Get Prepared:
- identify Identify the purpose and objective of your event, as well as the message you are trying to conveynotify .
- Notify your local chapter chair and/or regional chair of your plans.
- Please also let the GWC co-chairs know what you have planned.
- Notify your city police and other officials of the vigilevent, this is usually required for marchesnotify .
- Make sure that your Country allows American residents to participate in public demonstrations. Some do not.
Ask for specific guidance as you think through any unique situation/complexities in your country. - Notify your local US Embassy or Consulate (the regional security officer (RSO) at a minimum) - be
- Be alert to security concerns, terrorist threats to large groups of Americans, etc.
- notify Notify local press before and after the event.
- use Use your DA social media platforms before, during and after the event; share fotosphotos, etc. on DA Facebook and Twitter
- consider meeting Meet ahead of time to make posters together, choose chants and/ or music, craft statements and discuss equipment needs. This will help shape the dialogue at the event.
- create Create a Democrats Abroad {your country} Global Women’s Caucus banner to carry.
- reach Reach out to Our Revolution and , Women's March and other local American groups to see if they would like to join in
- if If other groups are also joining, be clear about the message of DA find our specific DA Global Women’s Caucus message.
- Find a place to meet before and after the march
Choosing a location:
- Look for iconic spots in your cities/towns (main squares, in front of recognizable bldgsbuildings or monuments) or near the US Embassy or US Consulate.
- Do not demonstrate in front of local gov’t government offices– we’re we are not talking to local governments, but to ourselves and people of the world
- begin Begin somewhere where you talk with attendees to discuss goals of marchthe protest, and go over do’s and don’ts.
- Try to meet afterwards at restaurant or pub to continue the conversation.
Do’s:
- focus Focus on the positives – what we support: tolerance, equality, civil rights for all, economy that works for all, equal pay, family leave, quality affordable education, Obamacare/ affordable quality health care,
progress on climate and the environment, multilateral foreign policy, bridges rather than wallsand on . - Stress the positive even when articulating what we are not for, but in a positive way. We’re not for: walls, racism, sexism, cronyism, trickle down economics, unilateral unilateral foreign policy
- thank President Obama for his/our efforts and accomplishments
- follow the lead of Obama, Clinton, the DNC and accept the results of the election (although re-counts or audits are possibly being requested and may be in order in some states)
- point out that as , denial of science, brutality, press-bashing.
- Point out that as the loyal opposition we will stand firm, and we have the right to keep fighting for our values and common sense policies, .
We will try to achieve our policies, and to prevent implementation of policies harmful toUSAor to the USA or the worldforward to holding . - We will hold the Republicans in WH and Congress accountable as they are now responsible to govern.
- forward We will work to working to win back Congress in 2018 and the WH White House in 2020.
- We welcome all to join, including otherUScitizen organizations and nonnon-Americans, but our focus is on DA members/UScitizens US citizens talking about what we as Americans believe in and need to do in theUSA.
Don’ts:
- don’t Try not to focus on anti-Trump
- don’t question the legality of the election
- we’re Trump himself but rather “the Republicans” as a group.
- Stay away from “trouble-maker” groups and aggressive, profane demonstrators. Keep our DA message peaceful.
- We are not anti-USA
- don’t endorse NEVER endorse any local political party or candidate, likewise don't condemn any local political party or candidate
- don’t DO NOT invite any local political party or candidate to speak.