What more can we say?
Showing posts with label US Campaign to end the Occupation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label US Campaign to end the Occupation. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Monday, August 20, 2012
More Denial from the BDS crowd
In which alternate reality is a failure to achieve ones goals considered a successful action?
From the webpage of a group from the UK "Jews for Justice for Palestinians":
"In an email Action Alert (dateline 16 August 2012), Anna Baltzer of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation draws attention to a very successful action in Sonoma County, California"
A very successful action ?
The Sonoma Human Rights commission rejected their request to cancel Veolia's contract. Rejected as in No. Nada. Thanks but no thanks.
See
BDS Flops in Sonoma
No victory for BDS proponents in Sonoma County
Latest Divestment Effort Results in Yet Another Failure for BDS Movement
The Wheels on the bus : Veolia BDS fail in Sonoma
Regarding the "success" of the Sonoma Veolia action. Hmmm. As someone deeply committed to the side of light and truth, the best I can do is wish Anna, Dalit and Sydney many more years of such continued "success"
Apparently, the Jews for Justice for Palestinians have based their conclusion on an email from Anna Baltzer that reads in part (my comments are bold):
Last month, our newest coalition member group North Coast Coalition for
Palestine caught the attention of corporate America, multinationals, and official representatives of the State of Israel when they challenged renewal of a local bus operating contract with Veolia, a French conglomerate heavily implicated in the Israeli occupation.
In a stirring 5-hour session of testimonies, Sonoma County, CA residents
put the Israeli occupation and its corporate enablers on trial.
What Anna has conveniently forgotten, is that many of those offering "the stirring hours of testimony" were there simply to expose the BDS anti-Israel agenda. Many of the people speaking rejected her request that Veolia's 20 year commitment to providing bus service to Sonoma county be dropped because of a conflict thousands of miles away. At least 4 of the people speaking were long-term Veolia employees, desperately concerned that their jobs were being put in jeopardy because of someone else's narrow political agenda
It was historic...
No, not really. It was just one in a series of BDS fails.
The diverse, unpaid group of Palestinians,
Jews, artists, teachers, students, veterans, and activists...
Dalit Baum is salaried. Sydney Levy is salaried. Anna Baltzer is salaried. And they aren't even Sonoma County residents. They are paid professional shills who jet around the country promoting an anti-Israel agenda.
were simply asking for the local Commission on Human Rights to recommend that the Board of Supervisors investigate Veolia prior to renewing contracts in 2014.
And the Commission said "No".
Here's where it gets interesting and where Anna Baltzer tips her hand. She writes:
"This is what the future of our movement could look like -- local communities putting the occupation and its US institutional supporters on trial in courthouses, town halls, and municipal departments across the nation, in truly grassroots and democratic campaigns with global reach."
Could that be the real BDS goal? To Anna Baltzer the Sonoma Human Rights Commission are as much pawns in her little game as Veolia. They exist as a vehicle, as a host organism to spread her hate-filled program. The whole goal of this carefully orchestrated BDS "movement" is to hijack our civic institutions to amplify an anti-Israel agenda. BDS is a parasitical movement, happy to sacrifice its host to achieve its goal. Its not about achieving any tangible result- its about the level of noise created.
From the webpage of a group from the UK "Jews for Justice for Palestinians":
"In an email Action Alert (dateline 16 August 2012), Anna Baltzer of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation draws attention to a very successful action in Sonoma County, California"
A very successful action ?
The Sonoma Human Rights commission rejected their request to cancel Veolia's contract. Rejected as in No. Nada. Thanks but no thanks.
