I just wrote Janice for some advice!

I always thought to fight you had to first be arrested of violating a law... Something I obviously didn't want!

But if I can sue (especially anonymously) I may do so.

I wish I had known this 4 years ago when I realized all these blinking laws in IL continue to apply even after the registry! I'd have fought years ago if I thought I could do so anonymously.

It's too late for me and IL because I need to leave so I can participate in my children's schooling but I'll fight from up north.

This is a support group and activist organization is strictly prohibited. This borders on that line of being against the rules... but brings up good discussion points about participation.

I agree that the reason that the movement fails in many states (even here in WI) is lack of participation from the registrants and their families in the state. I did a letter campaign here in WI and got a 1% response from the hundreds of letters that were sent. had I gotten a better response from the first 1000 that were sent i might have continued with the other 21000.... but because of lack of response and lack of interest, lack of funds and lack of time I have chosen to provide information and research that I have done.

Like I have said before, people are apathetic until it comes knocking on their door. Those registrants that are not being bothered and have a good job and life don't care about anyone else but themselves until it touches their lives and they wonder why someone hasn't done anything before... the question they need to be asking is why they haven't done anything before they were directly affected. Because their own answer is the answer they are seeking from others.

Even with a strong leader if there isn't a good support team behind them those movements will eventually fizzle because it is just too much for ONE person to do. VA RSOL is a perfect example of what happens when there is only one person really doing all the work. When that person needs to focus on other parts of their life and wish to delegate the responsibilities that they were handling and no one steps up to the plate, it is just another example of how people want to say they do things but really are only riding the coat tails of the person really doing the work.

The best response I ever got were from people that were in no position to assist (those still on supervision and GPS) for they needed to focus on their own movement forward towards freedom of supervision rather than making waves in the media and in the public or down in Madison at the capital. They are the most willing to want to help, wanting to make a difference. Those that are not on supervision they just don't want to 'deal' with it anymore, even though they deal with it everyday.

We have been bred to be apathetic, all of us, and those of us that fight it more than others, are the ones that usually lead the pack in this movement and in many other aspects of our lives.

wiconsinrsol, Yes this is a support group, I will keep it that way, but in all respect why do so many need support, because of the laws, it could be a lot different if you paid for your crime then were able to move on with your life.

Funny how you said you had written letters and received very little response, same here in my state, not much bang for the money and time spent.


but I do like your response , you are dead on in your last statement.


Regards
buildingupslow

. Those that are not on supervision they just don't want to 'deal' with it anymore, even though they deal with it everyday.

I have been off probation for over a year, I still fight because in my mind it is the right thing to do, I have a good job, home etc, do not have the law breathing down my neck but I know in my heart that many of these laws are wrong, I will always support my state group it is just I have never understood why the many will not fight, but you bring some interesting points that make it more clear.

Thank you for your insight,wiconsinrsol.

Regards
buildingupslow

Thank you, buildingupslow, I couldn't have said it better myself!

We all know this is a support group, per wisconsinrsol. It's primarily a place to find support, grieve, talk and share, and get 'hugs'. Fine, I personally can get behind that. I want everyone to think though, abut the groups that are fighting for all of us. I remember one poster came in, MASSIVELY stressed, to the breaking point. I bet if you were to look their way, they'd collapse on the floor and start hysterically screaming to be left alone. So, i can see where the direction and purpose of this board have come into existence.

I remember talking to someone in RSOL once, well, ranting actually. This was back in 2009, before I joined the cause. I was ranting about how unfair and unjust the laws were. This person listened, and then said, 'Well, you have TWO choices..One, you can sit around and complain about the laws and how unfair they are, OR, you can join the fight to change them and/or bring them down.' So I joined the cause. It's a way of empowering yourself and taking control of your life, and the outcome of your situation.

No one here should be waiting for the other person or organization to do it or get it done, WE"RE it folks. The laws are NOT going to get better or go away on their own. We need all the monetary help, the physical help, the numbers and bodies we can bring to the fight, however or whatever you can bring in your own way and circumstance. We could be even farther along on the way towards reform if we had more help. There's LOTS of plans, strategies, activities that are already drawn up, or in the works. WE just need the help.

Something else I've learned..right or wrong, any legal action takes 1-3 years from beginning to end, to work it's way through the system. I want to see 2014 be the breakout year, where the tide finally turned.

As for those who are scared, well, here's something..Yeah, we might lose, you're right. But, if we do nothing, then we've CERTAINLY lost, and in fact, we've made it easy for them. Better be shot as a ram than a sheep, as the saying goes.

I've posted links at the top of this board titled 'Resources for Information' Take a look guys, and think and see what you can do.

Dave in the Philippines

I admit to being one who hasn't acted in the past.

But in my case I am afraid of losing my job and if I lose it I will be without a house or car as my husband is on disability due to end stage renal failure.

Second to that is fear my children will suffer if my status is made more visible.

All I've done in the past is donate money but little good it's done here in IL.

