Here are five sample postcard messages advocating for law enforcement reform. The first statement of the topic is the same in each. The bold type is the different message in each.

Use verbatim, or adapt for yourself, or create your own message; just remember to be concise.

Remember to include your return address and the official’s correct title, name and mailing address.

A.

Dear official,

I am a regular voter in your constituency. Violence against Blacks by law-enforcement must be stopped.

I request that you support the establishment of a Civilian Review Board to investigate citizen complaints of law enforcement misconduct, and that you support broad-based reforms that will enforce swift and visible accountability of any law-enforcement violations of the human and constitutional rights of our Black, and all, citizens. Thank you.

B.

Dear official,

I am a regular voter in your constituency. Violence against Blacks by law-enforcement must be stopped.

I request that you support the adoption of policies providing for non law-enforcement street outreach and intervention for Black and other citizens with mental health, homelessness and substance addiction challenges. Resources must urgently be directed to strengthen and expand our public health agencies having these professional skills. Thank you.

C.

Dear official,

I am a regular voter in your constituency. Violence against Blacks by law-enforcement must be stopped.

I request that you support the updating of all law-enforcement agencies’ use-of-force policies to make de-escalation the first and central principle. Equipping and training our officers with military style gear and tactics is NOT an answer. The answer is the funding, training and enforcing of de-escalation as the primary strategy. Thank you.

D.

Dear official,

I am a regular voter in your constituency.Violence against Blacks by law-enforcement must be stopped. While racist hostility toward Blacks does exist, studies show that unconscious bias against Blacks is present in most people. In stressful, unpredictable situations, officers’ unconscious value judgments result in unwarranted violence. I call on you and your staff to establish training in specific techniques to counter the reflexive actions against Blacks that derive from unconscious bias. Thank you.

E.

Dear official,

I am a regular voter in your constituency. Violence against Blacks by law-enforcement must be stopped. A fundamental problem facing supporters of law-enforcement reform is the current patchwork of local, state and federal government policies. I call on you to support a national uniform certification program for all law-enforcement agencies at all levels. We have a nationwide Black brutality epidemic. We need a nationwide solution. Thank you.