A reader writes in to ask about the possibility of public protests.

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I have a question.

Would it be illegal to promote public protests/boycotts in all U S States like in all the major cities? I mean the kind you see on old movies where people are outside with signs and the media loves to eat it up?

I mean if you were to say on your website that on a certain date in each major city there would be public protests would that be wrong or illegal? Im just curious ??.......

I think we have to get the media going with it, and public protest would be the way to go, I just wouldnt want anyone to get hurt or whatever. .... What I'm saying is have exact dates for people to meet in cities and bring signs and wear their anti riaa shirts, support indie music shirts, voice their opinions, etc, keep doing it untill the media start picking up on it.

Anyway, I'd like to know if this form of protest is illegal?

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We did something like this last summer and, yes, public protests are certainly legal, as long as you follow certain guidelines and cooperate with any law enforcement that shows up.

Interesting idea

knowing the press we'd be classified as weird, extremeists, and out of the main stream.

remember the FTAA protests. they claimed "anarchy" and beat the living hell out of and encarcerated everyone there. The protestors were cooperating and had all nescessary permits and were not obstructing the flow of traffic.
I also have access to video that shows the precise moments when police incited what little resistance there was to their brutality by macing a completely peaceful crowd.

Im not afraid of any of this.. ill take a few rubber bullets for my freedoms, I think it needs to be coordinated though.. our organized boycotts through downhill battle, etc, didnt even hit the news they had so little participation.

This would have to be big. there are enough people doing this to make it look like the gulf war worldwide protests.. but it MUST be coordinated and info MUST be properly conveyed to the right people.
I live on the net and didnt find out about downhill battle's boycott until after the fact.

I repeat.. nationwide protests will actually go AGAINST our cause by showing how few people are actually willing to protest if we cannot get the info out to the people.. take months if need be to get this coordinated.. get feedback, but make sure it isnt something so piddly it gets laughed at, or it could end up backfiring.

the RIAA could go back to congress and say.. look, this tiny group of people are all that is left to say they think what they are doing is ethical, in other words the public doesnt think as highly of this as you thought.

Its true, ive talked with people who have been persuaded by that black box that spews bull$hit day and night and believe it over me! so be sure we have enough people out there marching!

I'm in!! You just need a permit to demonstrate I believe. And you don't want to block a business, harrass people, or what-have-you. Maybe burn (with fire) a few, or a lot, of RIAA CDs! That would fit right in!! If a list was made of people who promised to show up, you would have an idea of how many people are committed, plus you could decide to go ahead or scrap the plans. This way, you'd never have a poor showing for the news media. A staging area might be helpful for the sign building, or they could be built at home and people could bring them. You'd also have to decide on a good location, like RIAA offices, etc.

it may be legal to hold such a protest but with may law officials in the pockets of big bisiness and the patriot act more than likely they will jail and press charges on any protesters unless done very carefully ie make shure you have someone with a running camera there at all times it will keep the police from performing any acts to incite violence and cause a problem ending up in jailing also invite the media it will realy help to keep things in order make shure your not even remotly comming close to braking any laws and you should be fine

Is it possible to get permits for a march? If so, I think the thing to do would be to gather up as many people as possible for a peaceful march to the RIAA offices.

There would have to be a large advertising campaign, not just on the net, but in the newspapers and radio to get enough people together. ~~pepe~~

You think we could practice in front of those buildings with closed doors , called tower records !!!!teehee 10/4 flbgbt please no flames about lost jobs i always feel for the workin man !!!!

The right to protest peacefully, has been seriously threatened under the current administration. I really am torn about whether this is a good idea or not.

I agree with the comments everyone has made.

My suggestions are this.

1) Plan the event. Make sure you have sufficient people out in the streets to make it clear that many people are against the RiAA. Nothing looks more pitiful or marginalizes a protest more, than having just one person marching back and forth with a homemade sign.

