TIPS FOR PICKETING SCIENTOLOGY We have now picketed the Church of Scientology 3 times here in Arizona. I have also picketed previously for other causes. I thought it may be good to share what we have learned from the process, in case anyone in the future may feel the desire to picket. First you need to understand the rules of picketing. Local laws can differ, and it is especially different in other countries. So you will need to find out the laws and rules in your area. Contact the local police first for advice, so they can inform you or refer you to the proper authorities. I don't have the actual laws here, but the main points are don't be a pest and stay on public property (such as the sidewalk). By "don't be a pest" I mean don't block pedestrian traffic or a driveway, don't be too loud, just basically be civil and polite. Picketing also means that you are generally walking back and forth with signs, so if you wind up gabbing in a bunch for too long, this could be construed as loitering. Check out the place you will be picketing ahead of time. Consider where to park, for example. We went in my car and a rental car so the church PI's did not get the license plate numbers of the other picketers, and they know me already anyway. Also, consider restroom facilities, and refreshments if you don't bring your own water. Make sure an area you plan to picket is actually a public sidewalk or forum. Police Call the police about 3 days ahead of time, then about 24 hours ahead of when you will picket. Inform them where and when you will be picketing, and about how many people there will be. Hopefully you have already talked to them and gotten the rules of picketing. Attire We had bright yellow t-shirts with large red "SP" on the back. My sister said we stood out from about 3 blocks away because of the shirts. Another advantage to dressing alike is that I heard once that church members actually came out and picketed with picketers, only they had weird signs like "sponsored by Psychiatry" and stuff. If you all have the same "uniform" on, people can tell the real picketers from the church members picketing themselves. Basically, though, be neat and comfortable. Wear walking shoes. Remember sunscreen. Signs Signs should preferrably be computer generated for neatness, and 2-sided. It's best to use 2 signs and sandwich them, which makes it stronger in case of wind or whatever. My signs cost $5 apiece to blow up an 8 1/2 X 11'' sign I had made on my computer. Letters should be 3'' tall or bigger. Don't put too much on a sign. Ours said "Hands Off a.r.s.!", "Hands Off Internet", "$cientology Hates Free Speech", etc. Short and to the point. Get about a 2' long dowel maybe 5/8 or 3/4'' in diameter for the handle. You should have one color background and a contrasting ink for your letters. Test color combinations before deciding. Remember most readers will be quite a distance away. Equipment You should at least bring a camera. A video camera would also be nice, and a hand-held tape recorder goes well too. This way in case there is a claim of an altercation or something later, you can show what really happened. A cellular phone perhaps? Handouts No advice here. Just get to the point of why you are picketing with some concise points and evidence to support your complaint. I made up 90 handouts and used probably 20 in the 2 pickets, but there wasn't much foot traffic where we were. Media Contact the local radio, TV, and newspapers about a week in advance. It's best to mail or fax a press release of what is happening, why you are picketing, who you are, and where and when you will be picketing. Include a phone number for further info. Assumptions With Scientology, assume at least that they will take your pictures. Also assume your license plate #'s will be written down. Someone will come out to ask you what you are up to and will probably ask you to go away. If you are already on their list of "SP's" then also assume that you will be followed after you leave. Decide ahead of time on how to keep any picketers that wish to remain anonymous safe from the PI's. What to do Picketing means marching around with signs protesting something, so that's about all there is to it. Keep your handouts at the ready in case pedestrians or others want to know what's going on. Plan ahead who will talk to the media and how to explain why you are picketing. Make sure you don't block pedestrian or car traffic in any way. If Scientologists wish to come out and talk, some picketers should always be marching while some can talk. If you see private investigators, talk to them. Ask them what they are doing and who they are working for. Take their pictures. Get their license plate number. Summary All the above is just general information that no doubt may need to be revised to fit different properties and jurisdictions. But we followed these points and had a successful and peaceful time.