SHARE POWER Campaign – DAY OF ACTION!

Indigenous Peoples Day, Oct 8-12


Support communities in the Amazon affected by Chevron's operations. Participate in this Day of Action!


Protest against ChevronTexaco in Ecuador
Protest against ChevronTexaco in Ecuador
© Lou Dematteis

Join activists across the country and help raise awareness about the oil-related problems plaguing Amazonian residents. There are many ways to help during this day of action, individually or as a group. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to help others!

Days of action are a great way to increase public awareness, gather lots of signatures on petitions and letters, and increase support for your group and for your SHARE POWER campaign.

Look for groups planning events in your region or for groups that might be interested in planning a joint event!
It is always helpful to look for other events happening at the same time so that you can all benefit from the public exposure. Also check with organizations in your community that are interested in similar issues, such as human rights, the environment, indigenous peoples’ rights, etc. Plan an event together!

Tell the press! No matter the size of your event, you should always send a press release or notice to your local newspaper before your event. If you put PHOTO OPPORTUNITY in the header, your chances of press exposure will increase. Just make sure that whatever you set up is eye-catching and interesting. For ideas on how to write your own press release, visit Amnesty’s online Activist Toolkit.

GENERAL MATERIALS THAT YOU WILL NEED FOR ANY TYPE OF EVENT
Don’t forget to make copies of these materials regardless of what event you plan:

You can also contact our NYC office or your regional office to request Corporate Action Network brochures and stickers. Email corpaction@aiusa.org or call 212-633-4288.


IDEAS


Dirty Water Sale
Dirty Amazon water for sale outside Chevron's headquarters in San Ramon, CA. Photo by AmazonWatch.
Dirty Amazon water for sale outside Chevron's headquarters in San Ramon, CA.
Photo by AmazonWatch.
Additional materials:
  • Empty transparent bottles filled with water mixed in with dirt to give it a grimey look. Put the caps on.
  • A table (boxes covered with a cloth can work too!)
  • An attractive sign that could read “Get a drink of Amazon Water”, “Straight from the Amazon, ‘Fresh’ Water” or a catchy slogan of your choice.
Location:
You can set up your ‘Dirty Water’ booth...
  • near a Chevron or Texaco gas station or facility in your community (be careful not to block any entrances).
  • in a public park or plaza, where there will be a lot of people.
  • at a larger event, such as a concert or festival, as long as you have permission.
What you should do:
  • Approach passerbys and ask them if they would like a “drink of Amazon water.” Engage them and tell them how people in the Amazon are forced to drink this polluted water because of Chevron’s irresponsible operations.
  • Hand out Chevron fact sheets with more information.
  • Ask people to sign your petition or letter directed to Chevron’s Board of Directors.

* IMPORTANT: Make sure no one drinks from your dirty water bottles. And recycle them after you are done!


Hold a Screening!
Film screenings and “house parties” are great ways to educate people about what is happening in the Amazon, while providing them with effective ways to take action. You can also use these events to recruit new members to your group!
  • Request a copy of the “Curse of Oil” from the Corporate Action Network by writing to corpaction@aiusa.org
  • Download ideas for planning a screening or house party

Hold a Teach-in
Hold a teach-in
A teach-in is an educational session hosted by a group or organization to discuss an important topic. It is a chance to inform people about an issue and provide them with opportunities to take action. Thus teach-ins are meant to be interactive as well as informative. Participants at a teach-in should be encouraged to ask questions and discuss issues so that they can understand the topic clearly.

Hold a Vigil
One way to raise community members’ interest in human rights issues is to hold a silent candlelight vigil. Invite students, community members, and other ally organizations to call to mind the plight of the person or group of people your group is supporting. A vigil can also draw attention to another event that you have planned, such as a guest speaker or a video showing.

Use Chalking
Chalking sidewalks is a great way to publicize your group’s events or to raise awareness about an issue. You can use the messages and images that are part of a campaign or urgent action. Chalking should be done in strategic areas where people are likely to take note of writing on the sidewalk.

Use Street Theater
Protestors at a Chevron demonstration in San Ramon, CA. Photo by Amazon Watch.
Protestors at a Chevron demonstration in San Ramon, CA. Photo by Amazon Watch.
Street theater is an activity where members of your group act out a short story in a public location to educate passers-by about the group’s work. To draw attention to a particular issue, create a skit illustrating the issue you are concerned about. Street theater can be performed on a sidewalk, in a park, or on the street (if it’s closed off for an event), or other locations such as a hallway between classes. Costumes or other props can be used.

  • Get information on additional materials and guidelines about street theater.