99 acts of revolution in 2012; #3 Join a movement

In keeping with my New Years Eve 2012 Resolution, I have dedicated myself to committing “99 acts of Revolution (big & small)”.  I have been very busy getting involved in all kinds of political oriented activities in just the first few weeks of 2012, so I feel that I am making forward progress towards actually accomplishing my goal Dec 31st 2012.

My #3 act of revolution is to Join A Movement.

I had already done this in 2011 when I got involved in the Occupy Grand Rapids movement on day 1 of the occupation (Oct 8th, 2011). I found myself with the opportunity to get involved in a movement again with circumstances surrounding the Jan 12th, 2012 visit from David Cobb of Move To Amend. David was holding a discussion on ending corporate personhood and the movement to do so through amending the US Constitution. The event was hosted by Occupy Grand Rapids and Fountain St Church. I covered the event for the Rapidian

 That night the first real snowstorm of the winter nailed Michigan pretty hard, which caused the cancellation of David’s next stop in Benton Harbor, MI. Taking advantage of the opportunity, a few local activist threw together an informal dinner part to discuss what was needed to put together a local affiliate of Move To Amend in Grand Rapids. 

"Mic Check" agit-prop art by cott Warren - Analog Mutant

The need for people to step up and institute Move To Amend: Grand Rapids  required that at some point, at least one of us would have to step up and take some leadership in setting a formal initial meeting,  picking a meeting place, making some calls & emails to get people involved and other basic actions and organizing.

When David asked who was going to be the leader, everyone kind of hesitated for half a minute. We were all a little scared to be the first one to take the reins of such a potentially large project. We all kind of looked awkwardly at each other for a few seconds, wondering who was going to be the one to say “I’ll do it”.

I knew that I had recently developed much of the experience in organizing information and resources to do much of the work that would be needed in the next few weeks, so I spoke up. I volunteered to be the “facilitator” in the group, to take a leaderful position, rather than the position of Leader. I didn’t want be “the boss” or work within a group that was rigidly adherent to hierarchical structure, so I proposed that my role would be defined as that of someone who “makes things happen” without being the supreme authority on anything.

Many of the skills that I discussed in  99 acts of revolution in 2012; #2 came in pretty handy. I created several social media sites; a blog, Youtube & Livestream channels, Twitter, an Gmail account. I also acquired a Google Voice phone number. This allows ONE phone number to reach multiple cellphones at once. If someone wants to contact Move To Amend; Grand Rapids, several people are available to handle that call.

Joining the Move To Amend coalition as an affiliate group meant that while there was much support in place, we still have a lot of information to catch up on, and in some cases, material that we have to create ourselves.

a Move To Amend; Grand Rapids flyer

 Some of the resources, such as the overall national agenda of the coalition, the pr materials, online content, national level organization of events are all there for us to take advantage of.

Other resources, such as our official process for decision making as a group is our own responsibility. Actively encouraging the inclusion of people from diverse ethnic, religious, social and political backgrounds in all levels of our organization is also something we have to implement and utilize. Even though we were part of a much larger coalition of groups nationwide, each group has the rights to determine how they will function on a local level, within the constraints of the overall movement.

Working within the framework  of the coalition, we also have the freedom, and the responsibility, to create our own events to draw attention to our cause and spread awareness of the issues.

In short, getting involved in a grassroots movement will definitely be a conduit for achieving much of my goal of committing 99 acts of revolution in 2012. This one act will have a positive impact on my life, and hopefully the live of others around me, and will open up new opportunities for me to fulfill my commitment for making the world a better place to live in 2012.

99 acts of revolution in 2012; #2 the PR campaign

It’s only the 2nd week of 2012 and I have managed to commit several small acts of revolution in my daily life. The fine art of managing a PR campaign being one of the more complex orchestrations that I have pulled off in awhile.

Below is a handful of actions to pull off a succesful PR campaign to build support and spread awareness for your cause. This is by no means a complete list, but is meant to be a source of basic ideas to get you started. If you are somebody that is new to the art and science of politics and activism, like myself, then maybe this will show you a few ways to get started.

