Tips on distributing materials within your community.

Why?

It’s time to bring these messages to the real world. EVERYWHERE.

Movements gain power when they’re visible. You can help make this happen. Be creative and exercise your free speech in your neighborhood with home made flyers, stickers, chalking.

If ever in doubt, look up your local “handbill rules.”

1) Posting Printed Materials

Allowed:

  • Property you own
  • Private businesses if you ask first,
    e.g. bars, coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants
  • Community message boards
    (community center, supermarkets, laundromats, libraries)

Generally ok:

  • Sidewalks! Tape stuff to the ground!
  • Car windshields
  • Hand them out in public spaces

Use Good Judgment:

  • Telephone poles, street lights, lampposts
  • The back of street signs

Not OK:

  • Don't ever touch mailboxes
    (this is a federal crime)
  • Private property you don't own
  • Schools, unless you go there

Stickers

All above still applies. Not okay to stick to cars that aren't yours.

General Advice

  • appear friendly and non-threatening
  • comply with requests from business owners or police to take them down
  • post next to other flyers / stickers!
  • no damage – use tape, not staples!
  • watch out for cameras & police
  • walk or bike, or park a few streets away
  • if advertising an event on a specific day, take them down afterwards

If in doubt, look up your local laws. In some areas, putting flyers on telephone poles or car windshields is technically not allowed, but many people do it anyway for lost pets, yard sales, etc.

Use your best judgment. This is a time to be brave and smart.

2) Passing Out Printed Materials

Allowed:

  • Public space owned by the government
    • In front of libraries, in parks & on sidewalks
  • Shopping centers, private spaces open to public
  • Parking lots
  • Private property with the owner’s consent

Use Good Judgment:

  • Stay 10 feet from building entrances
  • Do not block or harass passersby
  • Flyers must not turn into public trash
    • Be sure people have somewhere to dispose of flyers
  • Do not leave flyers under car windshields
    (this is often against the law!)

Not OK:

  • Don’t ever touch mailboxes
    (this is a federal crime)
  • Flyers inside businesses without permission

General Advice:

  • Appear friendly and non-threatening
  • Comply with requests from business owners or security personnel
  • Have a short explanation ready for why you are handing out flyers
  • Walk or bike, or park a few streets away
  • Clean up litter afterward

Inspiration: Past 50501 Orange County Flyers & Graphics