Diary: PROTEST ORGANIZING and PRESS RELEASES

I'm putting the talky talk right up front. Soooooooo, heeeeeeerrrre weeeeeee goooooooo!

Here is the press release I sent out Wednesday Feb. 14th. Feel free to use it, edit it, alter it to suit your group, (I do NOT care what changes you make) but ... I'm beggin' Ya -- send it, send it, send it.

The more times the media gets hit, the better chance they'll take notice. ESPECIALLY if they are getting MULTIPLE releases from different sources.

TO THE FOLKS IN CHARGE OF: A.N.S.W.E.R., Troops Out Now Coalition, UFPJ, After Downing Street. and others... This is only the first in a series that will UPDATE the media WEEKLY in perhaps a futile hope that they may (finally) get interested in our incredible stories.

The copy below was sent to over 400 MEDIA OUTLETS: The National media, all the wire services. Then with a revised header specifically to all of the Florida media. Print, Radio, TV, Listserves, and internet groups.

I know, I know, I didn't "get permission" first, but out it went anyway. All specific information was cut and pasted from the national web sites. I did not alter any content, nor provide information not publicly available on the internet.

A bit about why I did this.... I've worked in Media, Marketing, Advertising, and Public Relations for years. I have produced commercials, written ad copy, designed award winning print ads. Hell, I was once a media buyer with a million dollar budget. But the most important "credential" of all? I was the receptionist for a New York Times newspaper and most press releases or info packets had to go through my hands first.

I know, I know, "Official" Press Releases from National organizations have to follow a distinct format. "STAY ON MESSAGE" -- "USE THE CORRECT FRAME", blah, blah, blah.

As an individual and identified as such the release can have a first person POV and more freedom of "expression". I am not an official representative of ANY organization.

I am not a journalist (anymore), just an ordinary American with talent and too much time on my hands.

This event, THESE events need promotion, cross promotion, and blanket publicity. I'm just trying to get it done. Wanna help?

Oh yea, the second part of "I didn't ask permission"...

If you need an apology, it's easier than gettin' ya to say YES. Just let me know... LOL! ;-}

You can call me or e-mail to find out more or yell at me or something.

TIPS AND HINTS
Begin including the "COUNT" of people planning to participate in your event. You may, of course moderately inlate this number

Please be sure to POST IT with YOUR OWN contact info (e-mail, phone #) send it to ALL OF YOUR CONTACTS. Don't forget all the groups or blogs you belong to.

Beg 'em to pass it on, pay it forward, (The British are comming! the British are comming!) share, share, share.

If you are concerned about the patriot act, open a yahoo or gmail account specifically for this event. I have m17faithccarr@yahoo.com if the N.S.A. is interested!

SEND IT OUT. We are already considered marginal and unimportant. Maybe it's time to stop being so damned polite about it. Oh, yeah, send to to the right wing outlets too. Just imagine Rush Limbaugh mocking us, and letting the remaining 28% know there IS an alternative. That there IS something they can DO ABOUT IT!

All of that being said... here is the version I sent out to the national media, the wire services, and radio talk show hosts, national organizations, listserves, and well THIS on-line news service...

NEWS PRESS RELEASE -- FEATURE STORY PITCH
For Immediate Release/Consideration
NATIONAL NEWS with a LOCAL SLANT
Mass Resistance March 17th on the PENTAGON
NATIONAL ENDORSER WEBSITES for MORE INFORMATION
http://www.internationalanswer.org/
http://www.troopsoutnow.org/
http://www.unitedforpeace.org/ SPONSORING LOCAL ACTIONS - M17
http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/march17

This release ONLY
Contact Information: Faith C. Carr -- m17faithccarr@yahoo.com

NOTE: Faith Carr is a local organizer and does not have the authorization of any national organization to send this release.)

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Activists from all over the State of Florida are joining hands to END THE WAR IN Iraq! To give VOICE to our unfailing SUPPORT of DEMOCRACY.

