In the coming months, tens of millions of public citizens will rally to fight fascism worldwide.  Especially with Donald Trump trying to turn the US into his personal dictatorship.
To oppose the rising fascist tide, we can expect countless great gatherings that energize the masses while impressing the media. 

Fortunately—-especially since Trump’s 2017 first coming—-rally organizers have grown increasingly adept at using these gatherings to build the data bases needed to follow through with a critical political mass.

Some methods work better than others  

Individuals hand gathering signatures, e-mails and phone numbers with lists on clipboards can be inefficient and error-prone.  

Fliers can be wasteful, clunky & prone to discard, especially if they lack a union bug or are printed on something other than hemp or recycled paper.  

But trial-and-error, plus some deep discussion (grassrootsep.org), have offered up a viable alternative worth considering:  business cards with QR codes that lead quickly and easily to pre-programmed websites.  

The websites are easily accessed through the QR code via cell phones, laptops, desk tops, etc.
or by text. QR codes (the square ones) are simply a way to encode some text such that the computer can read it through the camera — they do not extract any information from your phone or computer. You have to click on the text if it’s a URL to open that website.

The website databases can accept names, email addresses, phone numbers and whatever else the rally organizers deem useful and participants feel comfortable sharing.

The QR code just gets you to their website — it does not do anything to your data or send it anywhere. Once the website is on your screen the code has no further function.

The data bases are for the use of local rally organizers who have the option of sharing (or not) the gathered information with other like-minded organizations.

Business cards are attractive vehicles primarily because people tend to keep them by just quickly sticking them in a pocket.  Fliers are often too clunky to keep and too prone to being pitched. 

Organizers can guard against being counterfeited by using colored paper and/or ink, then informing rally participants only at the last minute of what the secure color(s) might be. 

Printing at a union shop, using only recycled and/or hemp paper, also contribute to security.  And to the righteousness of the organizing.  

The QR (Quick Response) codes and the websites to which they lead will also be carefully controlled, to be shared only among legitimate grassroots groups who are organizing for eco-social change.

Similar means are already being used at pro-green anti-fossil/nuke rallies.  

Organizers have also been using open-air screens or displays from which activists, participants/organizers can scan the QR codes directly.

But if you are handed a biz card, just remember to take it out of your pocket and scan it before your pants go in the washer!!!

Greatest appreciation to Lee Felsenstein for his guidance in this endeavor.
———————————————
GREEP (the Green Grassroots Emergency Election Protection Coalition) convenes by zoom (www.grassrootsep.org) convenes most Mondays at 2-4:20pm PT.  Join US!!!