When one of your state or local representatives signs the pledge to honor the Bill of Rights, let the media and the voters know -- in glowing terms. We've prepared this sample news release to give you an idea of what to say. Send your news release to all of the print, broadcast, and cable news outlets in the politician's district.
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CONTACT INFORMATION FOR YOU OR YOUR ORGANIZATION GOES HERE
DATE GOES HERE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
REP. DOORIGHT EARNS SPOT IN POLITICAL HONOR ROLL
Rep. Denise Dooright (Liberty County, 4th District) has joined the growing ranks of state and local politicians pledging to faithfully uphold the Bill of Rights. By signing the pledge, Dooright has earned a listing in the Political Honor Roll maintained by the national Bill of Rights Day Committee.
Alarmed by continuing expansions of government power, grassroots activists across the nation have begun holding politicians' feet to the fire, and holding representatives to their oath of office. Local activists request that state and local representatives sign a pledge distributed by the Bill of Rights Day Committee (www.yourfreedoms.org). Politicians who sign agree that they will support the Bill of Rights in their speeches, their personal lives, and their work. Further, they agree to actively oppose any government policy that violate the Bill of Rights.
The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments all guarantee some fundamental human right, such as free speech, freedom of religion, rights to a fair and open trial, right to own and carry firearms, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment. Many activists on both the left and right have become concerned by recent laws like the Patriot Act (which violates both free speech and Fourth Amendment protections against illegal searches and seizures) and by regulations and judicial policies (like endless "detentions" without trial, and trials with secret evidence or unnamed accusers) that bypass all constitutional processes.
"The U.S. Constitution is the highest law of the land," explains (YOUR NAME AND TITLE HERE). "At the time it was passed, many states refused to ratify it unless the Bill of Rights was attached to protect individual rights. So when politicians take an oath to defend the Constitution, they're also promising to follow the Bill of Rights. But in practice, most politicians simply ignore the law and pass whatever legislation some pressure group wants. In general, they do whatever makes the government more powerful than the people the government is supposed to serve."
The Bill of Rights Day Committee and grassroots activists nationwide aim to put a stop to the endless expansion of government power by monitoring what representatives do, and not merely what they say.
"The pledge is a beginning," explains (YOUR NAME HERE)."By signing, Rep. Dooright has told us her heart is in the right place. Now, we watch and make sure her actions remain legal and constitutional -- and especially make sure her work continues to respect Americans' fundamental freedoms and fundamental human rights. If she meets the Bill of Rights test, then Rep. Dooright deserves to remain on the Political Honor Roll. On the other hand, politicians who refuse to sign the pledge, or who sign and violate their promises, will find a place in the Hall of Shame."
The Honor Roll is online at www.yourfreedoms.org/politicianshr.html. The Hall of Shame is online at www.yourfreedoms.org/politicianshos.html.
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