2) Do your homework. Make sure in advance what the legal procedures are for putting on such a protest. Contact your city or police department locally, to make sure that you are not going to be hassled by law enforcement.

3) Have someone (or two is better), videotaping the event.

4) Contact the news media. I've been on television and interviewed in various cities. Producers and cameramen who are doing a remote need some time to get to the site, know what equipment to bring, etc.. You need to have a professional (i.e. well written, clean text, no words spelled incorrectly) press release saying why you will be out there, where you will be, etc..

5) Make sure you are NOT on the private property of the busiensses where you will be. You can be advised you are trespassing and be removed by police if you are on private property. Also, make sure you are not blocking traffic, as this is another reason you could be moved.

6) Try not to get into fights or confrontations with anyone if possible.

A lot of these are common sense, but they are things you need to take care of if you are going to be out in the streets.

and just make sure you're in a first amendment free zone. -wink-

The "First amendment zone" isn't even a joke. Thats what they [the authorities] do. They tell you what areas you can, and cannot protest. And then they keep moving it further and further away, and to a smaller and smaller area.

Protest ideas

Check with the city laws to see if you need a permit. Check to see where you are and are not allowed to protest (because of fire/traffic safety concerns). Be aware that retailers are not public land and usually have "no solicitation" inside and in a permimiter around the building itself which may include all parking areas.

Best days to have a protest are major shopping days like July 4. Find a spot visible to a large number of people who aren't just whizzing by in cars. Don't just have signs, have literature to pass out, and be prepared to have quiet conversations since boycotting RIAA is a complex issue that people don't readily grasp.

If you could get enough support and resources, you could have a boycott RIAA public awareness concert. Give people free music and food and they'll sit for just about anything. Good way to promote your band too. Boycott RIAA neighborhood block parties are also an option, feed your neighbors, educate them about independant music, make some new friends. (You need permits to block off your street for a party.)

Also, you could pool your old junk with some friends to have a Boycott-RIAA themed yardsale (optional to donate proceeds to this site?) and stick fliers in the bag with people's purchases.

Got any kind of local event that has a "local groups fliers" table? Print up some anti-RIAA fliers (maybe with a coupon for a few bucks off your cd?) to put at the local table.

Boy I'm a fount of ideas this morning, must have had my Wheaties.

Yes neyer you're right. that's why I said it as a sarcasm

well im in if there are any "targets" in atlanta for this. fox headquarters is near my uni, but it isnt in a very high traffic area. =/
its seclusion kinda makes me wish i could pull things out of television sets like in anime. I'd pull a hunter out of halo and kick it loose on those grounds. =)

awehr:
You must mean the Clinton News Network. Fox isn't HQd in ATL. Just your friendly neighborhood Channel 5. You can hold all the protests you want to in ATL, unless you're a member of the wrong group. Then you'll never get a permit. Strange how the Pot Fest gets an assembly permit every year, but the Campus Conservatives keep getting turned down......

We NEED to take it to the streets...

I wish we had the money and organization to do a major rally at the DNC when Kerry officially gets nominated on super tuesday.

Well here's an Idea. How about going on local talk radio shows and telling people about Boycott Riaa and what were all about. The folks here at the boycott site could put together an info packet to download off this site with Talking points and strong view points supporting our cause. To get booked on a local talk show isn't that hard just call up the local radio stations and see if you can get some Air time with a local host to debate this subject. The Problem with the Public is not that they wouldn't care BUT they are not informed to what is really going on in the music biz today. Imagine if most of us "with our ducks in a row" could get on local talk shows across the country and deliver our message of boycott the Riaa and why as well as promo this Web site boycott Riaa what might happen??? At least we could spread the word and get the message out!!! Take a friend with you as support or even better someone who has been sued!!! anyone care to comment?????????

I would go to any event in the Los Angeles/SoCal area. I've already been posting this website link on Yahoo message boards everytime I see music related news.