While there’s been much discussion about the
dangers of drones being used in the US by law
enforcement and other government agencies, only
a few cities have passed resolutions to regulate
their use or impose a moratorium until such regulations
are in place. Restricting the use of drones in
our communities is important for our privacy and
our safety. It’s also important to make sure that
drones used here at home are never weaponized,
like they are overseas.
Let’s build the momentum! Learn how you can
get a resolution passed in your community now
by following these easy steps.
Check out the toolkit!
5 Simple Steps on how to Pass
a Resolution!
Step One – Research
-
Watch this step-by-step
video on why and how you can get these
resolutions passed.
- This
draft resolution is less restrictive than
some of the others, and therefore might be easier
for you to pass, but each resolution goes through
many iterations before it gets passed, with
individual Council members adding and taking
away certain clauses. These resolutions are
mostly symbolic, so don't get too caught up
in the wording. The most important thing is
to pass something that shows popular discontent
with unregulated domestic drones.
-
Strangely enough, more states have passed
legislation than cities. Check these websites
(ACLU
and INSCT)
to see if there is any legislation that has
passed or is pending in your state. It will
help to convince local officials if there
is already state-wide concern (and you can
try to make your local resolution stricter
than the statewide legislation).
-
Check out these other links for good resources:
Step Two – Organize
-
Make a list of names of people and organizations
in your city that might be interested in this
campaign. Pick a date and time for a meeting.
Call each person and convene a meeting to
kick off the campaign. Depending on your city,
this could be a public meeting of 30-50 people
or just a small meeting of a few interested
people.
-
Tell
us about the meeting and we can help you
contact other CODEPINKers in your city! Post
it on the CODEPINK action
calendar.
-
At the meeting, divide up the following
tasks:
-
Choose one person to facilitate and another
to take notes.
-
Choose a resolution that is appropriate
for your community. Here is what other cities
and
states are doing. Take a look at what
was passed in
Syracuse, NY.
-
Contact elected officials. During the
meeting brainstorm the potential supporters
on the city council or supervisors. Identify
the best member at the meeting to connect
with each council member. (Contact information
& list of council members should be
available on the city website online.) You’ll
need to identify one or two council members
who can help you introduce and push the
resolution.
-
Outreach to the broader community, building
a support network in your city with like-minded
groups. You might want to have a sign-on
letter that shows broad support. Think of
organizations that are concerned about civil
liberties (civil rights groups, groups representing
oppressed communities), faith-based groups,
libertarians.
Step Three – Take action!
-
Make appointments with the City Council
or Supervisor members you think will be most
sympathetic (in some cases, you might want
to approach the County instead of your city).
Bring them copies of a sample resolution and
if possible, a letter showing broad-based
community support.
-
Follow up to make sure that one of the elected
officials will put the resolution on the agenda
of the next council meeting. If it is difficult
to get the commitment, you might have to get
other people and organizations calling that
council member’s office. Prepare a sample
script for people to use when they make calls.
Step Four – Get the votes
Step Five - Prepare for public
comment
Step Six - Show community
support at the meeting
-
On the night of the meeting get as many
people from the peace community there as possible.
Organize a rally before the meeting outside
of City Hall. Invite
the press and use this sample
press release. The more support you can
show, the more pressure your elected officials
will feel to listen to their constituents.
Step Seven - Follow up
We’re making this sound simple, but it’s not
always easy --or successful. Whether or not you’re
successful in passing the resolution, just the
attempt itself will help spur a critical dialogue
that will educate your community and put the industry
on notice that the public is watching!
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