BattleCry™ 50-state Right-Wing attack due on Friday May 12, 2006

They're Here. They're in Your Town. They have a political agenda. They Want Your Kid. And they're looking for a photo-opp at your City Hall! So… So why not give them an event they’re not expecting!

On this May 12, Ron Luce will have his followers sign the so-called "The Teenage Bill of Rights™" (guaranteed not to be written by a teen...). Some selections:
*Unquestioning Obedience: “We will respect the authorities placed in our lives, even though some may not live as honorably as they should.”
*Anti-Choice: “We recognize the value of each life, whether born or unborn, and we seek to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.”
http://www.battlecry.com/teen_bor.php

From the BattleCry™ website: "We are excited to announce that on Friday, May 12, BattleCry™ is looking to hold 50+ BattleCry™ rallies in cities across the nation! We want you to be a part of this nation-wide movement of teenagers taking a stand for God and peacefully protesting the flood of immoral influence that is overtaking young people in our culture."

DO:
Plan a response. The more these kinds of groups appear to be unopposed the more their sense of entitlement and confidence grows.
*BUT- a response that shows your community’s tolerance and diversity is what’s needed. Involve different groups, and celebrate your diversity as a Community. BattleCry™ is NOT about acceptance or tolerance of differences, no matter what their marketing materials may say.
*Bring your own marketing materials. What’s it like to be different and be a teen? What’s it like to be a Buddhist or be an atheist or be gay? Some teens have never heard that “being different” (or even being anything other than a Christian evangelical) is not a negative thing. It's OK to be different!

Inform yourself about BattleCry™ and its backers. Share the info with the press.
Here’s a great resource for more info on Ron Luce/BattleCry™:
http://www.acquiretheevidence.com/articles/national-response.html

DON'T:
Give them what they want: A one day splash of positive publicity in 50 states all at once.

They’re looking for a fight and some video to rally their troops. Don’t fight- Celebrate! Celebrate the individuals/groups that make your community unique. It’s important to demonstrate that Ron Luce’s "spin" on what is moral or immoral is not the view of the mainstream. These are Extremists. Extremists who know how to market themselves. Extremists who are trying to influence young people at an impressionable age to join a culture of "battle" and "warriors". These teens are at risk of indoctrination into a new kind of mega-cult where no questions are asked and you happily do as you're told.
One God, One State and Intolerance for Diversity. That’s all they want.

BattleCry™ in San Francisco 3/06:
http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/03/1809715.php
-------------------
from the BattleCry™ Forum website:
http://forums.BattleCry.com/viewtopic.php?t=2131
Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2006 3:30 pm
Post subject: Looking for Rally Captains in the following cities...

We are excited to announce that on Friday, May 12, BattleCry is looking to hold 50+ BattleCry rallies in cities across the nation! We want you to be a part of this nation-wide movement of teenagers taking a stand for God and peacefully protesting the flood of immoral influence that is overtaking young people in our culture.

In order to facilitate this movement, we are looking for official Rally Captains in the following Cities:
Albuquerque, New Mexico - Ames, Iowa - Amherst, Massachusetts - Atlanta, Georgia - Baltimore, Maryland - Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Birmingham, Alabama - Boise, Idaho - Boston, Massachusetts - Buffalo, New York - Chicago, Illinois - Cleveland, Ohio - Dallas, Texas - Denver, Colorado - Detroit, Michigan - Fresno, California - Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Grand Rapids, Michigan - Hamilton, Ontario, Canada - Houston, Texas - Indianapolis, Indiana - Jacksonville, Florida - Kansas City, Missouri - Lansing, Michigan - Las Vegas, Nevada - Los Angeles, California - Macon, Georgia - Minneapolis, Minnesota - Muncie, Indiana - Nashville, Tennessee - New York, New York - Omaha, Nebraska - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Phoenix, Arizona - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Portland, Oregon - Rapid City, South Dakota - Richmond, Virginia - Sacramento, California - San Antonio, Texas - San Diego, California - San Francisco, California - Seattle, Washington - St. Charles, Missouri - Tacoma, Washington - Tampa Bay, Florida - Tulsa, Oklahoma - Tyler, Texas - Washington D.C.