Frances ReMillard of Utahns for Justice in the Holy Land describes the experiences of two Utah groups with informational postcards. The messages on these pre-printed cards are read and responded to because the senders sign their name, address, and a statement that they are registered voters. Here is Frances's account:
We based our post card program on a similar
program regarding a different issue here in Utah. It was the nuclear
testing issue and had been debated here for a very long time.The
group against the testing finally printed two versions of postcards.
One had a picture of an underground test. It showed a huge plume
which looked very much like an atomic bomb explosion and simply
said this is a picture of an underground test, the test name and
date. The second card showed a simple map of the United States
with a dot for every location in the states where elevated radiation
levels were detected following an underground test. The backside
had text similar to ours, simply saying I am against-------- ;
and yes I am a registered voter, name, address, signature, etc.
The image alone blew the myth that underground tests stay underground.
The group using the cards set up meetings and talks all over Utah
and gave out the cards. They did the identical cards for over
a year. They did follow up by meeting more than once with their
Senators and Reps bringing an additional stack of cards with them.
Almost the first thing their Senators and Representatives said
to them is "what is with these cards?" It had apparently
made a very big impact on them. And yes they did finally win the
issue. The group felt their cards played a major role in breaking
the back of their nuclear testing issue because it clearly blew
apart the myth that underground tests stay underground----informing
both their senators and the person signing the card.
The Israel-Palestine issue is not as simple. At the same time
it is full of myths which can be blown apart with simple images
and text. (I mean how many uninformed people would ever imagine
a country like Israel bulldozing a family's home while a family
member is forced to sit there with a gun pointed at his head?
And after one sees an image like that how can one continue to
see Israel as the victim.) It informs both sides.
We never send letters because of the anthrax issue, but yes our cards have been getting through. We know because we are all getting written responses from both our senators and reps, and the responses are stacking up. The vocabulary in their responses is softening and shifting. We don't care if it is an aide or a senator who sees the cards or writes the responses. They all need educating.
We see our cards like one might see a mosquito
that won't quit buzzing around ready to bite. In the past our
senators have always known the public is ill informed. Now they
know we know.
But there is also a second reason we send them. Every time we
do a presentation, our audience is typically frustrated, wanting
to know what to do, feeling overwhelmed by the issue. These postcards
get them started, a bit invested in the issue and outcome, and
our own personal experience tells us many of those who made that
initial effort will watch the issue and media just a little closer.
It feels good to do something even if it isn't the perfect action.
We receive many, many thanks for these cards.
We don't think cards should replace phone calls, faxes, emails,
or visits to our congressional reps.
We print them with all our representatives' addresses. When we
give out the cards people receive three -- two to senators, one
to their representative. We usually invite people to sign the
cards after a presentation when they seem energized to do something.
We ask for small donations of around a dollar to cover costs and
postage, have tham sign the cards at our table, and we then mail
them. That way we can keep count of roughly how many have been
mailed. But sometimes people want to mail them themselves and
that's fine with us too. We find we don't lose much on postage,
getting enough in small donations to cover that cost.. We've been
printing the labels directly on the cards, so when we give out
the cards we just ask who their representative is and give them
the appropriate card.
Frances ReMillard, Director.
Utahns for a Just Peace in the Holy Land---a non profit group
<remillar@allwest.net>
CARD FROM UTAHNS FOR JUSTICE IN THE HOLY LAND:
CARD FROM PALESTINE-ISRAEL ACTION GROUP, ANN ARBOR, MICH CarterCards inform both the sender & receiver about Pres. Carter's message. The format prompts a reply from elected officials. Print these e-files on 4" X 6" file cards or at your printshop. Add your group's name above the "info" line & print a senator's address after "TO," if you wish. (Card design by <PIAG_@mac.com>)
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Side two
Here is another postcard design intended to convey concern about the appropriation by Israel of Palestinian lands. Side one
Side two
