Make Your Voice Heard: Say No to Commercialism in Public Spaces

Is your city or state considering selling naming rights or advertising on public properties? If you agree with us that this sort of commercialism undermines the value of public spaces and exacerbates the ills of an already advertising-saturated society, it’s time to speak up.

What can you do?

To stop this disconcerting trend, there are many ways you can take action. Here are a few suggestions:

  • First, share your story about commercialism in your community's public spaces.
  • Write a letter to the editor of your local paper.
  • Send an email or letter to your local or state government representatives, urging them to vote against legislation that would make ads on public space legal.
  • Join forces with others! You’re more likely to be heard if you mobilize a group of like-minded community members. Together, you can:
     
  • Stage a demonstration
  • Start a petition and collect signatures
  • Organize a letter writing campaign, targeting the officials who are responsible for the policies or who are considering such policies
  • Encourage your legislators to adopt a resolution banning the sale of naming rights or advertising on public space. Check out a 2002 proposed resolution from San Francisco for ideas.

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