Organizing a Public Demonstration

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Organizing a Public Demonstration
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Public demonstration

• A group of people organized to call attention to
  a specific cause

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Goals of a demonstration

• Advocacy
• Support
• Protest
• Counter-demonstration
• Public relations
• Action

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Forms of a demonstration

• Marches/parades
• Rallies
• Picketing
• Sit-ins
• Vigils
• Street theater

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Why organize a demonstration?

• Other methods haven't succeeded
• Timing
• Have a public impact
• Energize your constituents
• Draw attention to cause

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Elements of a public demonstration

• Planning, planning, planning
• Lead time
• Communication
• Follow-up

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Planning

• What to accomplish
• What should happen
• Plan your program
• Day, date, time, and place
• How to get people to come
• Work out the logistics
• Pre-empt possible problems

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Lead time

• Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your goals
• Find the perfect venue far in advance
• Book any special guests far in advance

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Communication

• Design an effective communication system
• Develop a plan for publicity of demonstration
• Orchestrate media coverage
• Ensure good communication before, during, and
  after event

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Follow-up

• Immediate and long-term efforts should include
• Follow-up with intended audience
• Follow-up with constituents
• Publicity of success
• Media coverage
• Organization of other events
• Institutionalization