See
BDS Flops in Sonoma
No victory for BDS proponents in Sonoma County
Latest Divestment Effort Results in Yet Another Failure for BDS Movement
The Wheels on the bus : Veolia BDS fail in Sonoma
Regarding the "success" of the Sonoma Veolia action. Hmmm. As someone deeply committed to the side of light and truth, the best I can do is wish Anna, Dalit and Sydney many more years of such continued "success"
Apparently, the Jews for Justice for Palestinians have based their conclusion on an email from Anna Baltzer that reads in part (my comments are bold):
Last month, our newest coalition member group North Coast Coalition for
Palestine caught the attention of corporate America, multinationals, and official representatives of the State of Israel when they challenged renewal of a local bus operating contract with Veolia, a French conglomerate heavily implicated in the Israeli occupation.
In a stirring 5-hour session of testimonies, Sonoma County, CA residents
put the Israeli occupation and its corporate enablers on trial.
What Anna has conveniently forgotten, is that many of those offering "the stirring hours of testimony" were there simply to expose the BDS anti-Israel agenda. Many of the people speaking rejected her request that Veolia's 20 year commitment to providing bus service to Sonoma county be dropped because of a conflict thousands of miles away. At least 4 of the people speaking were long-term Veolia employees, desperately concerned that their jobs were being put in jeopardy because of someone else's narrow political agenda
It was historic...
No, not really. It was just one in a series of BDS fails.
The diverse, unpaid group of Palestinians,
Jews, artists, teachers, students, veterans, and activists...
Dalit Baum is salaried. Sydney Levy is salaried. Anna Baltzer is salaried. And they aren't even Sonoma County residents. They are paid professional shills who jet around the country promoting an anti-Israel agenda.
were simply asking for the local Commission on Human Rights to recommend that the Board of Supervisors investigate Veolia prior to renewing contracts in 2014.
And the Commission said "No".
Here's where it gets interesting and where Anna Baltzer tips her hand. She writes:
"This is what the future of our movement could look like -- local communities putting the occupation and its US institutional supporters on trial in courthouses, town halls, and municipal departments across the nation, in truly grassroots and democratic campaigns with global reach."
Could that be the real BDS goal? To Anna Baltzer the Sonoma Human Rights Commission are as much pawns in her little game as Veolia. They exist as a vehicle, as a host organism to spread her hate-filled program. The whole goal of this carefully orchestrated BDS "movement" is to hijack our civic institutions to amplify an anti-Israel agenda. BDS is a parasitical movement, happy to sacrifice its host to achieve its goal. Its not about achieving any tangible result- its about the level of noise created.
Thursday, June 21, 2012
The Crusade Against Caterpillar: A JVP kind of "Victory"
JVP has made an announcement regarding Tiaa Cref. Its "Huge", they screamed "HUGE". Frankly, its hard to take them seriously- they've been caught manipulating the truth so many times.
From the very beginning, the crusade against Caterpillar was fraught with manipulation and deception. In late 2009, the UC campaign to end Israeli occupation send out an email, urging anti-Israel activists (sit down for this one) to buy Caterpillar stock.
Hello all,
If you were at our annual Organizers' Conference last September, you already know that we're asking supporters of the Stop Caterkiller campaign to each purchase one share of Caterpillar stock before the end of the year.
While it may seem odd for a group pushing for divestment to encourage purchasing Caterpillar stock, there is a method to our madness. The real point of shareholder divestment is to pressure the corporation to divest of it's activities in the area of concern. With this in mind, once you become a Caterpillar shareholder you can 1) vote in favor of our resolution at the shareholder meeting and 2) support our protest activities inside the meeting by either attending yourself or designating a proxy. The reason we would like more turnout from our supporters at the shareholder meeting is that this has been the area where we've had the most success garnering media attention. The annual shareholder meeting is Caterpillar's day in the media's sun and if we can turn the attention from Cat's finances to their activities in Israel/Palestine it is a win for our campaign.
National Organizer US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation Katherine M. Fuchs went on to explain her "inside strategy"
"Three important things to keep in mind as you purchase stock and encourage friends to do the same:
Our purchasing of Cat stock should be kept quite for now. If Caterpillar learns of this strategy they may change the rules of the meeting to require more than one share for entry.
