This was initially posted on Facebook on our BP = Biological Predator Community Page.  Since Facebook has recently taken down pages and even barred Administrators' access to their own pages as recently as Sunday, I think it is wise from here on after to disseminate important information using other forums.  Thus, I am posting this discussion here and I will include your comments to this blog on an ongoing basis.

We need suggestions on how we can keep the attention on the Gulf. Things are not OK there. The media has relegated the story to page 13 already...

Leeona Klippstein:   I recommend some Teach-In's by experienced activists that have been involved in national/international campaigns. Most likely need a series of them. This will help to better educate Gulf activists, develop short and long term strategies and identify group role players. This will help groups work together more cohesively.

Beth Coulter:  Keep pushing and posting. Write letters to the editor of papers and magazines. Use snail mail to have the biggest impact. Organize letter parties where dozens of people all write letters and mail them on the same day. This is better than email campaigns, which are marked spam and filtered. The voices of the Gulf must be raised loudly and consistently. Pics and vids must be promoted heavily, both on FB/youtube but also sent to media by many people.

Leeona Klippstein:  Considering the small public turn out at the rally, I'm not surprised that the media did not give more coverage. These events need media done by experienced activists or publicists. Bless Lydia for all her hard work and that of others.

Mainstream media wants excitement, something appealing for viewers. This is how they think. There needs to be workshops in the gulf regions on just this subject. How to deal with the media. There is an art to it. Relationships with reporters need to be built. In the beginning it's cold calls and leaving phone messages. You have to know how to present your issue and event to them, to entice them. You have to get the reporter to the point that they say "Can you email that to me?" and they give you their personal email address. If you cold email them, most likely they will not even read it.

Anthony Bracarello:  its hard because so many people just want it to be ok. they would rather just stay asleep..... also no one wants to hurt tourism by saying how bad it really is.......

Beth Coulter:  There was a good two minute piece on MSNBC this morning and the local noon ABC news had 20 or so seconds on the rally. What was the turnout?

Bonnie Cunard:  Leeona... that is an incredible idea to pull the groups together... there are many out there fighting hard, but it is difficult alone... the rally opened our eyes as to how many are fighting for the gulf... cohesion is important. great thought.

Jill Elyse Grossvoge:l  ABSOLUTELY. GET THE NUMBERS BY UNITING THE DISPARATE GROUPS WORKING TO THE SAME END. PUT EVERYONE UNDER THE SAME ROOF AND IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. ORGANIZE. ORGANIZE. ORGANIZE. AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE ON FACEBOOK, OR WE SHOULD USE A PEN NAME....