Preemptive Leafleting/get them before they buy a ticket

[Lisa Qualls]

When we protest the circus we sometimes hear "I wish I had known this before I bought my ticket".  Preemptive leafleting was started to solve that problem, but we found out that it has other benefits.

What it is:  About a month or two before your target comes to town visit animal-friendly events that attract the same audience to leaflet against your target.  For example, if your target is the circus you could find other events that attract children and leaflet against the circus there.  

How to do it:  You do a lot of the same things you would when you protest your target.  If my target is the circus I might use leaflets that explain why it is wrong to use animals for entertainment.  I will also have a special note thanking the public for attending an event that does not use animals and asking them not to buy a ticket when the circus comes to town.  I avoid giving them details about the circus coming because I don't want to provide advertising for the circus.

Other benefits:  We have found that it is much easier to have conversations with the public when they are not feeling defensive.  Since we are thanking them for attending entertainment that does not use animals, and since they are not going to the circus at that moment, they feel more comfortable talking with us.  Another benefit is we get more people agreeing with us, so anyone overhearing the positive conversation is more likely to consider to the message.  Another benefit is that since we are not protesting we don't get as much resistance from the venue, so we have a much easier time talking with people.

As always, this is just advice.  Please use your best judgement and stay safe.

[Tim Gier]

I like this idea, it makes sense to me to interact with people who are likely to support our efforts in ways that are non-confrontational. Thanks for sharing!!

[Charlotte Duncan]

Brilliant!