Tips for Passing a Local Resolution in Support of Rodolfo Montiel and Teodoro Cabrera
Find A Supportive Legislator --- In New York, we were lucky enough to have Council member Kathryn Freed approach us with the idea of introducing a resolution. WORK to find a supportive and persistent legislator AND get to know the legislator's staff. Local Sierra Club or Amnesty International volunteers and staff may have had experience with working with the City Council, particularly Sierra Club whose local activists are likely to be working with the City on a variety of issues. They would know the Council and who might be friendly to this resolution. In our case, Council member Freed's work with Sierra Club on the NYC "Good Wood" Bill laid a good foundation.
Don't expect the legislator and his/her staff to do all the work. Find out what you, along with Amnesty International and the Sierra Club can help with. Do they need to speak to an expert on the case? Do they need help drafting the resolution? Should we help inform other legislators on the case/our campaign? Should we organize a press conference?
Familiarize Yourself With The Legislative Process --- In New York, we learned everything we needed to know by
simply checking the Council's website and double-checking with Council member Freed's staff. Find out what needs to be done for a resolution to be introduced. What happens after it is introduced? Are hearings needed to be scheduled before it can come to a vote? How can they be scheduled? What can we do to keep it "moving" so that it won't get ignored by a committee or another body? How can it come to a vote?
It's worth stressing to the City Council that this is an urgent matter. The New York City Council considered our resolution by fast-tracking it as "urgent consideration." Working with the Council member is critical.
Keep Yourself Updated --- Keep yourself abreast on the issues. Turn to Sierra Club or Amnesty International offices for the latest information.
Use The NYC Resolution --- The language in the NYC resolution can be used verbatim in your resolution. Stressing that NYC *UNANIMOUSLY* approved that text may make your City Council feel more comfortable with what NYC did. If a Council member is concerned about specific language and would like to modify it, consult with the Sierra Club or Amnesty International staff on the wording.
Present The Facts & Prepare For Questions --- We can't stress enough the importance of knowing the facts and presenting only factual information. Not only does your reputation depend on it, but so does the reputation of Amnesty International, Sierra Club, and everyone else working on the case. Prepare to be questioned and prepare to give good answers. Some questions that were posed to us: How can you be sure that the prisoners are innocent? What is the
position of Mexican President Vicente Fox's administration on this case? Why should the City of New York take a stand on this problem? How are the prisoners doing?
If you don't know the answers to specific questions, don't panic. The staff at Amnesty International and Sierra Club (cristina.mestre@sierraclub.org.) are prepared to help prep you on these issues and make sure you're clear on the answers to these kinds of questions. Everyone's here to help!
Be Persistent and PATIENT --- It took nine months for the resolution to pass. Legislators are busy and so are their staff; it may take more than a few attempts to reach them. It's up to you to keep it moving!!!
This issue is not necessarily at the same priority level for a City Council as it is for us. Patience with them may pay off in a passed resolution; show a lack of patience and you'll wind up with annoyed Council members. This also highlights why it is so important to find someone friendly to the cause and then be persistent but patient.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Keep Cristina Mestre at cristina.mestre@sierraclub.org. apprised of your progress in getting your city council to pass the resolution. We are here to help and are looking forward to hearing from you on your efforts.
