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
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
Contact the press with your success story and write an article yourself (make sure you send it to Farah so we can post it on the CODEPINK blog, PINKTank, and help you spread the word).
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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