Opinion - How to Organize a Fascist Event

How to organze a Pro-Fascist Event

Your event can be as simple as three or four people standing outside of your Representative’s office, or on a corner, holding signs to show where you, as good Americans, stand on an issue. Or your event can be much more involved, to include a full line of speakers, a major recruitment effort, and partner organizations. It can also be anything between. It depends on what you are looking to achieve from the event, your group’s capacity, and how much advance time you have.

I am no professional organzer. These are just tips Ive picked up over the years from doing my radio show and other events.

Before you Begin

Figure out when and where.

LOCATION

If your event is targeting a member of Congress, it makes the most sense to hold your rally outside their office. If it's some other public figure, outside their office is best as well.  If your city has a central town square, this can also be a great location. If you are targeting a business, then in front of the business. You can also pick a location that ties to the issue you’re focusing on. When choosing a location, consider direct pressure on your target, accessibility, parking and visibility to the public and the media. The press will take pictures you want them to look good.

TIME and DATE

Start your event during business hours (starting no earlier than 8:30 am and no later than 4:30), when you have the best chance of getting media and the attention. The lunch hour is the best time during the business day to turn out the most people and it’s a convenient time for reporters.

If you have an event outside of a member of Congress’ office, it’s a good idea to call them and set up a meeting. It’s great to ask if you can meet, then time your event around that meeting. Forewarning them that a bunch of fascists will be at their door is probably not a good idea.  If you do get a meeting, it can be as simple as handing them a list of grievences.

MARCH

Connect two locations with a march! Or just just gather and march to a single location! We Fascists INVENTED the March! Nobody can march like we can. Spend a bit of money and have a banner made up. Carry it out in front. Make it a mobile party!

APPEARANCE

Fascists aren't bums. We don't wear shoddy clothes. Wear a suit. Encourage all attendees to dress well. Our enemies are ugly slobs, we don't want to look anything lke them. No pussy hats. No Viking larper shit. No naked people in body paint. No faggot stuff. Try not to look like some kind of thug. Men should look like gentlemen and women should look like ladies. Leave your spiked leather jacket and "Fuck you" T-shirt at home.  

SPEAKERS

Everyday folks with compelling personal stories about Fascism. This puts an everyday human face on our cause.

Small business owners can explain how various fascist-leaning laws have helped, or will help, locally.

Community leaders, if you can get one to step up, are great! However most are cowards. Dont hold your breath.

Veterans have a unique role and stature in public policy debates because of service to our country. Many are Fascists, or lean fascist. You have many allies here.

Clergy is very good if you live in a very religious area. Rural areas tend to be a good fit.

Local/State Elected Officials: Mayors, state representatives, state senators, city council members and other politicians are very unlikely to be helpful. Completely forget about an election year.

It’s very important that you prepare your speakers well. Make sure to have a prep call or meeting with everyone who is speaking at your rally. Then call them immediately before, as well.  

LOGISTICS

Do you need a sound system? If you’re EXPECTING A LARGE CROWD, you should arrange to have at least a basic sound system.

Do you need a permit for your event? In most communities, you don’t need a permit to stand on public property, including public sidewalks. But depending on the location of your event, you may want to check with local authorities ahead of time. Most political offices are in federal buildings that do require permits. You will almost certainly need a permit if you plan to march in the streets.

If you’re unsure, just check with local authorities. Also, if you have a sound system, you are more likely to need to a permit. You may have to pay for it. You may be rrjected just because you are a fascist. Bullshit, I know. Did you actually think you had free speech? There are always legal work arounds. Perhaps an attorney will give pro bono (free) services.

PEOPLE YOU MAY NEED

• Greeter: As the event host, you’ll have a lot to attend to so it’s good to designate someone specifically to attend to the people who come to your event, greeting them as they arrive, talking with them, making them feel welcome, and signing them in. Train your greeter well.

• MC: This person starts and concludes the rally, introduces speakers, and keeps the program on time. Think of this person as the “master of ceremonies.” (Thats actually what "MC" means anyway.)

• Chant Maestro: This person leads chants and cheers at the rally. You may have several.

