Use your power as a media consumer to affect U.S. coverage of the War On Terror. Let the media-makers know that the Bush administration and its pundits are NOT representing the public’s opinions of the United States’ policies in Iraq. All U.S. cameras and reporters need to be present at the October 26 anti-war demonstrations so we can send a clear signal to this country’s leaders and citizens that we will not tolerate unneccesary war being waged in our name.
2002.10.24
On September 28, upwards of 400,000 demonstrators took to the streets of London to protest the approaching Iraq phase of the apparently unending War On Terror. Unfortunately, this–one of the largest public demonstrations of the past decade–received almost no press coverage in the United States ( http://www.fair.org/activism/london-protests.html ).
It wasn’t until the mainstream press was contacted by large numbers of outraged media activists that a reasonable amount of attention was paid to the massive anti-war rally ( http://www.fair.org/activism/iraq-responses.html ).
This oversight was egregious in its own right, but when coupled with the almost constant airing of pro-war views ( and the subsequent framing of the war ‘debate’ as When and How to attack Iraq, instead of whether or not an attack is morally or legally justified ) the result is a portayal of American public sentiment as monolithically pro-war.
As a result, most mass media consumers in this country likely feel very alone in any uncertainty they may possess as to the sincerity and honesty of the Bush administration’s current drive to continued war.
This Saturday, October 26, show the media–and all of its viewers and readers–that this is simply not true. Come out and demonstrate the magnitude of the rational and humanitarian element in this country.
And act now to prevent a recurrence of the lack of coverage we saw for the English peace march. Use your power as a media consumer to affect U.S. coverage of the War On Terror. Let the media-makers know that the Bush administration and its pundits are NOT representing the public’s voice on the United States’ policies in Iraq.
TAKE ACTION
Join the national march this Saturday, October 26: http://theexperiment.org/articles.php?news_id=1875.
If you can’t make it to San Francisco or Washington D.C., then coordinate with others to form your own demonstration: http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o26/index.html#list. Even a small protest will draw coverage, especially if you personally notify your local media.
Be sure to endorse the march, whether or not you can personally attend: http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o26/o26endorse.html#endo.
MAKE IT COUNT
Most importantly, make sure that all of the U.S. media are aware of the magnitude and passion of this anti-war movement. All U.S. cameras and reporters need to be present on October 26 so we can send a clear signal to this country’s leaders and citizens that we will not tolerate unneccesary war being waged in our name.
Write to your local papers and the majors, don’t forget the ‘alternative’ weekly newspapers: http://newspapers-usa.com/.
Also let your local TV and radio stations know of the big plans for this Saturday:
http://www.100000watts.com/listings.html.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _______
I am writing to encourage you to give substantial coverage to the major national anti-war demonstrations of this Saturday, October 26.
The people of the United States are not going to passively watch our elected officials wage an unjust and unneccesary war on the citizens of Iraq.
Our voice will be heard this Saturday and I hope that you will fulfill your duty to broadcast this call for peace to all of your viewers/readers.
For details of the planned marches, please contact event organisers at:
http://www.internationalanswer.org/campaigns/o26/index.html
International A.N.S.W.E.R.
(Act Now to Stop War & End Racism)
39 W. 14 St., #206
NY, NY 10011
(212) 633-6646
Author: Gabriel Voiles
News Service: Theexperiment.org
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