The Grubs: Tips for a protest march - a PEACEFUL one!

OK, it seems that a protest march is on the cards. Can I be presumptuous and offer a bit of advice? Below are some of my own thoughts based on previous experience, with input from a contact in the UK whose advice I sought overnight.

* Make it PEACEFUL!! The moment someone steps out of line, you give the other side of the debate all the ammunition needed to discredit the cause.

* Beware of infiltrators whose sole purpose is to commit acts that discredit the genuine marchers.

* Exclude the usual rent-a-mob. Marchers carrying placards for The Left Handed Skateboarders Alliance Action Group and so forth. Focus on one cause only!

* A protest march can only go ahead with the permission of the police. A confident and respectable looking person in the group should approach them in order to sort out the date and route.

* Study a street map before meeting them and choose two or three possible routes, aiming to get maximum visibility. Try to avoid routes that go down back streets, and be ready at the meeting for the police to be awkward and try to steer you away from where people will see you.

* Find somewhere to finish. If it's a public place you will need a licence from the Licensing Department of the Council. (according to my information)

* The police will ask that they have only one person to liaise with up to the march and on the day of it, (according to my information)

* The police will usually insist on one steward for every 50 expected demonstrators, who should ensure the safety of the marchers. They must wear something that distinguishes them such as a fluorescent bib or armband.

* Allow plenty of time to promote your march. Advertise wherever possible - local papers, local radio, local TV. Press release the march details two weeks in advance to all local media. Press release again to everyone two days before the march. Try the national press as well!

* Don't make the march more than 2 or 3 miles and check the route to make sure there are no road closures. Make sure that the route doesn't present problems to young children, the elderly or disabled people.

* Hire or borrow PA equipment for the end of the march and arrange speakers. Make sure they keep to a short time (no more than 5 minutes per speaker) and NO RAMBLING. Keep to the point.

* Make it media friendly with plenty to photograph.

* Promotional material should be concise and eye catching. You usually have about two seconds to grab a readers attention. Remember the content should contain enough information to win others over to our cause. Think of the sort of questions you would ask if you were a "swinging voter" and address those issues.

* Do not use copyrighted material including graphics or images.

I was given some other advice along the lines of make sure children are at the front to gain maxim publicity. Personally, I have a problem with children being used as tools in this way - one child too many has already been used in that way.

If you want advice on how to handle bullying, spamming and threats, see Henry Dog 123 and Online Security" You can also email me if you run in to problems.

Above all - MAKE IT PEACEFUL!

I am prepared to use this blog to publicise the march provided I am given certain guarantees and I am satisfied with the organisation of the march. Sorry to sound pedantic!