1760 SIGNATURES: NEXT STEPS

We are asking signers and supporters to contact their elected officials, especially members of congress. However, any elected official is good. Local sheriffs are also very good. Steps to take: 1. Make an appointment to speak with the official or one of their senior staff. The senior staff share with the official the issues that they are hearing. 2. Make a copy of this petition and pass it out to office staff, make sure elected official gets a copy. 3. Possible script: You: "I have extreme concerns, in fact I am terrified at what is happening in our courts and prisons with respect to innocent people who have never been convicted. What is happening to them could happen to me. There are so many laws on the books that at any given time I may be breaking one, without knowing it. There is nothing to stop a judge from throwing me in jail at their whim, they have the power to do so. My biggest concern is that the presumption of innocent until proven guilty is dead and I can be denied bail and get lost in the system" Official " I think you have nothing to worry about. If you are doing your best to obey the law and be a good citizen, then you will not be thrown in jail without full due process." You " As noted in this petition, the Bundys were thrown in jail without any proof that they are a flight risk or a danger to society. It was based on hearsay and speculation. No evidence. The fundamental right to be innocent until proven guilty was flushed down the toilet with respect to the Bundys and thousands of others. Once in jail, they were subject to abuse and mistreatment including the beating suffered by Ryan Bundy. The problem Mr. Official is that prisons are mostly private with no citizen oversight. There are profit motives for keeping prisons full and cutting costs at the expense of the prisoners. Once on the inside, prisoners have few rights or protections, far less than the average citizen. It doesn't take much to become a prisoner and be at the mercy of the prison staff" Official: "Well, thank you for bringing it to my attention. I will have somebody look into it" You: "Mr Official, this is extremely important to me. We are taught that we should get involved if we want things to change. I desperately want this to change. I would like to form a special committee of citizens to investigate this further and report our findings to you for further action. Can I call you in two weeks to discuss progress?" Official: "I will be traveling but please leave a message with my assistant." You: "Thank you for your time. We will also be working with the press and media and will be sure to mention you as one of the key players in making significant change. We look forward to working with you to get this injustice changed"