Time is of the essence. The cut-off date for shareholders receiving invitations to the meeting is fast approaching; I believe that this cut-off date is the end of the calendar year, so act now!
Let us know when you've confirmed your stock purchase so we can be in contact with you about shareholder meeting plans. You can email me at organizer@endtheoccupation.org or call our office at 202-332-0994."
Ms Fuchs adds detailed instruction on just how to buy the stock (and which brokerage to use!) She reminds her followers that they can purchase one share of Caterpillar stock for approximately $58.00. As of today, one share of Caterpillar stock sells for $84.98. This gives you an idea of just how successful the Caterpillar crusade has been.
Katherine's "Inside strategy" fell flat on its face. At this time Tiaa Cref became targeted by the BDS'ers leading to yet another BDS hoax, chronicled at Divest this:
"To give you an idea of how powerful and effective the divestment project has become, they now have the ability to get companies to act on their demands four months before those demands are even made!"
By 2010, Jewish Voice for Peace was entrusted with the Caterpillar Crusade by their handlers at the US Campaign. They launched their crusade in June of 2010 in New York City, with the goal of urging Tiaa Cref to divest from 6 companies: Veolia, Elbit, Northrop Grumann, Caterpillar, Motorola and Alon USA. For Rebecca Vilkomerson, it was important to consider Tiaa-Cref divestment a long term campaign. She whined piteously "If we had a flotilla a week it can be much faster."
Two full years after JVP took the reins, what do we know? We know JVP and their allies are crowing victory all over the web, because Caterpillar no longer trades in the "Socially Conscience" Funds through Tiaa Cref. Was it a political decision? Was it economic? Did it have the least bit to do with JVP's bullying, flash mobs and petitioning? Tiaa Cref continues to hold millions of dollars of shares of Caterpillar. Thats not divestment. We also know that the other 5 companies weren't even on the drawing board.
What kind of huge victory divestment victory leaves millions invested? What kind of huge divestment victory leaves 5 out of 6 companies untouched? A JVP kind of victory.
From the very beginning, the crusade against Caterpillar was fraught with manipulation and deception. In late 2009, the UC campaign to end Israeli occupation send out an email, urging anti-Israel activists (sit down for this one) to buy Caterpillar stock.
Hello all,
If you were at our annual Organizers' Conference last September, you already know that we're asking supporters of the Stop Caterkiller campaign to each purchase one share of Caterpillar stock before the end of the year.
While it may seem odd for a group pushing for divestment to encourage purchasing Caterpillar stock, there is a method to our madness. The real point of shareholder divestment is to pressure the corporation to divest of it's activities in the area of concern. With this in mind, once you become a Caterpillar shareholder you can 1) vote in favor of our resolution at the shareholder meeting and 2) support our protest activities inside the meeting by either attending yourself or designating a proxy. The reason we would like more turnout from our supporters at the shareholder meeting is that this has been the area where we've had the most success garnering media attention. The annual shareholder meeting is Caterpillar's day in the media's sun and if we can turn the attention from Cat's finances to their activities in Israel/Palestine it is a win for our campaign.
National Organizer US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation Katherine M. Fuchs went on to explain her "inside strategy"
"Three important things to keep in mind as you purchase stock and encourage friends to do the same:
Our purchasing of Cat stock should be kept quite for now. If Caterpillar learns of this strategy they may change the rules of the meeting to require more than one share for entry.
Time is of the essence. The cut-off date for shareholders receiving invitations to the meeting is fast approaching; I believe that this cut-off date is the end of the calendar year, so act now!
Let us know when you've confirmed your stock purchase so we can be in contact with you about shareholder meeting plans. You can email me at organizer@endtheoccupation.org or call our office at 202-332-0994."