Florida activists are reaching out to each other to GUARANTEE the maximum participation and maximum coverage of the NATIONAL CALL for MARCH 17TH to the PENTAGON. Experienced organizes are training new and younger activists in readiness for the battle ahead.

In FLORIDA, From Miami to Tampa/St. Pete to Daytona to Tallahasee, Transportation Coordinators are working together. We are also "cross promoting" the LOCAL actions of our hometown peace communites.

As additional local details become available the media will be updated.

We, the consumers of your product, are begging the MEDIA, to participate in our efforts to Stop the Surge, Stop the War on Iran. Stop! Just STOP, the disturbing and dangerous policies and proceedures of this administration.

We would like to include a JOURNALIST on every bus, car, train, plane, or bicycle, going to DC to cover the story of the FLORIDIAN's protest. From Rationale to Resolution. And please consider assigning someone to your LOCAL community activist news.

Cover this story from the START, be there for the FINISH.

Introducing the March on the Pentagon
Saturday, March 17, 2007
~ 40th anniversary of the historic 1967 march on the Pentagon ~
~ 4th anniversary of the start of the Iraq war ~
LINK TO THE NATIONAL ORGANIZING SITE; http://www.internationalanswer.org/

Here is the most current listing of the organization plans and activities around the State of Florida for the M17 - March on the Pentagon

Florida

Fort Lauderdale, FL
Broward Anti-War Coalition
CONTACT: fortlauderdaleplane@answercoalition.org

Ft. Myers, FL
CONTACT: ftmyersplane@answercoalition.org

Gainesville, FL
Florida Speaks Out
CONTACT: gainesvillebus@answercoalition.org
GAINESVILLE FLORIDA - TRANPORTATION-LODGING INFO

VEHICLE CARAVAN: $ 60.00 per seat
CHARTER BUS: $125.00 per seat ***** We need 54 riders*****
AMTRAK TRAIN: $224.00 per seat (you have to make your own reservation at
AMTRACK: http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/HomePage

ONE NIGHT (Sat) LODGING -- COST DETAILS BEING WORKED OUT
EXTENDED LODGING: $.65.00 for Six (6) nights
LINK: http://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/cabin-camping.htm

Miami, FL
A.N.S.W.E.R -Florida International University
CONTACT: miamiplane@answercoalition.org

Orlando, FL
Students for Democratic Society
CONTACT: Mark Kimbrell at orlandobus@answercoalition.org or 407 765 5945

Palm Beach County, FL
Bolivarian Youth
CONTACT: palmbeachplane@answercoalition.org

Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, FL
A.N.S.W.E.R.
CONTACT: tampaplane@answercoalition.org

More listings in Florida coming soon! Contact answerflorida@gmail.com or 954-707-0155 for details about transportation from throughout the state.

LOCAL ACTIONS -- FLORIDA for M17 -
Endorsed by United for Peace and Justice: LINK: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/
RSVP ? March For Peace And Justice
Saturday, March 17th 2007 4pm
March begins at the "Peace Corner" 1700 West New Haven Ave. (NE corner of U.S. 192 and Evans Blvd.) Melbourne Florida.

RSVP ? End the War in Iraq - 4th Anniversary Event
Saturday, March 17th 2007 4 pm
Saturday, March 17th, from 4:00 - 9:00 pm at Williams Park in St Petersburg near the Bay Walk.March 17 Rally - 4 Year Iraq War "Anniversary"
CodePink Tampa Bay, St. Pete Food Not Bombs, St. Pete for Peace, The Refuge, Tampa Bay Veterans For Peace, Tampa Bay 9/11Truth, Tampa World Can't Wait, NoNuke.org and numerous other Tampa Bay peace and social justice organizations will gather together to take a stand against war and occupation on the weekend of the 4 year Iraq war "anniversary". The rally begins at 4:00pm at Williams Park in downtown St. Petersburg. There will be bands performing until 7:00pm at which time there will be a drum circle until 7:45pm. A march through downtown St. Petersburg and a brief protest at Baywalk will go from 7:45-9:00pm.
For tabling and volunteer information, please go to http://stpeteforpeace.org/m17

More Information as it becomes available.

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