First you set up your channels of communication…

This is a bit time consuming, but once you’ve done the work you are all set up for success in any future campaigns that you may launch. Assuming that you have an email account with a suitable name setup already (nobody will take you serious with a stupid email name!), begin by creating an email list to distribute your message. Search the websites of:

• local tv
• radio stations
• newspapers
• magazines
• relevant blogs in your community
• business associations
• unions
• political parties
• activist groups
  

  Grand Rapids "make room for progress" by Scott Warren

Get on the social media. Utilize it to distribute videos , images and articles you create. I write for the Rapidian (Grand Rapids, MI). but there are a ton of other sites out there will also serve you well. Take the time to set these accounts up, add some intelligent text, photos, and content. Cross-link all of your social media to each other. In short, take the time to make the sites correctly; Nobody will take you seriously with a half-assed profile.

• Facebook (example)
• Google+ (example)
• Twitter (example)
• Youtube
• Tumblr
• WordPress
• Newsvine

Second, you create some content…

Once you have your email and social media set up, you are ready to shotgun some serious content to the media, fellow activists, or whoever else you need to reach.

Hold an event - Envision and organize a rally, a march, a protest, stage some guerilla theater, lobby your City Council, a prayer vigil, feed the poor, plant a community garden…whatever it is you want to accomplish, symbolically or tangibly, create an action to make something happen.

Make a Flyer – It is preferable to use your own images, or those of friends, or at least stuff licensed under Creative Commons. Add relevant text to the image and distribute online and as printed flyers.

Start a Petition – Get on Change.org or some other site and create a petition. Use your flyer image. Here is one that I created in 2012.

Write an Article - Create an actual article to inform the public of the cause. Include your flyer images, links, petition, or any other original content. Utilize quotes from experts, cite sources. Include the 5W’s of basic journalism, and make sure to spell check/grammar check!

Get interviewed in the newspaper, radio or tv news – Have notes ready! Be ready to talk, and actively steer the conversation to push your agenda. If they aren’t bringing up the questions you want them to, then tell interject your points into the dialogue. Most importantly, don’t kill your message by forgetting key points that you need to make. Here is an example from a recent interview I did on the radio. GRTV hosts this great local IGE Talk Show that several local activist have regularly appeared on. My wife and I have been recognised by complete strangers in public that saw us on the show, so we know that our message is gettting out there.

My recent front page coverage sparked a ton of debate

Make a video – Interviews, coverage of events, a music video, straight up propaganda, whatever you create will be an excellent supplement to the other original content that you create. Videos will be more likely to generate interest in your material, and thus be more likely to get shared with others all over the web.

Write a Press Release email - Include links/attachments/reference to all media and content mentioned above (petitions, flyers, videos, articles). If you have material from other sources that relates to your subject, than include that material as well. Make sure that you give them a few quotes to include in their article.

 Make sure you get the 5W’s of basic journalism in there. Its more than the local media will bother to do, so you have to write the story for them. I am not kidding you here.

In 3 recent events that I was the major organizer of, MLive reprinted my entire PR email in one story, and used most of my material as significant portions of their coverage for the other two events.  This means that in those 3 articles, I wrote 50% or more of the content. Take advantage of media laziness. 

Make sure that you include your contact info in case the media wants to interview you, or if other supporters need to coordinate with you.

Launch the entire package to your media email list. Share it with your activists, supporters, and other organizations as well.

Be Your Own Media -  Make sure to document the event, get lots of photos, conduct interviews, capture compelling video, write an article about the event. Use this material to create original content covering your activities. You can’t count on the media to care about your cause, to cover it at all, or to even get the facts straight if they do bother to cover you. Do yourself a favor and be your own media. This will guarantee a minimum amount of favorable coverage.

Distribute your post-event coverage in the same ways that you distributed the pre-event releases. Distribute any material created by others, especially established media outlets.

