The Anti-Anti-War Rally is a good event for general conservative groups and pro-defense groups.

Leftists love to bash our troops and our involvement in wars that keep Americans safe.  Why not hold an event to counter the leftists’ hostility towards the American military?  Rally support on your campus for the advancement of freedom and democratic ideals. 

Observe the left when they protest and learn from their attention-seeking strategies. The more you make your rally contrast starkly with those of the left, the more significant the differences between your ideas will appear.  Bring American flags and posters that display messages of patriotism. Your message should stay positive.

This event is particularly effective when it is held in opposition to an Anti-War rally.    

HOW TO TAKE ACTION

1. Collect the materials needed for the event.  You should acquire flags and flag poles – for this sort of rally, collect many American flags. Flagpoles can be purchased from local hardware and discount stores, or made out of wooden dowels.  You can use flags of various sizes.  Other necessary materials will include poster board and materials for signs, informational flyers, and a megaphone.

2. Determine time and location for your demonstration.  Stay abreast of the left’s plans for an Anti-War Rally.  Once you learn the date and time of their rally, pick the best location to counter it.  Depending on where you hold your demonstration, you may need to obtain permission from your Student Activities Office or even from the city government. In general, demonstrations are permissible as long as they are on public property and do not block pedestrian, bike, or vehicle traffic.

3. Invite allied organizations.  Ask other patriotic or conservative organizations on campus or in the outside community to contribute to the purchase of supplies or join you in your protest.  This is a great way to strengthen cooperation between different groups in the conservative movement, and to increase attendance and volunteers in the form of members of the other groups. Also get in touch with the ROTC chapter on your campus.  They may be able to help.

4. Hold a planning meeting.  Before the rally, hold a planning meeting to make signs, create chants, design handouts, go over talking points, organize car pools, and prepare your publicity plans.

5. Advertise!  Success depends on how well you publicize your event, so you should advertise early and often. This doesn’t necessarily mean paid advertising; “earned media” may work even better for you. Click here to learn several important publicity measures to use before, during, and after the event.

6. Prepare for opposition. Keep a video camera available at all times, and record any aggression -– both verbal and physical. If some behaves belligerently, ask why he or she objects to your exercise of your right to free speech.  For more information on how to deal with opposition on campus, reference "Fight Back."

7. Contact all group members to remind them about the protest.  This should be done the night before the event to ensure maximum attendance.

8. Demonstrate!  On the day of the rally, arrive at your location early. Have the drivers of one of your car pool cars take charge of bringing your flags and other materials. When enough people arrive, unfurl your flags and display your signs. Make sure your members are spread out. Stay motivated and maintain visible enthusiasm throughout the event. If the rally is held by a road, members of your group should hold up signs to encourage cars to honk in support. Sing patriotic songs and chant the slogans you wrote at your planning meeting.

9. Advertise! (again) The fact that your event is over does not mean that your public relations work is done. Earned media can be extremely useful to you. Click here to learn several important follow-up publicity measures to do after the event is finished.