Hey gang.
Ive been drafting a press release to send to local papers. Hopefully we can get an article or two that will act as outreach.
Im looking for quotes by volunteers/activists to put in the press release that explain why Birmingham Solidarity exists.
So if your willing please write a couple of sentences & yr name that may end up in the press release. Quotes may appear in an article (if any end up being published). Thanks
Bo
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No one who offers a quote will be required to do any press work beyond the quote.
I would like to emphasise something I wrote for the flyer - mutual aid means that we are normal people working together using the resources we have to solve the problems we all face. It’s not about charity or handouts, but about organising ourselves to meet our needs. Our needs are being badly neglected under the coronavirus crisis, but even before the pandemic we deserved much better than we got. Building mutual aid organisations isn’t just about surviving disasters, but about making permanent systems that will benefit our shared interests in future.
… or something like that
Thanks Ben that’s great stuff.
Bo
Heres the draft Ive done. Any information correction or general suggestions are most welcome.
I’ll insert a copy of the flyer with the document when I send it off.
Birmingham activist group convert cafe into free emergency meal delivery service
Press contact: ____
From Monday the 30th of March staff and supporters of the Warehouse Cafe in central Birmingham will deliver prepared meals to anyone in the area who calls for assistance.
The initiative has been named Birmingham Solidarity. It has over ____ volunteers and aims to deliver ____ meals week in the Birmingham area until this crisis has past.
The governments response to the coronavirus pandemic has been slow and inadequate. Much of the public infrastructure that Britain’s most at risk people rely upon was at breaking point due to government cuts before this crisis. Now that the government has ordered a nationwide lockdown many of those people could be at home with no support indefinitely. Birmingham Solidarity is based on mutual aid and direct action.
Quotes:
“Mutual aid means that we are normal people working together using the resources we have to solve the problems we all face. It’s not about charity or handouts and its not just about surviving disasters, its about making permanent systems that will benefit our shared interests in future.” Ben, Birmingham Solidarity organiser.
“The solidarity kitchen project has been an amazing service to fall back on during the pandemic, especially as a disabled person who needs to self-isolate for 12 weeks. Having a hearty and nutritious vegan meal at no cost has been a huge support physically and mentally!” - Shamima Akhtar, meal recipient.
See our flyer below.
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