Related articles

• Why Brevity in PR Will Get You Noticed (prbreakfastclub.com)
• 99 acts of revolution in 2012; number 1 Winter Biking (analogmutant.wordpress.com)
• New Do-It-Yourself PR Kits Offer Tools that Help Businesses Understand, Develop and Manage Comprehensive PR Campaigns (prweb.com)
• Occupy PR 2012 (prblognews.com)
• Good Writing Remains a Core PR Skill (bjconquest.com)

David Cobb of Move to Amend visits Grand Rapids

Originally posted in the Rapidian.org

On Thursday January 12th, 2012,  Fountain St Church will host David Cobb of Move to Amend as the next event in the Duncan Littlefair Great Speaker Series. Local representatives of Move to Amend and Occupy Grand Rapids are also co-hosting the event, focused on discussing the reasons for separating corporate money from politics.

 David Cobb will speak on the key issues of the Move to Amend campaign, an organized nationwide effort to create a 28th amendment to the US Constitution that addresses two serious legal issues threatening democracy in America; Corporate personhood and money being considered free speech.

Cobb will discuss how the proposed amendment abolishesthe concept of corporate personhood, or the legal fiction that corporations are people, and therefore have the same rights as people (often at the expense of actual people). The Supreme Court has made a series of controversial decisions over the last 125 years that critics see as cumulatively having an eroding effect on individual freedoms and the collective rights of communities in favor of corporate interests.  Environmental protection, occupational safety and labor rights, food and drug safety, consumer protection, and regulation of finance are just a few examples of the many  ways in which corporate personhood has negatively impacted the lives of millions of people in this country and abroad.

Grand Rapids "make room for progress" by Scott Warren

The concept of money being considered equivalent to free speech has had massive impacts on politics in the U.S., essentially allowing corporations to donate unlimited amounts of money to politicians. The lack of transparency in campaign finance and congressional lobbying obscures the true motivations of politicians who have become financially dependent upon corporate donations in order to remain financially competitive with other candidates for re-election. The current atmosphere in American politics has become that of the perpetual campaign season, where elected officials focus more energy and time on appealing to prospective campaign financiers than conducting the actual work that benefits the citizens of their district.

Occupy Grand Rapids

In addition to the grass-roots efforts to support an amendment to the US Constitution on a national level, citizens across the United States have been taking steps to address these important issues on a local level. City government in both Los Angeles and New York City have adopted resolutions declaring that corporations are not people. The state of Montana has recently reinstated their ban on corporate campaign contributions. This is seen by many as a major step in forcing the Supreme Court to address the issues by accepting the inevitable corporate-initiated legal challenges opposing the ban

for more information:

David Cobb/Move to Amend at Fountain St Church

7pm Thursday January 12th, 2012

24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI

Cost: absolutely FREE!

Hosted by: Fountain St Church, Occupy Grand Rapids, and Move to Amend

Members of Occupy Grand Rapids and Move to Amend are scheduled to discuss this event and the issues surrounding corporate personhood on Paleo Radio a locally produced talk show about politics, religion and culture, hosted by Jeremiah Bannisteron 95.3FM & 1680AM at 3pm-6pm on Wednesday January 11th.

Paleo Radio 95.3FM & 1680AM in Grand Rapids MI

Anybody wishing to participate in the discussion can do so by calling 616-656-1680 or by visiting the livestream channel online.

Related articles

• Abolish Corporate Personhood (vivalaveggie.wordpress.com)
• Citizens United Backlash Grows from Cali. to NYC Urging Congress to Overturn Corporate Personhood (gilroynews.wordpress.com)
• Mitt Romney Doubles Down On Corporate Personhood (crooksandliars.com)
• February 5, 2012 – Move To Amend Lecture (occupyventura805.wordpress.com)
• New York City Council to vote on ending corporate personhood (johnhively.wordpress.com)
• Occupy the Courts on Fri. Jan. 20 – Say No To “Citizens United” (occupycentral.wordpress.com)
• Abolishing corporate personhood: still stupid (truthonthemarket.com)
• Only Human Beings are Persons, Not Corporations: LA City Council approves motion against corporate personhood (talesfromthelou.wordpress.com)
• Update: Under the Big Sky of Montana (skydancingblog.com)
• You: Study Challenges Supreme Court’s Image as Defender of Free Speech (nytimes.com)

on evolving into a political creature…

Image via Wikipedia

Living in Grand Rapids has made me move closer to being a “political” creature. I’ve always cared about issues of social, economic, racial and environmental justice. I make a few small  gestures towards being a better person and making the world a better place to live in; buying organic food, mainting a (mostly) vegetarian lifestyle, vote in every election I can, recycle my trash, use public transportation, create articles and videos on topics I support. Lately I have found that all of these small things I have been doing are a good start, but that there are plenty more opportunities to make a positive impact in my community. 

