Get the Message Out.

Please take this as very constructive and friendly criticism from a friend on the other side of the country watching what's happening via the Internet.

If you are going to a protest, whether its LA or another place on another day, stop and think for just a second about what it is you want to say with your protest.

Part of the idea of a protest is to get attention to a cause. So when that works, when we get the attention of the press, media, or citizens who happen to be watching, be ready with something to say.

Such opportunities come and pass quickly. You are marching or sitting or standing in a protest, and suddenly a reporter walks up and asks for your views. Personally, I am not a natural speaker. Some people are. Some people can speak off the cuff quickly and effectively. Personally, I tend to stop and stutter and say something really stupid and incoherent.

But if you stop and think for just a minute before you go to the protest, or while you are on the way to the protest, and phrase in your head just a few sentences that express what you feel and why it is important to you to be out in the streets protesting, then you will find that you have those sentences ready when one of those moments arise when you get a chance to communicate your beliefs to a reporter, a politician, or just an interested citizen who is curious as to why these people are marching in the street.

One last note, and then I'll shut up. If you are a group organizing a protest, take a minute at the time when you are getting everyone together, and talk for just a minute about what the message you want to get across from the protest. And remind everyone one of this. Then, again should one of those rare opportunities arise when anyone in a group gets a chance to communicate that message, there's a better chance that the message that comes out is the one that reflects the goals and ideals of the protest.

I'll shut up now, and end by saying that I have the deepest respect for those who are out in the streets of LA this week. You are doing fantastic.