PRISM Pasta

=== SETTING UP A LAWFUL PROTEST ===

In order to achieve our goals, we must communicate with one another. Please visit the forum where we will continue to discuss and disseminate the information and ideas; likewise you may join up in the IRC chat, channel #stopprism

 If you do not have any social media accounts, now is the time to make them. They need not be intrusively personal, but you must understand that if we are embodying an argument against the mainstream narrative of "nothing to hide," then it helps to actually behave as though you have nothing to hide; i.e., using your face, your given name, etc. We must take it upon ourselves to embody the opposition - that includes being honest and open in the public forum about who you are and what you aim to achieve; take responsibility for the things you say and stand strong behind your actions.

== ESTABLISHING A POLITICAL FORUM ==

Our tentative first public demonstration is scheduled for June 22nd. It has been suggested that we consolidate the gatherings to a few major metropolitan areas, however it still may be beneficial to gather locally even in small numbers. Once we establish this demonstration, it will serve also as a meet-and-greet. THIS IS IMPORTANT: Visit the forum to find out who is planning what where. You absolutely MUST acquire the appropriate information for receiving a permit to protest. You will need an estimate of how many people are going to show up. You need to know the area you will be in or the route you are walking. You will need a time frame, though most jurisdictions have this already established. (Aka they tell you when you're allowed)

If you want to begin the application process, you have to start ahead of time. Most major metropolises have their permit information online; I live in Pittsburgh and so this is the relevant site for me (http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/main/html/permits_and_licenses.html)

If you live in New York City, you'd visit this webpage (http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/permits/permits.shtml)

The best way to get a hold of this information is to call the city offices and ask them, exactly, how to apply for the RIGHT kind of permit. Inform those involved in the protest of the city ordinances and laws surrounding a demonstration. Carry a copy of your permit on you the day of the protest. Call the city the day before to ask about any last minute changes or requirements to make sure you are in full compliance.

Most importantly: stay peaceful.

=== NETWORKING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT ===

If networking still spooks you, that's okay and entirely understandable. Edward Snowden sacrificed a life in Hawaii and a solid $200,000 dollar salary just to CONFIRM what many of us already suspected. We are going to need more people who know how to code for websites; people who understand Javascript, HTML, CSS, etc.

Part of this campaign is to establish a pool of individuals with the skills, resources, and passion necessary to propel grassroots efforts like this. Not just for this operation against PRISM but for potential future endeavors as well.

>I dunno how to code
http://w3schools.com/
http://www.codecademy.com/courses/lang/all

On the latter link, start with "First Website Using HTML and CSS" | The interface is incredibly friendly, intuitive, and helpful. It shows you a preview of your webpage as you're coding it.

=== Do we really need to get permission? ===

>If we got arrested because we didn't have it, wouldn't that make us look better? "Police arrest protesters" on the headlines. And if we applied and were denied, what then?

The answer is yes, you need to get permission otherwise the city will have the authority to arraign you on any number of obscure, unknown ordinance violations. For example, you can look to the G20, Occupy, and Monsanto protests in Pittsburgh alone; the media painted the protestors as in the wrong because they did not go through the proper channels, jump through the right hoops.

It's disgraceful and demeaning that we are subjecting ourselves to this level of parlor-trickery, but it's the only way to get the appropriate response. The national media will be against us every step of the way, but if we can resist all of that while remaining within the bounds of reasonable laws (even after getting arrested) we will come out on top due to social media.

If the permit is denied, try again. Change the title, have your friend do it, etc. If the permit is denied and denied, then you protest anyway within the confines of existing law - do not block traffic, do not incite violence. Be nothing more than an assembly of peacefully gathered citizens discussing their grievances in public.