In this city, it is easy to find small causes to care about, to meet people concerned about important issues, to have easy access to ideas and institutions (like GRIID) that are doing valuable work in the community.

"Mic Check!" by Scott Warren/Analog Mutant

My love affair with the Rapidian has definitely had an impact on my interest in politics and activism. Many of the people I respect most in Grand Rapids’ creative community have posted wonderful articles there, on a wide variety of topics.

Because of my proximity to all of these opportunities, and to the interesting people in the community that are focused on making some positive change happen in this world, I have found myself becoming increasingly engaged in activism in the community.

I attended a local protest in response to Israeli violence against a flotilla bringing supplies to needy Palestinians. Governor Rick Snyder‘s monkey business in Lansing sparked a series of protest actions across the state, including the one I attended at the WOOD TV studio when he held a “town hall meeting“. When Westboro Baptist Church threatened to protest the funeral of former First Lady Betty Ford, I wrote an article about  T.E.A.M., a local nonprofit that quickly formed a counter-protest to shield people from the ignorance of these inbred rednecks (officially a hategroup as per the Southern poverty Law Center)

general propaganda on Occupy Grand Rapids by Scott Warren

When Occupy Grand Rapids sprang up into existence, I leapt at the opportunity to cover  the story.  I quckly became immersed in the movement. I created articles, videos, and several social media streams to spread the word. I took part in rallies and marches. Eventually I started organizing some of the events. I generated PR kits and articles to promote the events, and even made some appearances on TV, radio, and the front page of my hometown paper!

For me, the positive feedback of my peers, and of the people in the community that I meet, means a lot to me. It gets me excited to make people take notice of something I feel is important. I love it when someone tells me that they really liked something that I created, that it meant something to them, that I persuaded them to see thngs differently.

Quite possibly, the only thing I like more than getting positive feedback is the the negative responses that inevitably come from people scared of change. For some people, seeing that you are doing something positive in this world only reinforces the fact that they’ve been wrong the whole time. Some people can not handle this, so they attack you, distort the facts, launch ad hominem attacks, correct your grammar, or just talk trash ad nauseum.  For a good(?) example of what i mean, the comments section after any MLive article (especially if it is about LGBT, minorities, welfare, etc)  is the de facto home of intolerance and hate speech in Michigan.

I’ve always said that it doesn’t matter what they say, as long as they’re talking about me I know that I’m doing something right.

I hope I make a whole lot more people talk smack about me in 2012!

Occupy Grand Rapids collage by Scott Warren

Related articles

• 7 Places the 99% Will Fight Back Hard in 2012 (alternet.org)

99 acts of revolution in 2012; number 1 Winter Biking

Voltairine de Cleyre

I am not the type of person who makes New Year’s resolutions. They frequently are meaningless… or selfish… or not sustainable… or just plain stupid.

This year however, I am making a resolution. Or more precisely, 99 resolutions. Events of the past year have inspired me, awakened my conciousness, tuned me in to a few new wavelengths. I have grown, educated myself a little, been inspired by the huge efforts of the little people that I am priviledged to encounter.

It is by the examples of others struggling to make positive change in this world that I recognize that I too have a role to play in making change happen.  It is by the small victories, the numerous tiny acts of rebellion that I can set an example for others. This is the year, 2012, that I will endeavor to commit 99 acts of rebellion, both big and small. In solidarity with We the People, the 99percent.

Whle I can appreciate the beauty in a good Molotav Cocktail, the kind of acts of rebellion that I am talking about are somewhat more constructive, positive in their nature.

 I will make flyers, music, movies and protest signs. I will choose to NOT spend my money on products that harm the environment, or further impoverish people in 3rd world countries. I will tell everyone I know to buy organic food. I will walk instead of drive my car whenever possible. I will attend as many protests as I can possibly make it to. I will organize a protest of my own. I will turn my bike into a “pirate ship” and sail the seas/streets of Grand Rapids wreaking havoc and chaos upon the bouroisie bankers and ceo’s. Think of the fear, or at least the confusion, that they’ll experience when they see the black flag and the cardboard’ “canons” approaching on their starboard bow!

