Keeping the peace at rallies.

Effective strategies for keeping the peace at rallies.

Whichever side of the political fence you are on, or maybe even on another plane altogether, you may be concerned as I am about the potential for violence at the Town Halls for Health Care Reform. I would like to ask for your help.
Many of us who have been involved in social justice movements before have learned some things about protests and rallies. We know how crowds can be whipped up into a frenzy, and we know how they are calmed. We can use our skills to assist in keeping the rallies peaceful. Can you help get the word out to other members of our faith who may have the opportunity to assist at these rallies, and ask them to help keep the peace?
Effective strategies for keeping the peace at rallies:
Encourage people to make only positive signs about their point of view.
Encourage sign-makers and speakers to speak from a place of their values versus their anger.
Let the security guards and police know you appreciate them, and offer your assistance if they need anything.
Encourage protesters on both sides to avoid confrontations with people who seem overly agitated.
Encourage people to SING rather than to chant. Bring a megaphone and help get the singing started. What to sing? We shall overcome, God Bless America, The National Anthem, Our Country Tis of Thee, This Land is Your Land, etc. When people sing, they are les likely to fight. We have witnessed success in many civil rights and social justice movements in the past, and we can use our wisdom to help. keep the peace.
Bring water and share it. Nothing can lead to hot tempers like a hot day. Offer it to people of both sides as a sign of brotherhood/sisterhood.
Carry a cell phone, and a camera or videocamera, just in case.
Thank-you to all of you who are working tirelessly to help bring peace and compromise to this heated issue. May something good come out of this important dialogue.