In my previous diary I posted a call to action for a nonviolent protest against CBS's and NBC's censorship of the United Church of Christ ad, to take place December 18th and 19th.
Keep in mind: if the networks are successful in censoring this paid advertisement for the United Church of Christ, they will censor all future similar paid advertisements for all organizations, both religious and secular, if their messages are "too controversial" and if they go against legislation that the Executive Branch is proposing.
Because of the tight timeframe and the righteousness of this cause, I'm asking again for your support for this nonviolent action. More under the fold.
Everyone can participate in this protest. It can be as large as partnering your local faith community with other congregations to hold a candlelight vigil in an appropriate public place. It can be as small as asking your pastor, rabbi or imam to include a special prayer in support of the networks airing this ad and allowing this message of inclusion to be broadcast this holiday season.
You don't have to be religious or be a member of a religious organization to participate in this protest. Another way to support this call for action is to just get together with a few of your friends on the 18th or 19th of this month, and read and reflect upon other radical messages about inclusion and freedom of expression, such as the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" or Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop".
However you choose to participate, I would ask you to please do the following:
- Email CBS and NBC and let them know how you are engaging in this nonviolent protest.
- Write a letter to national media outlets and your local newspaper and television stations informing them of this protest and your participation in it.
- Email the United Churches of Christ press contact officer about your nonviolent action so that they can be aware of all of the activities happening around this ecumenical prayer protest. I have spoken with her about this call for action, and the UCC is supportive of ecumenical protests like this help get their message of inclusion and acceptance heard by as many people as possible:
Barb Powell
Press Contact
United Church of Christ
700 Prospect Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44115
216-736-2175
powellb@ucc.org
- If you are a member of a religious organization, please also contact your national officers to see if this is something we can get support on from national religious organizations.
- Email your friends and family this call for action and help us spread the word!
Thank you again for your support!