In short, I will make the effort to make change. I will take stock of my victories, so that I may serve as an example for others. And I will learn from my failures (because they’re inevitably going to spring up at the worst of times!) so that I may grow and learn from them.

99 Acts of Revolution in 2012: #1 Winter Biking

In the spirit of revolution, it is sometimes necessary to suffer in the attempts to attain victory. Today, Jan 3rd, 2012 was such an occasion of suffering for the cause. 

Despite the fact that it was a mere 17 degress, and that the streets in my neightborhood are covered in a thick layer of chunky ice, I boarded my ship, the S.S. Voltairine de Cleyre (a.k.a. my 2008 Gary Fisher Marlin) and set sail on a southerly direction to destinations unknown (or more precisely, to my job at 44th St & Broadmoor)

It sucked. I was sliding everywhere, barely maintaning upright balance, or the ability to stop when needed. Huge chunks of ice threatened to topple me, the wind bit through my gloves and coat. But I did it anyways. I burned a few calories (and hopefully kept me a tiny bit healtheir in the long run!). I saved a gallon of gas. I kept some harmful pollutants out of the environment. And most importantly, I was successful.

I count this as only one act of revolution, even though I will make the journey hundreds of times this year, in all kinds of weather, good and bad.

One down, 98 to go.

Related articles

• Have You Heard of Voltairine De Cleyre? (socyberty.com)
• Resolution Revolutions… (briangoldsmith.wordpress.com)
• ‘The revolution begins in your wallet’ (analogmutant.wordpress.com)

At the Edge of the World – Analog Mutant Movie Review

At the Edge of the World is a documentary about an international team of activists who assembled under the name of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, putting their lives on the line and taking direct action against the illegal whale hunting expeditions from Japan. The documentary captures the third seasonal expedition into hostile environmental conditions in an effort to intercept an overwhelming enemy committing crimes against nature in the name of profits.

The activists (technically “pirates”, eligible for capture by any and all “lawful” nations) spend months tracking the Japanese fleet funded entirely by generous donations from the international community. Despite the financial support they receive, a laundry list of issues stack the odds against the Sea Shepard team. A lack of extensive training and/or experience in vital skills. Navigation & communication equipment that is inferior to what their opponents are using. The lack of crucial equipment needed for their work. Neither of the two ships that the Sea Shepard Conservation Society has are capable of competing on even grounds with the Japanese whaling fleet. There is no logistical or legal support support from any country to hold the Japanese accountable for their crimes.

Where the crew lacks in readily available resources, they improvise. They actually fabricated helicopter landing decks on both of their ships. This allowed for flexibility in their surveillance & support tactics. Homemade stink-bombs made from butyl acid and orange smoke signals create havoc on deck for the Japanese crews. Utilizing fast and agile “Zodiac” speedboats (like Navy Seals use), the activist can drop “prop-fouler” rope traps directly in front of moving ships, greatly diminishing any odds that the giant ships have of avoiding the traps. The mere sight of the sinister looking, hydraulic “can opener” mounted on the starboard side of the Farley Mowat should inspire that “I just shit my pants” feeling in even the most hardened crew member of the illegal whaling expeditions.

the Farley Mowat

This documentary should serve to inspire anyone interested in stopping the illegal slaughter of thousands of protect whales every year. But it also should be considered a good study in tactics that aspiring activists everywhere can embrace. The readiness to quickly improvise in reaction to the situation as it develops. The willingness to  think outside the box and invent ways to disable or disrupt the operation of the Japanese ships. The way that the teams embraces their “weakness” (smallness, agility, speed) against the “strong” fleet can translate to actions in your own city. The documentation of their tactics and the conflicts they engage in makes for compelling drama that will inevitably sway public opinion in their favor. Their are many lessons here to be learned for the aspiring revolutionary in each one of us.