Ms Fuchs adds detailed instruction on just how to buy the stock (and which brokerage to use!) She reminds her followers that they can purchase one share of Caterpillar stock for approximately $58.00. As of today, one share of Caterpillar stock sells for $84.98. This gives you an idea of just how successful the Caterpillar crusade has been.
Katherine's "Inside strategy" fell flat on its face. At this time Tiaa Cref became targeted by the BDS'ers leading to yet another BDS hoax, chronicled at Divest this:
"To give you an idea of how powerful and effective the divestment project has become, they now have the ability to get companies to act on their demands four months before those demands are even made!"
By 2010, Jewish Voice for Peace was entrusted with the Caterpillar Crusade by their handlers at the US Campaign. They launched their crusade in June of 2010 in New York City, with the goal of urging Tiaa Cref to divest from 6 companies: Veolia, Elbit, Northrop Grumann, Caterpillar, Motorola and Alon USA. For Rebecca Vilkomerson, it was important to consider Tiaa-Cref divestment a long term campaign. She whined piteously "If we had a flotilla a week it can be much faster."
Two full years after JVP took the reins, what do we know? We know JVP and their allies are crowing victory all over the web, because Caterpillar no longer trades in the "Socially Conscience" Funds through Tiaa Cref. Was it a political decision? Was it economic? Did it have the least bit to do with JVP's bullying, flash mobs and petitioning? Tiaa Cref continues to hold millions of dollars of shares of Caterpillar. Thats not divestment. We also know that the other 5 companies weren't even on the drawing board.
What kind of huge victory divestment victory leaves millions invested? What kind of huge divestment victory leaves 5 out of 6 companies untouched? A JVP kind of victory.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Caterpillar Stock Soars. BDS irrelevant. Once again
For seven years Anna Baltzer and the US Campaign to end Israel have harassed, pestered, poked, plagued, molested, provoked and annoyed the Peoria Illinois based Caterpillar company, claiming "The National CAT Campaign is making waves every day. From trade unions to churches, citizens of conscience are successfully encouraging their institutions to divest from Caterpillar, Inc"
What do they have to show for their efforts?
Not much apparently.
From Reuters
"Caterpillar Inc far exceeded analyst expectations on Monday, reporting a 44 percent quarterly earnings increase due to record revenue, and the company signaled optimism in its 2012 outlook.
The Peoria, Illinois, company said it expects full-year 2011 profit and revenue to be at the top end of its previous outlook range due to strong demand. In 2012, the company sees revenue increasing 10 percent to 20 percent above the $58 billion in sales it expects this year, although it continues to make contingency plans for a potential downturn.
Caterpillar said it ended the third quarter in one of the healthiest positions in its recent history. Backlog orders standing at record levels and higher commodity prices leading to a favorable environment for its growing mining business. The company expects to post record results in 2011 and improve on those results next year."
The US Campaign has had a long standing vendetta against Caterpillar, calling them the "company which best exemplifies the interest of US corporations in the Occupation".
Join me in asking Anna Baltzer and the US Campaign: How does it feel to be irrelevant?
What do they have to show for their efforts?
Not much apparently.
From Reuters
"Caterpillar Inc far exceeded analyst expectations on Monday, reporting a 44 percent quarterly earnings increase due to record revenue, and the company signaled optimism in its 2012 outlook.
The Peoria, Illinois, company said it expects full-year 2011 profit and revenue to be at the top end of its previous outlook range due to strong demand. In 2012, the company sees revenue increasing 10 percent to 20 percent above the $58 billion in sales it expects this year, although it continues to make contingency plans for a potential downturn.
Caterpillar said it ended the third quarter in one of the healthiest positions in its recent history. Backlog orders standing at record levels and higher commodity prices leading to a favorable environment for its growing mining business. The company expects to post record results in 2011 and improve on those results next year."
The US Campaign has had a long standing vendetta against Caterpillar, calling them the "company which best exemplifies the interest of US corporations in the Occupation".
Join me in asking Anna Baltzer and the US Campaign: How does it feel to be irrelevant?
