one sign encourages cars to honk to show support. This will help attract your MPP’s attention. Have a sign-making party or post suggestions. Bring materials to make signs to the rally, allowing for some onsite inspi- ration. Keep them for your next action.
6) Promote. Promote. Promote. Send out invites via email. Call your friends; personal invitations go a long way. Create an event on social media and share the link. Ask people to share the event through their social media accounts. Add news articles and links connected with the issues to the site and keep the activity strong right up to the day of your event. Share pictures (with permis- sion of course) preparing for the event and share pictures of the rally once it happens.
7) Invite the media. Connect with local newspapers and TV stations. Write a media release that details the issues and your response to government cuts. Make some noise. We used a Bluetooth speaker and provided hand drums to participants who were willing to play along.
8) Contact your local MPP. Invite them to meet with you and your group at the rally. Be prepared to counter their talking points and designate one of the organizers to be the main point of contact.
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR ORGANIZING A RALLY
Organizing a rally at your local MPP’s office is both possible and effective. Local MPPs rely on constituent support to get re-elected and can put pressure on the government. Protests by parents, educators, students and others already forced the government to back off on a number of issues. You do not need to be an experienced activist, profes- sional relations wordsmith or released of- ficer to organize a rally.
1) Know the issues. Follow the news and learn the policies and changes being put into effect. Read up on ETFO’s building blocks for public education and sign up at
BuildingBetterSchools.ca. This will help you answer questions posed by the MPP, or the MPP’s staff, and counter their arguments.
2) Connect with local groups organizing for public education and broader social issues. There are many local groups of parents,
34 ETFO VOICE | FALL 2019
healthcare professionals, 15 and Fairness organizers, labour councils, other teacher locals and secondary students looking to en- gage in political action against the austerity measures of this provincial government.
3) Connect with your friends, family and colleagues. Discuss the devastating impact these cuts will have on their lives too. If you take leadership by sharing how the cuts have impacted you and your students, others will hear you and be more likely to share their stories.
4) Pick your date. Consider weather (if possible), holidays and other actions hap- pening. Your MPP may be hosting events you might consider attending, fundraising dinners for example. Try to pick a date when your MPP will be available in the constituency office.
5) Make signs. ETFO-made signs are great, but the best signs at a rally are the ones made by those attending. Ensure at least
9) Safety first! If you anticipate a large group, you may require the local police to provide road safety; they can block a road for you during the protest. You can lawfully take up space and make noise on public property. Consider water filling stations, umbrellas and hats.
10) Designate one person as a greeter. It can be intimidating for folks who haven’t been to an action before to walk up to the group. Make joiners feel comfortable and welcome and ask them to share their con- tact information for future events.
11) Plan for follow-up actions and stay connected to the people who met through your organizing. You may prepare a petition to present to your MPP after the rally or request a meeting to discuss the concerns of your group.
Everyone can make a difference and you
have the democratic right to protest. Have a great rally! n
Michaela Kargus and Carolyn Proulx-Wootton are members of the Grand Erie Teacher Local.
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