In the past I thought fighting these laws useless as in IL the lobbying group (IL Voices) has gotten little traction. But the recent traction in other states makes me wonder if the same can be done in IL.

I am not dealing with the registry currently as Hub is still incarcerated, but i have been stepping up to fight against these laws that WILL impact us whenever Hub comes home. I've also gotten to a place financially where I am able to donate to the different organizations. I cant donate to all of them at once, but "spread the love" to each different one as money is available. We can donate even $5 a month to one organization. If every RSO and family member donated just $5 a month (when able, as I understand most cannot) then we would have a large arsenal against the laws that are unconstitutional.

I wish it weren't true... I wish people would stand up for themselves...

There is a line in the Declaration of Independence, which is the reason that I got involved in the first place.

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." - Thomas Jefferson

That quote, is the reason I still do research, pay for the domain name, keep the 501 c3 up and answer the phone for the organization I built. Because even if it is little I am doing what I can personally. What that quote means is that those that can fight and provide new guards should because it is the right thing to do.

If nothing else, a support group for movement leaders wouldn't be a bad idea.. as it is a thankless and tiresome job that is never ending. I knew that going in, I hoped for better participation from the 22,000 registrants here in WI.

If no one has told you... Thank you for your efforts in trying to make things better for all.

IvyDog, good point. I've talked to Tonia Maloney, she's a good person, very committed and driven. Her state is a tough one, well, all of them are actually. We're faced with the Perfect Storm, and very little help. Gail Coletta in FL was talking about her state has roughly 53,000 registrants, and only a handful, maybe 10-12 working full time with FAC, for the entire state, Janice in CA has said on the CA RSOL board that she and CA RSOL can certainly do more, a laundry list of legal actions, but, there has to be the money from people to implement challenges.

So, we're spread dangerously thin. With any significant change/win in one state, that will help, the momentum and help can be applied to other states, and so on. That will be the tipping point that Janice talks about.

Dave in the Philippines

Ivydog, it is the very fear that you describe that paralyzes most people from helping with the cause and it is you that is affected the most by the kinds of laws they are passing. I understand your fear, but even in times such as the revolutionary war where we gave ourselves new guards, the few, most with families decided that the status quo was never going to be OK and their families would suffer for it eventually, especially their children. They went off to war, to fight for the freedom we have given away today.

I don't blame people for their fear, for fear keeps you safe, keeps you from getting hurt or killed. Fear is healthy in small doses. But what about fearing the future or of what the present will produce as a future, that scares me even more.

Please don't take my post as patronizing, as I am only describing my observations since my introduction to this in 2005 when my hubby (then best friend) was arrested. All I can say is that I wish people were different.

wiconsinrsol, You are a very strong person, many of your comments are right, I myself lost my fear, it turned into anger when my children started to suffer for what I had done, my crime as most know was feeling up a 16 year oldF back in the late 90s, it was brought up years later and I took a plea, I did not have a problem with the punishment, but all the added restrictions after the fact finally made me decide to fight.,

Yes I could sit back and enjoy much of my life but I am sick and tired of the damage that is done to countless families who are trying very hard to become normal again.

I do not have a conviction, I have all my rights back, voting, guns etc, but I am still on the registry for life in Texas, I know this is a support group and will always respect what you have done for the cause but with the 1000s that are on this board I think they need more than just support, people need to learn that action is the only true way for change. If we do not get involved then this board will grow into 10s of thousand who need support but little in the way to help them except for words.

Regards
buildingupslow

And IL is a very large and diverse state. How the city of Chicago enforces (they don't as much) vs. downstate (small towns) vs. surburbs are very different.

Tonia is downstate and I'm upstate.

In my suburb and surrounding they are getting those license plate scanners that scan and record whose car is where/when. With this data they can essentially track my movement without a warrant. ( or at least my car movement). They are already scanning parking lots of parks looking for offenders and I'm not willing to risk what info they can / can't see when they scan.

Do they just see my name and they'd have to know I was once registered? Or do they see more?

Anyway- I could be scanned in WI but at least there the laws don't prohibit me from going to parks or schools like IL.

I will have to think on the best way I can help move the changes forward at this point in my life and where my help would be most useful- locally or nationally.

I'd be more than willing to donate if I knew I'd see some action happening. I have made a few donations to groups that I do see working. However, i'm still at loss as to what's going on in PA

faeryedark, do you have specific question on PA? I could maybe get some answers for you, or raise the contact in PA for RSOL for you. I'm assuming you already know who to go to, but I'll provide the info here anyway, For PA it's:

Pennsylvania – PA Justice Reform Coalition

Address: 202 Market Street
Saltsburg, PA 15681
Phone:
Primary Contact: David M. Gailbreath Pajrc.org@gmail.com

Let me know here, or message me if you want.

Also, you go choose for a donation to go anywhere, say, for RSOL, you can choose any state, or RSOL National. You can earmark it for a specific cause, or function. Also, there's W.A.R., oncefallen.com, SOIssues, anywhere would practically help. You could 'spread the love around', hitting different organizations and folks along the way.

Dave in the Philippines