Friday, April 29, 2011
Caterpillar stock surges: Bds'ers wring their hands in despair
Its another sterling example of the failure of BDS.
Caterpillar "Caterkiller"- a manufacturer of heavy construction equipment has been the center of attention for Team Hate for quite a while. For years, in fact, there has been heavy pressure on Caterpillar to "divest " from Israel, along with pressure on various institutions to "divest" from Caterpillar. The US Campaign to end the occupation gives out free Stop Caterpillar kits, which the vast worldwide Zionist conspiracy has been utilizing well.
Kathleen Fuchs, formerly involved with the US campaign, actually proposed buying Caterpiller shares at one point, in an effort to gain a voice at the shareholders convention
With all this attention on Caterpillar, what effect to do think this has on the company's finances?
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.
From Today's Reuters Report
"A strong showing by Caterpillar and other U.S. industrials' shares led the market higher on Friday, putting the Dow on track for its best month since December...
Heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) climbed after reporting a fivefold increase in quarterly profit and raising its full-year forecast.
"This is another sign of how manufacturing is leading the economy," said Eli Lustgarten, senior research analyst for the industrial machinery sector at Longbow Securities in St. Louis. "We think Caterpillar is fairly valued, but you have to be impressed with what they delivered. No matter what, this will be a good year for them."
Caterpillar "Caterkiller"- a manufacturer of heavy construction equipment has been the center of attention for Team Hate for quite a while. For years, in fact, there has been heavy pressure on Caterpillar to "divest " from Israel, along with pressure on various institutions to "divest" from Caterpillar. The US Campaign to end the occupation gives out free Stop Caterpillar kits, which the vast worldwide Zionist conspiracy has been utilizing well.
Kathleen Fuchs, formerly involved with the US campaign, actually proposed buying Caterpiller shares at one point, in an effort to gain a voice at the shareholders convention
With all this attention on Caterpillar, what effect to do think this has on the company's finances?
Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero.
From Today's Reuters Report
"A strong showing by Caterpillar and other U.S. industrials' shares led the market higher on Friday, putting the Dow on track for its best month since December...
Heavy machinery manufacturer Caterpillar Inc (CAT.N) climbed after reporting a fivefold increase in quarterly profit and raising its full-year forecast.
"This is another sign of how manufacturing is leading the economy," said Eli Lustgarten, senior research analyst for the industrial machinery sector at Longbow Securities in St. Louis. "We think Caterpillar is fairly valued, but you have to be impressed with what they delivered. No matter what, this will be a good year for them."
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
To Anna Baltzer: What I did with My Caterkiller campaign kit.
The US Campaign to end the Occupation will generously send activists...any activists...campaign kits. Included are postcards, posters, cd's- an entire toolbox of props designed to perpetuate the demonization of Israel. The new National Organizer for the Campaign, Anna Baltzer recent sent out an email asking us just what we did with the literature her organization generously provided
Dear friends,
I just started as National Organizer with the US Campaign and am trying to gather information on past and present work by US groups on the Caterkiller Campaign, which will inform how we proceed with the campaign.
If you're getting this it's because you've probably ordered our CAT organizing packets in the past. Would you be willing to take a moment to answer some or all of the questions below?:
1. Did you find the CAT organizing packets useful? Do you have any suggested improvements?
2. What work has your group done on the CAT campaign in the past?
3. Do you continue to advocate for CAT accountability? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. Can you share any ideas or lessons learned that would inform how we proceed with the campaign?
If you'd prefer to talk about this by phone rather than email, please send me some times you'd be available and we'll set a date!
Thanks in advance, everyone,
Anna
Dear Anna,
I used the Caterkiller campaign kit as kindling for my organizations annual Lag B'Omer bonfire. I am extremely pleased with its performance. It ignited perfectly, and burnt clean and quickly. Thank you for asking.
