Free Filep Action at the White House in November 2011
This action will unfold in three acts, beginning with street theater, growing into a flash mob, and then
becoming a rally, before key note addresses and a march back to the buses. The first act is key to
building the energy of the action, and will not only be the main teaching tool for the public, but will also
invite public participation as much as possible. The second act will consolidate the energy of the rally,
and will focus primarily on chanting. The third act will bring everything back to the purpose of the
action, calling on everyone there to learn more about Filep, and more importantly, to continue taking
action. If at any time the police engage the Flash Mob, they will be directed to the police liaison. If the
police ask us to move to the square at any time (just a few yards away from the pavement), we will
comply and continue with the script from there.
Act 1: Flash Mob/Street Theater
Bus #1: First on the scene, those on this bus are responsible for setting the scene.
Before getting off the bus, the group will divide into Flag-bearers (32) and “First Wave.” After
getting off the bus, Jiva Flag-bearers will make their way to the street in between the White
House and Lafayette Square. The Bus Team will lead the rest of the group to station themselves
nearby, but spread out, acting like tourists or just pretending to enjoy the park and take in the
sights. When everyone is in place the action will begin. The Bus Team will remain near the edge
of the flash mob to act as marshals and speak with any police
Jiva: Mic check! (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: Mic check! (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: On December 1, 2004 (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: Filep Karma and hundreds of others (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: participated in a peaceful flag raising ceremony (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: in Papua, Indonesia. (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: Indonesian authorities advanced on the crowd (Flag-bearers repeat)
Jiva: firing shots and beating people with batons. (Flag-bearers repeat)
First Wave joins. All: “Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma!”
Bus#2: Those on this bus will be responsible for building the energy.
Before getting off the bus, the group will divide into “Second Wave” (left side of the bus) and
“Third Wave” (right side of the bus). When they get off the bus, the Bus Leaders and Bus Team
will lead the group to the pavement between the White House and Lafayette Square, and will
station themselves nearby, but spread out, acting like tourists or just pretending to enjoy the
park and take in the sights. When the call and response begins, they will begin to appear
interested and get closer, but will not join in until the Bus Leader begins. The Bus Team will
remain near the edge of the flash mob to act as marshals.
Jiva: Mic Check! (flag-bearers and First Wave repeat)
Dani: Mic Check! (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: After forcing an end (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: to a peaceful ceremony (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: police arrested Filep Karma. (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: Filep Karma was sentenced (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: to 15 years in prison (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Dani: for raising a flag. (flag-bearers, First and Second Wave repeat)
Third Wave joins. All: “Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma!”
Bus #3: Those on this bus will be responsible for building the energy.
When they get off the bus, the Bus Leaders and Bus Team will lead the group to the pavement
between the White House and Lafayette Square, and will station themselves nearby, but spread
out, acting like tourists or just pretending to enjoy the park and take in the sights. When the call
and response begins, they will begin to appear interested and get closer, but will not join in until
the Bus Leader begins. The Bus Team will remain near the edge of the flash mob to act as
marshals.
Jiva: Mic Check! (All but Fourth Wave repeat)
Jasmine: Mic Check! (All, including Fourth Wave, repeat)
Jasmine: Filep Karma was imprisoned (All repeat)
Jasmine: for the peaceful and legitimate exercise (All repeat)
Jasmine: of his right to freedom of expression. (All repeat)
Jasmine: We call on the Indonesian government (All repeat)
Jasmine: to free Filep Karma (All repeat)
Jasmine: and all other prisoners of conscience. (All repeat)
Final Wave (on Bus #4) joins. All: “Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free Filep Karma! Free
Filep Karma!”
Bus #4: Those on this bus will be responsible for materials (signs) canvassing with petitions
(Canvassers), and engaging others at the scene (Final Wave). They will also be responsible for
catalyzing the energy of the flash mob and leading the group back to Lafayette Square for Act 2
and Act 3.
When they get off the bus, Bus Leader and Bus Team will go immediately to the site of the rally
(East Center Grass Panel of Lafayette Square), bringing all signs and megaphones. When
Jasmine begins the final “Mic-Check”, the Final Wave will join the Flash Mob, and begin
dispersing signs and placards to participants. Flash Mob, led by Bus Leaders and Bus Teams, will
then begin marching back to East Center Grass Panel.
Act 2: Rally: At full capacity, the Flash Mob will march and begin varied chants for 20-30 minutes.
Canvassers will continue to get petition signatures, and marshals will remain on the outside edges of the
rally.
Act 3: Speeches: Claudia will address the crowd, and then introduce Audryn. After the speeches, Bus
Teams will gather their groups, and all will march back to the buses. Action Team, staff, and interns, will
make sure that the space is clean, before returning to the buses.