In a previous post I mentioned setting up a small anti-war protest. I've been thinking about that a little bit again today. Well, the plans for that are slowly solidifying in a different form than previously intended--this is a good thing though. It's not going to be an anti-war protest anymore. I've discussed the issue in depth with some other comrades: we decided that holding a series of public meetings, rather than a demonstration, would be a more efficient means of communicating the message of the Socialist Equality Party.

We've decided to postpone further actions until colleges are back in session.
My feelings are that our target audience should be the discontent college students, the elderly, trade unions, workers, women, and minorities. Our election campaign, while small, is presenting an alternative to the two party system for the broad masses of people. The two party system has caused a cul-de-sac in the American political arena.
Both the Democrats and Republicans serve in the interests of big business, and are pro-war.
The masses of working people are ostracized and alienated under the current political set up.

First, we need a cadre of disciplined, dedicated socialists to form a work group.
We need to get five to ten reliable workers, who are likely to stay past the first few meetings. This will be our core group, which will be expected to know what is going on with the group at all levels. We can continue to work on any number of projects. A small group of disciplined Marxists can accomplish a lot. We need to get 3 or 4 more people, and then start having routine study groups/meetings to discuss tactics?

Attracting potential listeners, Organization, Recruitment

*Find spaces to hold meetings. Cheapest possible price. Ask for donations at door. Space should be able to hold about 75 people?
Public address system.

*Convince people to attend a meeting by one on one contact. If people are asked directly to come to a meeting, then they are more likely to attend than if they simply hear or read about it without being put on the spot for a commitment.

*Having a petition or sign-up sheet will be invaluable for follow up calls and mailings.

*Mail a letter or postcard about a meeting, followed by a phone call reminder.

*Leafleting or setting up literature tables at speaking engagements, concerts, meetings, film showings, shopping centers, demonstrations, and so forth will aid in increasing our attendance rates.

*Registration week on college campuses should be a very critical time for reaching people.

*Placing an ad or announcement for a meeting in a newspaper, on the radio or community billboard, or simply postering key locations with fliers can be useful to draw people, but don't rely on these methods to act as more than a reminder.

The meeting

*Free beverages and snacks

*Write and follow an agenda

*Brief introductions

*issues
-- Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel
--Exploitation
--Attack on living standards
--Democratic rights
--Political backdrop: two major parties and their interests
--Aims of SEP