It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer is the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. The Zohar (The Shining Light) deals with the mystical teachings of the Torah and forms the basis for Kabbalah. Taking this a step further, it is the tradition of local Israel activist groups to kindle a bonfire using the accumulated refuse of hate groups such as the US Campaign. Request your kit here www.endtheoccupation.org/form.php?modin=157 and remember, the best tool against darkness in our world is simply increasing the light.
UPDATE:
Kudos to Jack for sending in this photo of a creature (gremlin? Rabbit? any guesses?) making great use of his Caterkiller activists kit. Way to go Jack!
Dear friends,
I just started as National Organizer with the US Campaign and am trying to gather information on past and present work by US groups on the Caterkiller Campaign, which will inform how we proceed with the campaign.
If you're getting this it's because you've probably ordered our CAT organizing packets in the past. Would you be willing to take a moment to answer some or all of the questions below?:
1. Did you find the CAT organizing packets useful? Do you have any suggested improvements?
2. What work has your group done on the CAT campaign in the past?
3. Do you continue to advocate for CAT accountability? If so, how? If not, why not?
4. Can you share any ideas or lessons learned that would inform how we proceed with the campaign?
If you'd prefer to talk about this by phone rather than email, please send me some times you'd be available and we'll set a date!
Thanks in advance, everyone,
Anna
Dear Anna,
I used the Caterkiller campaign kit as kindling for my organizations annual Lag B'Omer bonfire. I am extremely pleased with its performance. It ignited perfectly, and burnt clean and quickly. Thank you for asking.
It is traditional to light bonfires on Lag B'Omer. Lag B'Omer is the anniversary of the death of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, author of the Zohar. The Zohar (The Shining Light) deals with the mystical teachings of the Torah and forms the basis for Kabbalah. Taking this a step further, it is the tradition of local Israel activist groups to kindle a bonfire using the accumulated refuse of hate groups such as the US Campaign. Request your kit here www.endtheoccupation.org/form.php?modin=157 and remember, the best tool against darkness in our world is simply increasing the light.
UPDATE:
Kudos to Jack for sending in this photo of a creature (gremlin? Rabbit? any guesses?) making great use of his Caterkiller activists kit. Way to go Jack!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Everybody Dance Now! Flash Mobs for Social change.
The US Campaign to End the Occupation has issued a handy checklist for activists planning a flash mob, presumably to avoid such embarrassments as this.
Do with it as you please, remembering that this is the year of the Flash Mob! (Lucky attendees at national AIPAC might even get to experience the joys of a Code Pink flash mob in person)
Anna Baltzer, from the US Campaign to End the Occupation recently sent out a missive touting flash mobs as a substitute for traditional protests, claiming
"Through social networks, we now have the ability to generate and distribute influential media on our own. Flash mobs enable the use of pop culture and social networks to promote a message or campaign in a way that is easily accessible, especially to the young generation. This is a great complement to traditional forms of protest, and anyone can do it."
The Blog Divest this has a different take, noting the confusion and disgust many feel when experiencing a Code Pink and friends production
"The BDS flashers, in contrast, could not care less about the crowd in whose face they strut their stuff, for the simple reason that unsuspecting shoppers at Best Buy are not the audience for this performance, but are merely props. The audience for this dance troupe are like-minded BDSers with whom they can share a demonstration of “edgy direct action” which amounts to little more than self-indulgent irrelevancy.
This may explain why, in a YouTube world where the online audience for joyous flash mobs shoots into the millions, the “Hang Up on Motorola Dancers” have trouble breaking five figures, a reasonable estimate of the number of people who share their cause, minus the few of us who checked out their performance either for research purposes or simply to stare in dumbfounded shock at the lengths the Israel-dislikers will go to get anyone to pay attention to them. "
The US Campaigns checklist highlights the most important part of the flash mob: shameless self promotion, urging the flashers to "Distribute like mad!"
