First of all, *thank you* for stepping up to host a rally on Tuesday — this is a critical moment for the campaign, and you’re playing a key role in keeping the momentum going to stop the pipeline.
This should have all of key resources that will help you organize your event and make sure that the press and the President hear you.
Here’s a checklist of everything you need to make your event a success.
☐ Create your event in the Action Network by clicking here: https://actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/reject-keystone-xl-now
☐ Invite your friends and family to come to the rally
☐ Print signs – Sign 1 – Sign 2 – Sign 3
☐ Send advisory to press and make pitch calls
☐ Practice talking points
☐ Send photos of the rally to [email protected]
☐ Clean up afterwards
WHAT’S THE PLAN?
On Tuesday January 13th, people across the country will be holding evening rallies calling on President Obama to reject Keystone XL. These events will be simple, powerful, and maybe cold — we’re joining together to ask President Obama to live up to his promises by standing up to Big Oil.
Previously, the President has said he was waiting on the Nebraska Supreme Court to rule before making his decision on the pipeline. If his promises to evaluate the pipeline on its climate impacts mean anything, the decision should be simple: an 830,000 barrel per day pipeline of the world’s dirtiest oil is obviously a climate disaster.
Farmers, ranchers and tribal leaders continue to resist Keystone XL, and the pipeline still doesn’t have a permit in South Dakota. Let’s stand together to stop it once and for all.
SIGNS
Click here to download Reject Keystone XL Now signs for your rally: Sign 1 – Sign 2 – Sign 3
You can print these out on regular 8.5 x 11 paper (or larger, if you’re able), but also encourage your participants to bring their own. A handmade touch always helps!
SOCIAL MEDIA
It is essential that everyone at the rally Tweet, Facebook, Instagram, and otherwise document your event on social media.
When sharing, use the hashtag #noKXL so that everyone else around the country can see your event and your photos.
HOW TO SUBMIT A PHOTO
Every action should submit a photo after your rally.
How to take a photo that makes your action look its best:
1. Check the camera. Make sure that it works, someone knows how to use it, and that its batteries are fully charged. Use the best digital camera you can find, and ask someone with the most knowledge of photography to take the photo. If possible, organize a backup camera.
2. Gather your people. It’s crucial that you gather everyone together at your action for your photo – this is how we can show our leaders just how big this movement is. Think about a location where you’ll be able to capture a photo of everyone present.
3. Show us where you are. If possible, include local landmarks or typical surroundings of your area in your picture. If you live in a city, have some buildings in the shot, or if you live by the sea, let’s see some water. Be careful not to make the people and the signs too small in the picture, though.
4. Take more than one picture! It’s easy to take a few shots of groups, also from different angles or closer and further away. This will allow you a choice from which you can select your best images. Be creative with some of your shots!
5. Check the pictures. Most digital cameras allow you to instantly review your pictures. Make sure your pictures look OK before everyone goes home.
6. IMPORTANT: Send us your best image. We ask that you submit your best photos as soon as you can — just send an e-mail to [email protected] and follow the instructions below.Add your photos as attachments, making sure not to exceed individual photo size of 3MB.
- Submit only one photo per email.
- Use your city and state as the subject.
- The body of your email will be the caption for your photos. Include a compelling one-sentence description of your event and what is happening in the photo.
- Include any photographer credits in the e-mail body/caption.
- Send your email to [email protected]
PRESS
Here is a sample press release you can use to get the word out about your rally.
We’ve created a sample media advisory to help you get local news coverage. Download it, fill in the blanks with details about your event, and email it to local reporters in the morning on Monday. Follow up with calls to reporters and TV stations to ask if they saw the advisory and let them know it is happening.
Here is a sample press release you can use for your event – click here to download
Here are talking points for spokespeople – click here to download
For tips on reaching out to the media, you can use 350.org’s guide on how to get the word out here: https://350.org/resources/get-the-word-out/