Action Tips: Organize a Rally for Your Cause

Rallies can be exciting and fun while bringing a large number of people together for a cause. There is comfort in being with many others who support the same cause and want to see change. Fliers, signs and speakers also enforce and raise awareness for the cause the rally is promoting in a very noticeable way. If done properly, the community, politicians, and businesses will be sent a clear message.

Purpose

Before any rally begins, it should be organized thoroughly and have a clear and useful purpose. A well-organized demonstration can attract media attention which can educate the public about your point of view, indirectly pressures public officials and increases the name identification of your cause. This, in turn, enhances your ability to acquire media attention in the future, if you so need it.

With that in mind, you should create a “rally team” to help in the organization of the event. Hold a meeting to recruit people, convince your friends, do what you have to do get people on board.

Plan it

Regardless of the size of the rally, a lot of time and effort goes into organizing any demonstration. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Start thinking about a day where most everyone who would want to attend can come. Try to avoid days where there are sports games, musical concerts, or tournaments.
• Pick an area that can hold a lot of people. Call your local police station to find out if you need a permit, or just to let them know what’s going on so they aren’t shocked when they do find out.
• Recruit a team of supervisors/staff/volunteers to help out.
• Make flyers and signs. Brainstorm with your team to come up with slogans for the paraphernalia.
• If there will be bands or guest speakers, who will they be and how will they be heard. Think: podium, speakers, mics, sound system, etc.
• Be prepared to clean up after the event.
• Perhaps most important of all, make sure you’re not breaking any laws.
• Contact reports and media members a week or so prior to the event.

Speak!

Consider having a powerful speaker at your event. A panel of inspiring, well-rounded experts add wide-ranging insights, stories and perspectives. They may serve to excite the crowd and get them going.

Spread the word

This may be the most important task. Get people to come!

The internet represents an essentially cost-free resource to educate people about the cause and create buzz about your event. Create a “group” email list that includes your official and community group contacts (including potential speakers), plus appropriate friends, family members and co-workers. Distribute strategic updates about your event to this group, and encourage them to forward your emails to people they know who'd want to attend.

Post flyers around the neighborhood, at community centers, on school and church bulletin boards. Everywhere!

Petition

You may even want to consider creating a petition for your cause that you can pass around at the rally for people to sign. Or you create one online – just don’t forget to attach it to your e-mails. For tips on how to write or start a petition, check out our tipsheet here.

The day is here

After all your planning and hustling, the big day is here. Make sure there's a schedule of events. Ensure that your speakers are ready and know how long they can talk. Make sure you have all the right permits and that the police are down with your peaceful assembly. Have flyers handy with some facts about your cause and create some extra signs for people to hold.

Have fun and speak out!