Demonstrations, marches, rallies…what’s the difference?
A demonstration is the easiest type of public event to get going. It may involve a group of activists giving a speech, carrying signs,wearing T-shirts with slogans, or even performing a dramatic re-enactment. Demonstrations employ any tactics which will get a point through to the public.
Rallies are similar to demonstrations, but they’re usually advertised for a long time beforehand and members of the public are invited to come and join in. Rallies may involve speeches and demonstrations by different causes and groups.
A march usually starts with a rally. When a large enough group has gathered at the rally point, people march down a chosen street to a particular destination. Often this street will have been blocked off from traffic by the police. There may also be police lining the roads to make sure the route is kept clear.
How do I hold a good public event?
A high-energy event with lots of participation is usually the most rewarding for activists. To get people to turn up you have to give them plenty of notice – a month in advance is a good idea. Pick a date and time that’s easy to remember, and that is convenient for your target audience. For example, if you want high school children to come, holding your event during school hours is probably a bad idea. Choose a meeting point that is located near plenty of public transport, and is easily identified by a well-known landmark.
Give short speeches at places where people might be interested in your issue. Schools, universities, youth groups and churches are good places to start, but make sure you get permission to advertise your cause. Handing out flyers with the date, time and key points of the issue will help people remember to turn up. If you’re lucky enough to swing some sponsorship for your event, offering freebies like a sausage sizzle or a free concert is a great way to encourage more people to come along. If groups already exist around this issue, contact them and they may offer you support.
Managing large groups of people can be challenging. If you can get a megaphone or some kind of P.A. system so you and your speakers can be heard it will make your life easier. Find a high-point like a hill or stage to address the crowd from. Have a well-defined beginning and end to the event by using speeches or performances so that people know when to disperse.
Do I need to get permission?
Yes, you need to get permission from the local council responsible for the location of your public event. If you are under eighteen years of age, you may need a parent or guardian to support you in your venture. The process may be a bit different for each council, but generally, you must make an “Application to hold an event”. This will mean filling out a form which provides information such as your contact details, the plans for the event, and how many people you expect to come. Make sure you ask the council BEFORE you begin to advertise your event, because there is never a guarantee that your request will be accepted straight away.
If you are going to use a road or footpath you will need to file a “road/footpath obstruction form”. Again, it’s a good idea to file these well in advance because councils can be pretty slow to process this stuff. The council should, in theory, notify the police of the activity, but it’s a good idea to ring and check with the local police station a week in advance to make sure they know the event’s on and it has been approved.
Once you’ve filed these forms it’s your responsibility to make sure you keep to the details listed. For instance, if your march is scheduled to end at 3pm and you go on blocking the streets until 4pm, the police are within their rights to arrest you. Similarly, if there is damage to public property while you’re in charge, you might find a police person on your doorstep the next day. So be sure that your group conduct is lawful.
Remember that you have a right to free speech and a right to protest. If you feel that a member of the police or council is deliberately stopping you from holding your event for political reasons, complain to a higher authority. This could be your local council member, the regional police chief, or the media.
Who should I contact to get permission to hold my event?
Contact the local council where the event is being held. If you aren’t sure who your local government is, look in the ‘councils’ section of your state government website. Below are the contact details for the state capital city councils:
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© 2008. First published on actnow.com.au
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