DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEES’ FUNCTIONS
KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
1. Planning and Timing
The success of any rally or demonstration
depends on careful planning, strategic timing, and clear objectives.
Avoid scheduling rallies on:
- Weekends
- Long weekends
- Mondays or Fridays
Best days: Tuesday
or Wednesday
Why?
- During weekends and long weekends, public officials,
parliamentarians, senators, and media are usually away from the
capital cities (e.g., Washington D.C., Ottawa, London). They typically
depart Thursday and return Monday.
- Media coverage is minimal on
weekends, reducing visibility and impact.
- Holding rallies during these times wastes valuable resources,
time, and energy without achieving meaningful results.
Recommendation:
Organize summer rallies at state or provincial levels, where elected
officials spend their holidays. National parliaments and congresses are usually
in recess during that period.
2. Preparation and Invitations
- Send invitation letters to public officials at least
30 days before the rally. This allows them time to prepare speeches
and coordinate with their teams.
- Invitations sent with less than two weeks’ notice often
result in rejections or non-participation.
- Organize parallel demonstrations in key cities: Ottawa,
Toronto, Vancouver (B.C.), Edmonton, and Calgary, as well as in major
European cities.
3. Strategic Questions to Consider
- Who will receive your message, policy paper, or meet with
organizers over a holiday weekend if officials are away?
- What is the true vision of your rally?
- To enjoy a gathering in the capital?
- Or to influence government policy and bring meaningful
change in South Sudan/Sudan (the Sudans)?
4. Effective Committees
The success of a rally depends on well-structured
committees with clear mandates and deliverables.
Committees should have the authority to plan, strategize, and evaluate
progress in alignment with the rally’s objectives.
5. Timing on the Day of the Rally
- The rally should begin between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
- This window allows maximum visibility and engagement
from passers-by and office workers during lunch hours — adding value and
potential supporters.
6. Essential Reminder
No major rally held on a long weekend,
weekend, Monday, or Friday has ever achieved significant success — unless
backed by active participation of public officials.
Always define clearly:
- Who will do what, when, and how,
- and follow up daily to ensure accountability.
7. Call to Action
If you cannot give up one day to
join the rally, do not complain about:
- Oppression and discrimination
- Economic inequality
- Injustice and land grabs
- “Divide and rule” politics
Change requires participation.
Now is the time for everyone to work together to bring lasting change to South
Sudan.
COMMITTEES AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
1. Operations Committee
Functions:
- Chaired by individuals with operations and event management
experience
- Develop event checklists and programs
- Select an MC and coordinate speakers (Main
speaker: 10 minutes max; others: 5 minutes)
- Prepare the official message to public officials:
- Brief background of the issue
- Current situation
- Recommended actions
- Avoid long speeches
- Coordinate with stakeholders (ethnic communities,
partners, etc.)
- Design banners, leaflets, and messaging
- Select music, performers, and dancers
- Coordinate police and security
- Manage food and water logistics
2. Finance & Logistics Committee
Functions:
- Led by members with logistics or finance experience
- Mobilize resources: volunteers, donations, and in-kind
contributions
- Manage guest itineraries and media coordination
- Request support letters or donations from businesses
(e.g., food, water)
- Arrange transportation and accommodation for
out-of-town guests
- Provide clear directions and travel details
3. Outreach Committee
Functions:
- Led by members experienced in advocacy, lobbying, and
community engagement
- Notify and engage:
- African diaspora
- South Sudanese communities
- African American, Latin American, and Jewish organizations
- Provide event overviews to:
- Media
- Members of Congress / Parliament
- Policy makers, NGOs, churches, schools, etc.
- Send formal invitations (at least 30 days prior)
- Coordinate media appearances and message delivery
- Strengthen outreach with African diaspora organizations
4. Health Committee
Functions:
- Chaired by licensed medical professionals
- Engage local doctors and nurses for support
- Identify South Sudanese medical personnel to assist
- Coordinate with local health authorities
- Provide first aid kits
- Invite city ambulance services
5. Public Officials Committee
Functions:
- Led by individuals with expertise in lobbying, public
affairs, and communications
- Compile a list of all relevant officials (Democrats,
Republicans, Mayors, Senators, MPs)
- Establish communication with their offices
- Discuss participation in the rally and related issues:
- Human rights violations
- Land grabs
- Insecurity
- Failed peace implementation
- Political reform and federalism
- Develop a policy position and advocacy strategy
- Present diaspora voter influence and demographics
- Request event sponsorship and media coverage
- Encourage officials to post and share rally information
6. Security Committee
Functions:
- Chaired by individuals with law enforcement or security
experience
- Protect people and property from potential threats (including
regime agents or provocateurs)
- Identify and manage safety risks
- Prevent, detect, and respond to disruptive actions
- Liaise with local police (e.g., DC Metropolitan Police)
- Monitor for loss prevention and crowd safety
7. Religious Groups Committee
Functions:
- Chaired by a Pastor, Father, or Sister experienced in
interfaith coordination
- Communicate clearly and concisely the rally’s core message
to faith communities
- Request:
- Prayers
- Sponsorships
- Announcements through church
channels
- Engage all denominations to ensure broad moral and
spiritual support
8. Human Rights (HRTs) Committee
Functions:
- Led by individuals with human rights and advocacy
backgrounds
- Engage organizations like:
- The Enough Project
- Amnesty International
- International Crisis Group
- Request partnership and collaboration
- Develop a policy paper on South Sudan’s political crisis
and recommend federalism as a potential solution
9. State Representatives Committee
Functions:
- Led by individuals skilled in public speaking and
mobilization
- Each state should appoint a rally representative linked
to the Operations and Logistics Committees
- Relay key messages to diaspora communities
- Communicate with local elected officials
- Mobilize resources and participation
- Maintain an attendance commitment list
- Provide daily updates to coordination teams
© Laku’s Research Centre
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