1. 1. Assemble a small group dedicated to preserving the right to dissent by protecting dissenters engaged in acts of civil disobedience which are NON VIOLENT and PEACEFUL. Preferably at least one member of your state's legislature (with a staffer dedicated to guiding the bill); at least one or two lawyers, preferably including someone for one or more of these orgs: ACLU, ADA, Lawyers groups, etc., and a couple of caring and concerned activists, and a publicist or two.
   
   
2. Determine a course of action: how you will move ahead to round up support for the bill, who will write it, who will do research, who will work on publicity (getting on talk radio shows, newspaper articles and editorials, and letters, etc.).
   
   
3. Brainstorm and begin contacting groups which might support such legislations (workers, activists, religious organizations, peace groups, environmental groups, legal groups, farmers, teachers, etc. etc.)
   
   
4. Create a website that gives people info, a place to comment, and a place to register support. Have a way to capture their email addresses for when support is needed (emails and calls to legislators, governor, etc.). You may use your own name, or create a site www.justdissent(yourstate).org.
   
   
5. Attend political meetings and gatherings, anti war rallies, anyplace where protests are occuring, hand out flyers, get signatures for adding to the email list.
   
   
6. Find local people in the state whose rights have been threatened or who have been mis or badly treated by authorities while in peaceful encounters during protest....people willing to testify in your legislature, and go on radio and TV shows.
   
   
7. Make sure EVERYONE understands the difference between DISSENT and CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE. AND between PEACEFUL/NON VIOLENT and aggressive, hostile, clearly provocative behavior (which would not be protected.) CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE means willingly breaking a law (sometimes one that is unjust) in order to call attention to a wrong, an injustice. It also means willingness to accept consequences for such acts (the California bill recommended a $100 maximum fine and a max of 2 days in jail). That is not enough of a penalty to deter protesters; but it is enough to draw media attention and show serious concern. And we want to prevent huge fines and long jail terms for people as threats to keep people from protesting injustices.
   
   
8. Notify www.justdissent.org of your movement so we can help publicize it and help promote synergy among various state groups. (Call Lance Webster at 213-680-7805).
   

Thank you for helping expand the fight to project our rights!