You probably know that you can create your own petitions at:
DIY.rootsaction.org But I bet there are two things you don't know. 1) Your local organizations can partner with RootsAction, create their own petitions, promote them jointly with RootsAction (meaning both groups promote to their lists), and keep all the signers' names and contact info to build your movement. If you have a progressive group with a list that can generate hundreds of signers, contact david@rootsaction.org. 2) DIY RootsAction petitions have often succeeded. Usually you need a multifaceted campaign beyond a petition alone. But a petition can be -- and many of these have been -- central to success. DIY RootsAction petitions have been an important part of stopping environmentally and historically destructive projects, freeing an innocent prisoner, changing local policies on guns and police and investments of public funds, persuading members of Congress to cosponsor legislation or to shun destructive lobby groups, renaming a school, convincing a hotel not to host a weapons fair, and removing a statue that celebrated genocide. Whether your campaign succeeds quickly, slowly, or not at all, your petition can garner attention and help educate people, as well as organizing people who can be contacted for future actions. RootsAction is not a for-profit business like Change.org that sells email addresses to right-wing causes. RootsAction is not loyal to the Democratic Party, right or wrong, on the MoveOn model. RootsAction will not promote wars to its list the way Avaaz will. You can feel good about building both your own list and RootsAction's. Take a look at DIY.rootsaction.org. Sign some of the current petitions. Put your local organization in touch with us. Think about these tips to increase the chances of success: - Choose a person or persons to petition who you think can be influenced.
- Be direct, honest, radical, concise, and polite. Word your petition so that anyone would gladly sign it.
- Create a good graphic for your petition or ask us to do so.
- Get well-known endorsers for your petition.
- Ask various groups to endorse and promote your petition. Give them credit and thanks.
- Promote your petition by email, social media, and on paper in the real world (entering the results online).
- Promote your petition to the media.
- Ask petition signers to find more signers by a deadline.
- Deliver your petition and demand a response.
We look forward to changing the world with you! DIY.rootsaction.org | 