• Visuals & Sign Coordinator: This person is in charge of coordinating a group of folks who will make or print signs and other visuals for the event.

• Media Coordinator: See the media section below.

PREPARATION

You’ll want to make or print signs to hold at your event. Other materials you may want to have on hand include: sign-in sheets, copies of the media advisory, cheer leader leaflets, info sheets, and notes about what you want to say.  

RECRUITING

Hit the phones: The most tried-and-true way I know to get people out to events is to pick up the phone and call them. Emails: You can also invite people over email from your webpage or just get the word out here on GAB..  

MEDIA

It’s really important to get the media to cover your event. News coverage will be bullshit, but it's important anyway. Focus on alternative media for this reason. Build yourself a portfolio of open minded and fair press, and invite them. You will probably need at least one person, a Media Coordinator, specifically for this task. If you demo often, they may need a small staff, or at least some help.  

WALK THROUGH

Walk through the event from start to finish to make sure everything is ready and everyone is clear about their role. Anyone who is speaking or playing a role should be on the call. You can also discuss any breaking political updates related to the issue.  

FINAL PREP

In the last 24 hours before your event, make sure you’re ready! Review all your materials. Check in with any local organizational partners (if applicable) the day before your event to finalize any logistics items and talk through any questions.

EVENT TIME

Arrive at least 20 minutes early. Typically some folks will show up early, and you’ll want to be there to greet them.

If your event is at a Congressional office, the first thing you should do when you arrive is to go and give the staff a heads-up that you’re there. They should know that you’re coming, as you will have called them, but this still makes sense.

Welcome people as they arrive, and ask folks to start displaying their signs. Start as close to on-time as possible. Don’t wait more than ten minutes after your advertised start-time — especially if any reporters are there.

Example timeline

Here’s a sample 1-hour rally agenda, assuming a start-time of 12:00 noon:

Arrive early — no later than 11:40am to make sure there are no unanticipated logistical issues, and to greet folks who arrive early.

Starting at 11:45am – Greet reporters as they arrive. You can usually identify reporters as people with notebooks who aren’t participating in the rally. TV reporters usually arrive in vans with TV station logos on them and will have large cameras. Radio reporters often have visible recording equipment also. Again, it’s best if someone is set up to do just this task and nothing else.

11:45-12:05 – As people arrive, greeters welcome them and sign them in. You’ll want at least one designated greeter — more if you anticipate more than 40 people.

11:45-12:10 – Lead the crowd in cheers and chants. Again, it’s best if someone is set up with a megaphone or other sound system for this

12:10-12:15 – Emcee officially starts the event, thanks people for coming, and briefly states why you’re all there. You should let people know how long the rally will go.

12:15-12:20 – First speaker (introduced by emcee)

12:20-12:25 – Second speaker (introduced by emcee)

12:25-12:30 – Third speaker (introduced by emcee)

12:30-12:40 – Emcee wraps up prepared statements and takes questions from the media

12:40-12:50 – Continued chanting and cheering

12:50-12:55 – Emcee thanks people again for coming, and repeats any important next step actions people should take.

Tips:

• The public event should take no more than one hour.

• Ask others to step up into roles — don’t run a one-man show!

• If you are on a public sidewalk, make sure to keep a path clear for passersby.

• People often tend to huddle close together — and this often makes their signs less visible and makes the crowd look smaller. Encourage folks to spread out and to make their signs visible to the public and the media. You can use chalk or removable tape on the sidewalk as guides.

• Chants are often a great energizer.

• Have fun!

THE AFTER-MEETING

Hold a meeting to debrief your people and to talk about next steps. TAKE NOTES. Plan this meeting to take place within 10 days of your rally. Next day or that evening is best.

Debrief with any members who took on leadership roles during the event. This includes greeters, the Emcee and other coordinators.

Share any news coverage and press clippings with attendees. (It’s also great to send this to the office of your member of Congress, if they were the object of the event.)

FOLLOW UP

Call through your sign-up sheets to thank people for coming and ask them to attend the debrief/next steps meeting.

Send a thank-you note to any/all of the speakers from your event.

Celebrate. Have an after party.