NATIONAL WEAR A T-SHIRT DAYS
Protect the right of free speech by practicing
it.
National Wear A T-Shirt Days is an idea originated by MRF Communications
after the 2004 presidential election. There were several instances in which people were turned away from gathering places
because of messages on shirts they wore. There are also other people who hesitate to wear a message, for several reasons.
By establishing national days for wearing t-shirts, or buttons, several benefits could occur.
Goals of the events include:
* Encouraging individuals who might otherwise feel shy or conspicuous to
speak freely.
* Demonstrating the variety of issues that are on the minds of Americans.
* Demonstrating to elected officials and to the news media that individual
Americans have their own opinions.
* Promoting true democracy by reminding Americans that voting is only the
beginning.
* Encouraging Americans to think about the issues that are faced by the
nation, states, communities, and individuals.
So go ahead, wear a t-shirt, at the mall, on the treadmill, in the theater,
around the house, or wherever else we go. Demand that elections be about issues.
Demand that the news media covers issues, not gossip. Demonstrate that democracy extends beyond the ballot box.
2007 National Wear A T-Shirt Days:
National Wear A T-Shirt Days are planned for four times a year. They are
scheduled for the second Saturdays of January, April, July, and October. Saturday was selected because it is a day of the
week still considered by many Americans to be a day of play or for errands free from the constraints of an employer’s
ideology. Individuals who have religious or other obligations that prevent them from participating in Saturday events are
encouraged to make the following Sundays their T-Shirt Days. Individuals who participate on Saturdays but feel particularly
strongly about any issue are encouraged to join in on Sundays, as well.
January 13: Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday will
be celebrated the following Monday. Show the nation your dreams and founding philosophies, as well as your specific issues.
April 14: The deadline for federal tax filing is
two days away. Take advantage of the extra day in 2007. Show the nation your issues about government spending and your
beliefs on proper methods of taxation.
July 14: It's going to be hot this weekend in most of the nation. The summer heat is grilling candidates and elected officials
and so should currrent or future constituents. What are the issues and positions your dream candidate would champion?
October 13: Election Day is less than a month away
for some state and local offices. Don't let the candidates forget that whoever wins, they will represent you
and need to respect your issues. Remind the news media that you want the issues, as well as all the candidates, to be covered.