At the Edge of the World is available on dvd at the Grand Rapids Public Library

Related articles

• Sea Shepherd anti-whaling ship damaged while chasing Japanese vessel (csmonitor.com)
• Anti-Whaling Vessel Damaged By Wave As Crew Battles With Japan Fleet (inquisitr.com)
• Anti-whaling ship in distress in the Southern Ocean (safewaters.wordpress.com)

Maziar Bahari’s lecture and book signing @ Fountain Street Church

Fountain St Church in Grand Rapids recently hosted a lecture by Maziar Bahari, author of “Then they came for me”, a chronicle of his experiences covering the historic 2009 Iranian elections.

Maziar Bahari @ Fountain St Church Grand Rapids MI 2011

Covering the elections as a reporter for Newsweek, Bahari witnessed bloodshed on June 20 2009 as widespread demonstrations broke out. “As a teenager in 1979 in Tehran, I was in these very same streets witnessing the Revolution” Bahari told the audience “Then 30 years later, in 2009, with the tension amongst supporters of Mousavi, the same things occurred in these same streets until the crackdown by Revolutionary Guard”.

Bahari was arrested at his mother’s house the next day, June 21st,  and taken to the notorious Elvin prison.

In a bizarre Kafka-esque scenario, he was detained and relentlessly interrogated for weeks. He was informed that the Iranian authorities knew that he was a spy, and that furthermore, they knew he was a spy working directly under orders from four separate agencies; the CIA, Israeli Mossad, British MI-5 and Newsweek. He was informed by his captors that “all American magazine editors are put in place by the CIA”.

Bahari’s work for the BBC and Newsweek were used as evidence against him. The Daily Show conducted an interview with Bahari in  a coffee shop in Tehran. Despite the fact that the show of Comedy Central is a satire program, the interview was used as “evidence” against him.

Bahari describes his time in captivity as an attempt by the paranoid, totalitarian Revolutionary Guard trying to find a scapegoat for the failings of their government and system of control. He never informed on innocent people as the Revolutionary Guard tried to force him to do

Eventually enough international pressure was exerted upon the Iranian government and US diplomats successfully negotiated his release.

In addition to his own personal story, Mr Bahari gave a brief history of the Iran/U.S. relationship over the last 60 years.

He discussed how Iranians at one time had a very positive view of America. Truman was seen as a hero for forcing Stalin out of northern Iran after WWII.

While the U.S. was worried about communism and growing Russian influence in Iran, the British were actively working to weaken and destabilize the current government. The Iranians were attempting to capitalize on America’s concerns

The CIA instigated the 1953 Coup de Tat and backed the Shah, who was seen as the figurehead of the American Empire (the newest in a long line of imperialist occupations) by Iranians

This was the start of a long history of human rights abuses and torture. The Shah became almost megalomaniacal in his totalitarian control over all forms of expression, and he began his mission to build up the Iranian Army into the biggest & best in the world. The U.S. simply wanted Iran as a launch pad for operations, and were not overly concerned with the actions and activities of regime

Eventually it all exploded with the infamous 1979 revolution. The Shah was removed from power and Iranian/American relations were radically altered.

In addition to the brief history of Iran/U.S. relations, clips from Bahari’s BBC doc were shown,  and excerpts from his book were shared with the audience. Afterwards a Q&A  session was held.

One attendee asked for Mr Bahari’s impressions of Occupy movement. Another asked if oil influenced the CIA decisions (Bahari previously cited the Red Scare as a major reason for the 1953 coup).

One gentleman asked about the hypothetical results of an Israeli attack. Bahri conjectured that the inherent nationalism in Iran would bring people together to rally around the government. The sense of national identity is so strong that even internal dissidents would be active in fighting on behalf of the Iranian nation.

Poverty in Iran was another topic discussed briefly.The discussion concluded with Bahari’s assessment on the positions of the U.S. in regards to Iran, and does the current situation mean inevitable war? Bahari essentially said that in his estimation, the Pentagon & State Department  were “not hungry for war” with Iran, and that there were still plenty of avenues to be taken in diplomatic relations.

Let’s hope he is right.

Related articles

• Maziar Bahari on the Iranian Jailers Who Tortured His Family (kambiz.wordpress.com)
• Iran ‘harassing’ relatives of journalists working for BBC Persian Television (guardian.co.uk)