Reached out to media outlets: Looping Others In

Media Team: I've been tweeting a lot over the past hour about #OccupyJAX and trying to get connected with media channels like WJCT, Folio Weekly, TU, and some of our local political representatives including Mayor Brown. I believe they need to have a way to make contact so we can have our voice heard, and that we need to make a case for why the OWS movement isn't about handouts and whining like it's being painted by politicians and some media outlets. I have made it very clear I do not speak for the organization, but am merely a part of it, but don't want to communicate in a vacuum or have anyone think I'm trying to hijack the cause. I recognize we don't need to conform, but educating the public and keeping officials in the loop can make building momentum a lot easier. They will often attempt to block what they don't understand, and can't communicate with. You can see my posts at http://twitter.com/@WeOccupyJAX . I suggest you follow me, I'll follow back and then we can private message so I can loop other voices into the conversation. The People Are The Power!

I see the merit of what you're saying. We've also already established contacts with various media platforms and have had articles or interviews with all you've listed so far. We've been quite in the majority of the local media because we're still getting grounded and cannot answer many questions. A thing to remember is that the Jacksonville branch is just over 2 weeks old (comparatively right around the time NYCGA first started showing up in major media for police brutality).

However, I do not believe we have any government official contacts. May be wrong, but I would not dissuade you from trying to cultivate any contacts of your own. Should you make some, let the group know!

I just followed you on twitter!

Okay, I believe we can have an "Outreach team", but all they would say to any government official is, if you want to talk to us as a group, come to our meetings. They can't call someone and talk to one person. This is a group conversation.