Their blueprint for publicity follows (Team Israel take note, and remember the words of ben Zoma "Who is wise? He who learns from everyone" )
Prepare your distribution plan and lists beforehand.
Send press releases to media (example press releases). Have it ready beforehand. If you send it out immediately following the event, you can tell them you have raw footage they could run so they don’t have to wait for the whole edited piece.
Post widely on Facebook and ask others to do the same; it can spread like wildfire.
Twitter (Don’t forget to use hashtag #bds)
“Like” and comment on the video on YouTube and Facebook, which increases traffic. That includes on friends’ Facebook pages.
Send it local, national, and international allies/leaders on this and other issues, especially people connected with larger networks and communities.
Send it out on sympathetic email lists, asking people to forward
Write related articles for online publications
For all the above, you can organize a gathering right after the video is released during which people sit together with their laptops and post the links on Twitter, Facebook, forums, listservs, websites, etc. Make a fun evening of it. The Bathrobes Brigades in the Netherlands organizes regular internet activism evenings.
Do with it as you please, remembering that this is the year of the Flash Mob! (Lucky attendees at national AIPAC might even get to experience the joys of a Code Pink flash mob in person)
Anna Baltzer, from the US Campaign to End the Occupation recently sent out a missive touting flash mobs as a substitute for traditional protests, claiming
"Through social networks, we now have the ability to generate and distribute influential media on our own. Flash mobs enable the use of pop culture and social networks to promote a message or campaign in a way that is easily accessible, especially to the young generation. This is a great complement to traditional forms of protest, and anyone can do it."
The Blog Divest this has a different take, noting the confusion and disgust many feel when experiencing a Code Pink and friends production
"The BDS flashers, in contrast, could not care less about the crowd in whose face they strut their stuff, for the simple reason that unsuspecting shoppers at Best Buy are not the audience for this performance, but are merely props. The audience for this dance troupe are like-minded BDSers with whom they can share a demonstration of “edgy direct action” which amounts to little more than self-indulgent irrelevancy.
This may explain why, in a YouTube world where the online audience for joyous flash mobs shoots into the millions, the “Hang Up on Motorola Dancers” have trouble breaking five figures, a reasonable estimate of the number of people who share their cause, minus the few of us who checked out their performance either for research purposes or simply to stare in dumbfounded shock at the lengths the Israel-dislikers will go to get anyone to pay attention to them. "
The US Campaigns checklist highlights the most important part of the flash mob: shameless self promotion, urging the flashers to "Distribute like mad!"
Their blueprint for publicity follows (Team Israel take note, and remember the words of ben Zoma "Who is wise? He who learns from everyone" )
Prepare your distribution plan and lists beforehand.
Send press releases to media (example press releases). Have it ready beforehand. If you send it out immediately following the event, you can tell them you have raw footage they could run so they don’t have to wait for the whole edited piece.
Post widely on Facebook and ask others to do the same; it can spread like wildfire.
Twitter (Don’t forget to use hashtag #bds)
“Like” and comment on the video on YouTube and Facebook, which increases traffic. That includes on friends’ Facebook pages.
Send it local, national, and international allies/leaders on this and other issues, especially people connected with larger networks and communities.
Send it out on sympathetic email lists, asking people to forward
Write related articles for online publications
For all the above, you can organize a gathering right after the video is released during which people sit together with their laptops and post the links on Twitter, Facebook, forums, listservs, websites, etc. Make a fun evening of it. The Bathrobes Brigades in the Netherlands organizes regular internet activism evenings.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Amazon.com - Hijacked by haters. Its time to fight back
"First the Palestinians hijacked airplanes. Now they hijack agendas"
Anonymous comment on a blog
The anti-Israel forces have taken the web war to the world's largest online realtor. Following the lead of Code Pink, the US Campaign to end the Occupation has sent out a mass email urging their supporters to hijack the "Readers Comments" section of Amazon. Their email follows:
"This holiday season, join us to "save (the) amazon." Help us tell occupation-supporting companies exactly what we think of their products. By simply submitting an Amazon product review, you can let shoppers know that supporting companies who benefit from the occupation is wrong. Would you buy products tested on animals, or that you know to be environmentally destructive, or exploit child labor? If you know that a product harms others or violates international law, shouldn't you boycott it?Let Amazon.com shoppers know that Ahava products are "Stolen Beauty," that wearing CAT clothing is not cool, and to "hang up on Motorola!" We'll share the best reviews you write – or record on video – and bring media attention to the boycott movement.
