The 2020 election is just months away; there are concerns surrounding major corporations operating during the pandemic and impending threats to the economy; the student loan crisis and climate change are more prominent than ever. With all of this going on, there are more reasons than ever to get involved in activism.
Previously planned events like phone banks, sit-ins and marches have been cancelled, but national and Penn State organizations are resorting to digital activism to spread messages during a time where stories must not be forgotten.
Share Your Story
Many Penn State organizations may have moved online and host weekly Zoom sessions in place of in-person meetings, but this isn’t the only way to be involved while staying home. Phonebanking events for candidates can be found by entering your location on your preferred candidate’s website. All you need to participate is a phone and the script from your chosen organization.
Organizations such as Planned Parenthood and UNICEF are utilizing at-home callers and online forms to submit to local legislators for you to share your stories and advocate for legislation to be passed.
Online Petitioning
Petitioning has become easier than ever with Change.org, and there are thousands of petitions that you can sign and share on social media and with your friends and family. A petition started by Penn State students earned over 6,000 signatures and successfully convinced the university to refund a percentage of housing and meal plans for on-campus residents for the spring semester following the campus shutdown.
Another recent Change.org victory overturned New York State’s recent law that banned a support person, such as a spouse, partner or parent from being in a labor and delivery rooms, with over 600,000 signatures.
Other causes that have gained momentum during the Coronavirus outbreak include the call for the cancellation of student loans and hazard pay for USPS employees. By simply making a Change.org account, you can browse petitions by popularity or interest and sign with one click.
Virtual Events
March On is promoting voter registration through social media and providing users a district map to help sponsor voting registration, focusing on working women, women of color and young people. Strike With Us and the Youth Climate Strike promoted Earthday.org’s first ever Earth Day Live, a 72-hour livestream event to promote climate action on April 22.
Although the outbreak of coronavirus has changed so many aspects of our lives, the need for change persists and you can become involved with any cause you are passionate about. Using technology to advocate for change, even during a pandemic, is proving not only necessary but successful.
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