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Politics: Wearing your heart on your highway

The Scarlet Pimpernel, of the Freeway Blogger, asks you to join him in a very visual get out the vote effort. Those of you familiar with this blogger's banners, which are posted above and beside highways, realize that his is a very effective form of expression. A problem with just blogging is that only the comparative handful of people familiar with the blogosphere even know we exist. The Scarlet Pimpernel breaks that barrier. He believes you can, too.

Freeway Free Speech Day: Driving America to Think

October 13, 2004

On October 13th, hundreds of activists nationwide will post signs critical of the Bush Administration on area freeways, reaching millions of voters in states from Maine to California. The Freeway Blogger has posted more than 2000 such signs over the last year.

In addition to coordinating activists, we will launch a nationwide media campaign to promote the fact that hundreds (if not thousands) of these signs are going up across America on the same day, and to highlight this newest, and oldest, form of civic dialog. We anticipate wide-spread news coverage about this powerful grassroots effort.

The ultimate goal is to increase voter turnout and defeat Bush.

We also hope to stimulate the democratic process in the way it was originally intended--with each citizen being able to express their political views directly to their fellow citizen.

We are asking for your help in posting signs and recruiting activists, especially in the following states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

If you plan to post freeway banners, please email us to let us know so that we can include your numbers in our media outreach. If possible, please also take a digital photo of your banner and email it to us on October 13th. We will add it to the visitor’s gallery as a resource for reporters and fellow freeway bloggers.

Please also read the How To and the frequently asked questions sections to learn how to safely post your message, and for other important information.

Last, tell your network of friends and activists to join us. Together, we can drive America to Think again.

-- The Scarlet Pimpernel

Freeway blogging is another way to heighten voter awareness as Election Day approaches. I recently blogged about the Democrats increased spending on online advertising. Those messages reach a significant part, but not all, of the population. One bright aspect of posting signs supporting candidates is that they are low cost. Another is that they reach people who cannot afford to be on the Internet. If you have the time and ability, I encourage you to consider this form of activism.

What's the art?

The Freeway Blogger influenced a father and son to create their own sign.