[PAA-Discuss] Need Houston help for Save Darfur campaign

[Alyssa Burgin]

Friends in peace--

I'm part of the Save Darfur Coalition core here in San Antonio, and
we're desperately trying to get help in Houston to co-ordinate this.
If you can help, or can think of someone who could, please contact
Susan Smylie, sesmylie at earthlink.net.

Thanks,

Alyssa Burgin

Original message:
Does anyone have a contact in Houston who is working to help the
people of Darfur?  Or, would someone be willing to coordinate a vigil
at the Chinese Consulate in Houston for week after next?   I was asked
to participate in a conference call with Save Darfur yesterday on this
issue (they apparently don't have any active contacts in Houston,
which surprises me.)  I cannot coordinate the effort--I have conflicts
the week they want to do it.  Here is what is required:

Make an appt with someone at the consulate to drop off a petition.

Pick up the petition, in book form, from a Kinko's somewhere near the
consulate (Save Darfur will arrange for the book to be there--you just
have to pick it up.)

At 11:30, take the petition to the consulate

People will start assembling around 11:50, with the vigil beginning at
12:00.  Signs will be provided by Save Darfur (I am a little unclear
on this part of it--I think maybe they are just sending Word files and
we will print them out.  They are 8 1/2 x 11.)  The signs will say
things like Peace, Hope, etc.  Half will say Save Darfur, so they will
be dispersed among the Peace and Hope ones.  Those will also have the
Chinese character for that word on them.

Save Darfur will also provide 1/4 sheet handouts to give to people
passing by (again, I think these will be printed locally).

They want someone to make a speech  They are going to try and arrange
for someone prominent to do this, but it may need to be the person who
is arranging everything.  They will provide a draft statement that you
can modify if needed.  The topic is simply asking China to use their
position to help the people of Darfur.

They also want us to contact local media to try and get coverage.  I
think this would be the hardest part for someone from here to do, as
we don't have the media contacts in Houston that we have locally.

They expect this to be a small event, with attendance of 25-50 people.
They will be sending out info about the events from their mailing
list, so they expect to be able to generate the crowd.

They are doing this in all 6 cities that have either an embassy or consulate.

They want the actions to take place on July 26, but the 25th or 27th
would also work.

So, let me know if you are interested in coordinating or know someone
in Houston who might do it.  It sounds pretty easy compared to other
efforts, but still will require some time.
Susan Smylie
(edited for corrections)