Inform and
Activate  

Talking points for people who will become activists
when they see how specific scientific issues are impacting them today.

Target Audience

These folks are likely to agree with our cause, but are unaware of the current state of affairs and won’t act until it impacts them. Highlighting niche issues is a way to show how them how they are being affected right now.

Expectations

They don’t disagree with the cause, but they’re not active. Find the issue they care about and that will spur them to action.

What to Say

  • We have a year to take back our science by flipping Congress to a Democratic majority.

  • The Take Home Message: No one is safe when the government guts science and research.

    The Ask: There are issues that matter to you — and the Trump administration’s actions dismantling science will continue to cause harm to you, your loved ones, and your community. You can help save our scientific ecosystem by joining the Science Fight Club!

  • Focus on activating this person by leveraging key issues that directly impact them now. Issues may vary by region.

    Micro-target and know all the salient issues in your area.

    Issues could include:

    • Cuts to national weather service (e.g., flood, tornado, hurricane, or wildfire alerts)

    • Cuts to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention

    • Cuts to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and reduced services for people who need help with addiction

    • Gutting of cancer research and cancelation of funding for potential cures

    • Ending Alzheimer’s research

    • Cuts to Veterans Affairs medical and mental health services

    Example scripts:

    • We all care about this issue, and I know it impacts you directly. Did you know that the administration has cancelled funding for [X], resulting in canceled studies, halted research and/or suspended services?

    • [X] isn’t partisan! [X] doesn’t care who you voted for. Cutting this science doesn’t help anyone. (E.g.: Cancer isn’t partisan! It doesn’t care who you voted for. Cutting this science doesn’t help anyone.)

    Once you’ve identified their niche issue, it’s time to activate and onboardthem.

    Ask them to join The Science Fight Club

    You will receive daily prompts for small actions you can take to defend science in America. It’s so easy!

    And by September, you will be a fully engaged activist speaking truth to power.

  • Self-defeating attitude towards action (there’s no point, it won’t make a difference)

    Every small action builds momentum and contributes to the fight. We are all constituents — and our opinions, our demands, and the issues that matter to us can and will influence decisions taken in Washington, DC.

    For example: The impact of NIH cuts on the constituents — and the 14 Republican senators who wrote a letter opposing funding cuts to the NIH.

    What about all the other issues that are important to me?

    The White House uses a “flood the zone” strategy to keep people feeling disorganized, overwhelmed, and isolated. It works by making it hard to pick one area of focus. But, if we all pick a lane and move in the same direction, we can fight back!

    Science is foundational. It keeps Americans (and the world) healthy, it is an engine of economic growth and jobs, it protects our environment, and it delivers new technology... for all Americans.