Action Tips: Organize a Rally Outside a Tanning Salon

The FDA already requires that all tanning equipment come with a warning label, but you can make that message louder by organizing a rally outside a tanning salon and demanding that they stop targeting young people. If done properly, the community, politicians, and businesses will be sent a clear message.

Know Your Stuff!

• 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 and indirectly pressures public officials. It can also get you buckets of media attention so make sure you know what you’re doing!
• With that in mind, you should create a “rally team” to help you organize the rally. Hold a meeting to recruit people, convince your friends, do what you have to do get people on board.

Plan, Plan, Plan!

• 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.
• 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.
• Be prepared to clean up after the event.
• Perhaps most important of all, make sure you’re not breaking any laws.
• Contact reporters and media members a week or so prior to the event.

Spread the Word

• This may be the most important task. Get people to come!
  Use your Facebook, Twitter, e-mail, YouTube, everything to create buzz about your event.
• Create a “group” email list that includes your official and community group contacts, 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 Time

• 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 tip sheet.

The Day is Here!

• 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!