 cars, and let us place porta-potties, bring in food trucks, and hang out for a while. The start and end point could even be the same place and the route could be a loop.
Public Relations - GOAL does not have a PR person (or consultant) any more. If any of you have PR experience, we want to get as much press for this as possible. I mean in a good way. Let us know how you can help. This is very important.
Food - If any of you know people with food trucks, see if they'd be interested in showing up at the end. We could also BYO if the venue allows it.
Porta-potty rental - Every once in a while, you have to drop 2 in a hurry. Hopefully, someone can recommend a good rental place for porta-potties.
Trash removal - We want to leave the finish line as we found it. That means we need to remove all traces of us when we leave.
Cash donations for a gift card to be given away at the end - The more we get, the bigger the prize.
Traffic control volunteers - We're going to need about a dozen volunteers to help stage and launch people at the starting point, and do the opposite at the other end. You get bonus points if you can bring your own orange vest.
Communications - An NES member on the planning committee is going to be the point man on this (I'll let him identify himself in this thread). If you're a mobile HAM operator and plan to participate in the rally, let us know.
I'm sure there are other things that I've forgotten. If so, I'll add them in.
Please volunteer and/or indicate your participation in this thread.
