Why we're protesting on Tax Day

The tax code is rigged for the 1%. Not only do corporations like Bank of America get away with dodging taxes, the millionaire CEOs of these unpatriotic companies get a fat tax refund each year thanks to the Bush tax cuts. But we've had enough, and the 99% is fighting back to make millionaires and corporations pay their fair share.

As millions of people file their taxes on Tax Day, April 17, we're organizing "Tax the 1%" protests to express our outrage that the rich and corporations aren't paying their fair share to help rebuild the economy.

We'll march, rally, and protest at big, tax-dodging banks and corporations and throughout our communities to highlight the disparity in the tax code for the 99% compared to the 1%.

Below are steps, tips, and materials for a powerful event. Click here to go to a specific section:

1. Before your event
2. During your event
3. After your event

Have a question that's not answered in this guide? Email our volunteer-led Support Corps at: help@moveon.org.

Steps to take before your event

1. Pick a location.

The theme of the day is "Tax the 1%" so the best locations will help reinforce that message in some way. An easy way to do that is by planning your event at a place that symbolizes why we need to tax the 1% their fair share:

• Tax-dodging banks like Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo
• Other tax-dodging corporations like Verizon, FedEx, Exxon, or Chevron (for more ideas, check out this great report by Citizens for Tax Justice and U.S. PIRG)
• School or hospital facing cuts
• Offices of politicians who oppose taxing the 1%
• A centrally located public park or space

The best event locations will be familiar and easily accessible to everyone in the community and will provide enough public space for people to gather. If you have questions, email help@moveon.org.

2. Decide what you'll do.

There are many creative ways to communicate your "Tax the 1%" message on Tax Day. In the "During your event" section, an example of a tax bill delivery to a Big Bank is provided. You can use as is, tailor it, or do something different.

You should determine early on who will speak at your event, whether you'll lead a picket line or just gather around a main area, and any creative visuals you want to incorporate into the event (like a giant-sized tax bill). Just remember to keep your event fun, safe, and interesting to the media.

3. Invite people and confirm RSVPs.

Get on the phone, use Facebook and Twitter, or email people from your social network and other progressives to invite them to your event. The best recruitment tool is personal contact over the phone, so as much as you can, make personal calls to build the crowd. If you are part of a Council, you can use the Recruitment Tool to call and invite other MoveOn members.

A day or two before your event, it's critical that you make brief confirmation calls to anyone who has RSVP'd to make sure they're still attending. It's a simple step, but so important to good turnout. You can see who's signed up for your event on your Host Tools Page.

Be sure to check out the MoveOn Recruitment Guide for helpful tips and suggestions to boost turnout.

4. Invite the media.

Getting local media to cover your event helps reach thousands more people with our message. The key to getting media coverage is organizing a compelling event, inviting the press, and following up. If you've never organized an event like this, check out the MoveOn Media Guide for more tips on getting local press to cover your event.

Here's a timeline for your media outreach:

• A day or two before your event, email or fax a media advisory that includes details of your event, then call to confirm that each reporter or editor received the advisory.
• On the day of the event, take the same steps—send the media advisory to the press, then make follow-up calls to see who'll cover your event.

Tailor the sample advisory linked to the materials box above to let local media know the details of your event. Use the talking points also provided there to help with what to say when you're talking to the press before, during, and after your event.

Making follow-up calls to local media is critical to getting them to cover your event. If you think you'll need help making phone calls, ask MoveOn members who've RSVP'd for your event to make a few calls (on your Host Tools Page, you can see which RSVPs indicated they'd like to help).

Steps to take during your event

Arrive 45-60 minutes early to set up and greet volunteers helping you.

Start as close to on time as possible. Don't wait more than five minutes after your posted start time—especially if any reporters are there.

Five tips for success:

1. Encourage people to make and bring signs.
2. If you are on a public sidewalk, make sure to keep a path clear for passersby.
3. The event should take no more than one hour.
4. Ask others to step up into roles—don't run a one-person show!
5. Chants are a great energizer—ask one or two people with good rhythm and clear voices to be chant leaders.

Sample Tax the 1% protest at a Big Bank:

• 4:25-4:30, Pre-event: As people gather, lead the group in chants and sign waving.
  
• 4:30-4:35, Kickoff: Call the crowd to attention, emcees introduces him or herself and reads sample host remarks.
  
• 4:35-4:45: Featured speakers
  • Small business owner that pays more in taxes than big companies
  • Taxpayer fighting foreclosure
  • Parent of student whose school faces cuts
  • Pastor from local church calling for a moral tax system
• 4:45-4:50, Explain to crowd what's on the giant-sized tax bill and that we'll try to deliver it to the bank manager.
• 4:50-5:00, Lead the group into the bank and ask to speak to a manager. If manager comes out, deliver the tax bill. If we can't get past security, leave the bill at the door.
  
• 5:00-5:05, Gather the crowd and media again to report back what happened.
  
• 5:05-5:20, Final picketing and chanting in front of the bank (but not blocking the door).
• 5:20-5:30, Thank everyone for coming out, and announce any upcoming events.
  

Steps to take after your event

1. Hold a quick meeting right after your event to debrief and talk about next steps.

• Call through your signup sheets to thank people for coming and ask them to attend the next event or meeting.
• Debrief with any members who took on leadership roles during the event. This includes greeters, the emcee, and other coordinators.
• Share any news coverage and press clippings with attendees. It's also great to send this to the office of your member of Congress.
• Send thank-you notes to any speakers from your event.

3. Fill out the survey you'll receive via email after the event. And don't forget to email any photos from the event to photo@moveon.org.