From the American Policy Center
Tom DeWeese, President
70 Main Street, Suite 23
Warrenton, VA 20186
http://www.americanpolicy.org

Please read the following urgent alert from our friends at EdWatch and take immediate action.

Grassroots Organizations like APC and EdAction
are Under Attack

Stop the U.S. Senate from Restricting Grassroots Activism.
Call Both of Your Senators NOW:

The United States Senate debated an Ethics Reform bill, Senate Bill 1, this week, which includes a section that subjects "grassroots lobbying" to government regulations. Grassroots lobbying has long been seen as separate and distinct from "lobbying activity." With this bill, our efforts to empower you with action alerts will be subject to government regulation.

Section 220 targets any organization with more than 500 supporters or an organization that communicates with 500 or more individuals. Those affected include every blogger, every church, every non-profit or any group that uses direct mail, telephone calls, newspaper or print ads, paid organizers, radio and TV ads and Internet communications.

This would require all organizations like American Policy Center and EdAction to go through miles of red tape, including notifying Congress 45 days prior to engaging in an Action Alert. This would prevent us from sending out an urgent message to you like this one about a specific vote. We could even face $100,000 fines for running afoul of the oppressive regulations.

However, the legislation exempts labor unions, corporations and even foreign companies from these reporting requirements.

Senator Bennett of Utah has an amendment to remove the grassroots provisions from S.1, the section that clearly tramples on our First Amendment rights to free speech and the right of every citizen to petition his government!

Next week at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16th, the Senate will resume consideration of S.1, the Ethics Reform bill. Use this time to notify everyone to oppose this radical move to silence the public.

We need you to tell your two Senators right away to support free speech! Call the toll-free number below NOW to reach both of your Senators, telling them to OPPOSE any attempt to restrict grassroots activism: 1-800-459-1887

When the operator answers, ask for the Senators from your state. When you reach their offices, simply say:
"I am opposed to government restrictions on grassroots activism.
I would like my Senator to OPPOSE Section 220 of the bill S. 1.
Support the Bennett amendment to remove that section. Thank you."
NOTE: If that toll-free number doesn't work, call your Senators directly at 1-202-224-3121.

Send this Alert to EVERYONE you know who wants to help tell the Senate to support free speech rights and oppose restrictions on grassroots activism. Thank you!

EdAction / 105 Peavey Road, Suite 116 /Chaska, MN 55318 /952-361-4931 /

Visit the American Policy Center website