Raise Awareness

Lend your voice to the media coverage of the Irvine 11. Call-in to your favorite radio station. Write a letter-to-the-editor to the local newspapers. Pen an op-ed piece. Or just comment on a previous story. The only thing you can’t do is remain silent.

Suggested Talking Points:

• Any decision to prosecute the students is a form of selective prosecution. There are student protests practically every day throughout American campuses. Even if we disagree with how the UC Irvine students went about their protest, we do not see any merit in criminal prosecution of their behavior. The University has already disciplined the MSU by banning the Muslim Student Union for the Fall quarter (which just ended), followed by two years of probation. Even the Dean of the UC Irvine Law School, Erwin Chemerinsky, (who opposed the students’ protest last year) has come out publicly opposing any criminal prosecution of the students.
• Criminal prosecution is a waste of taxpayer funds, especially because the university already disciplined the students.
• Prosecuting students for a peaceful protest on a university campus would establish a negative precedent that will affect university students throughout Orange County and beyond Southern California.

Tips on Writing an Letter to the Editor

A letter to the editor is a great way to address an issue. Studies show this section is one of the most popular sections of the newspaper, especially with local policy-makers. Here are some quick tips:

• Keep your letter between 150 – 250 words.
• Deals with ONE issue or misconception.
• States the purpose of the letter in 25 words or less.
• Gives background information on the issue or misconception.
• Offer a solution.
• Include your name, city of residence and phone number when you submit your letter (your phone number will not be published).

Local newspapers are a great place to send letters to. You can also check out this website for national news outlets. Feel free to submit your letter to multiple newspapers.

Spread the Word

Fight injustice with knowledge. Flood Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google Buzz, and the blogosphere with news and information on the Irvine 11. You can:

1. Join the Facebook group.
2. Tweet about the campaign. Use the hashtag #irvine11 – example: “Stand with the Irvine 11 against injustice: www.irvine11.com #irvine11″
3. Host an event at your college campus, your mosque, your church, your library. Start a discussion; educate people on the situation and the fight for civil rights in this country.
4. Email your family, friends and community about the Stand with the Eleven campaign. Give them quick, easy tips on how they can help. You can find a sample email below.

SAMPLE EMAIL

Hello all,

On February 8, 2010, protestors at the University of California-Irvine spoke out one by one during a speech by Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren. They did so to give voice to the people silenced by the policies of Oren’s government. After their protest, they faced a crackdown from their university, which suspended the organization that many of them belonged to, the Muslim Students Union. And now they face unprecedented criminal charges from the Orange County DA.

They need your support.

>> Ways You Can Help <<

1. Sign the petition.
2. Call or email the DA to voice your concern. His number is 714.834.3600.
3. Voice your support: call your favorite radio station, write a letter to your local newspaper, comment on an article.
4. Educate others through blogs, social networking websites, word of mouth, etc.

For more information, visit the Irvine 11 website!