Amazon, the largest online retailer, is home to virtually all consumer products, including Motorola gadgets, Ahava skin creams, and many other boycott-able goods that generate profit from the Israeli occupation.
To join "save (the) amazon," simply commit to writing a customer review on Amazon.com, telling shoppers it's wrong to buy products that generate profit from stolen resources. Amazon invites its shoppers to do just that. Here's the first line of their General Review Creation Guidelines:
Amazon wants your opinions to be heard
We want customers to get the information they need to make smart buying choices, and we'd love to have your help doing that. As an Amazon customer, you can submit written or video reviews for items listed on Amazon.com. We encourage you to share your opinions, both favorable and unfavorable."
Some companies and products that directly benefit from the occupation are: Caterpillar, Motorola, Ahava, Sabra and Osem. Do an Amazon search and comment on a product of your choice. There are thousands to choose from.
Comment with the fewest stars and most critical wording to draw attention to the inhumanity of stealing Palestinian resources and imposing apartheid."
Whats an Israel Supporter to do? Send Amazon Customer Service an email, requesting that they put a stop to the practice of hijacking the readers comments section to promote a hateful and one-sided agenda. Feel free to cut and paste the email from the US campaign. And rate down, down, down, the anti-Israel comments.
Anonymous comment on a blog
The anti-Israel forces have taken the web war to the world's largest online realtor. Following the lead of Code Pink, the US Campaign to end the Occupation has sent out a mass email urging their supporters to hijack the "Readers Comments" section of Amazon. Their email follows:
"This holiday season, join us to "save (the) amazon." Help us tell occupation-supporting companies exactly what we think of their products. By simply submitting an Amazon product review, you can let shoppers know that supporting companies who benefit from the occupation is wrong. Would you buy products tested on animals, or that you know to be environmentally destructive, or exploit child labor? If you know that a product harms others or violates international law, shouldn't you boycott it?Let Amazon.com shoppers know that Ahava products are "Stolen Beauty," that wearing CAT clothing is not cool, and to "hang up on Motorola!" We'll share the best reviews you write – or record on video – and bring media attention to the boycott movement.
Amazon, the largest online retailer, is home to virtually all consumer products, including Motorola gadgets, Ahava skin creams, and many other boycott-able goods that generate profit from the Israeli occupation.
To join "save (the) amazon," simply commit to writing a customer review on Amazon.com, telling shoppers it's wrong to buy products that generate profit from stolen resources. Amazon invites its shoppers to do just that. Here's the first line of their General Review Creation Guidelines:
Amazon wants your opinions to be heard
We want customers to get the information they need to make smart buying choices, and we'd love to have your help doing that. As an Amazon customer, you can submit written or video reviews for items listed on Amazon.com. We encourage you to share your opinions, both favorable and unfavorable."
Some companies and products that directly benefit from the occupation are: Caterpillar, Motorola, Ahava, Sabra and Osem. Do an Amazon search and comment on a product of your choice. There are thousands to choose from.
Comment with the fewest stars and most critical wording to draw attention to the inhumanity of stealing Palestinian resources and imposing apartheid."
Whats an Israel Supporter to do? Send Amazon Customer Service an email, requesting that they put a stop to the practice of hijacking the readers comments section to promote a hateful and one-sided agenda. Feel free to cut and paste the email from the US campaign. And rate down, down, down, the anti-Israel comments.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)