On November 18th, 2004, activists worldwide will unite to confront our worst oil addict, Ford Motor Company.

Despite what happened on November 2, our mandate remains clear. Now more than ever, we cannot rely on politicians in Washington to pass rational laws to break our dependence on oil. Change will have to come from us, and with grassroots pressure we can get the Detroit automakers to take immediate action to break our oil addiction.

The election results make our upcoming day of intervention more important than ever. If our lawmakers won't step in to end the oil addiction, we must. The automakers need help. They need our assistance to do the right thing and dramatically increase fuel efficiency. We must make it clear to Ford Motor Co. that as the worst gas-guzzler in the industry, its addiction to oil threatens the environment, our national security, and public health.

With only 5% of the world's population, the US consumes a quarter of the world's oil, more than any other country. Most of America's oil is used for transportation. And for five years, the automaker with the most inefficient cars and trucks has been Ford Motor Company. Ford's gas guzzling vehicles are driving America's oil addiction and destroying the world's climate.

To break our oil addiction, Global Exchange and the Rainforest Action Network are asking communities to target Ford Motor Company to demand that the corporation increase the fuel efficiency of its vehicles to 50 miles per gallon by 2010 and to completely eliminate tailpipe emissions by 2020.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Organize a demonstration at a Ford dealership on November 18. Ask Ford Dealers to Stop Pushing Oil-Addicted Gas Guzzlers! Here are just a few ideas of what you can do!

1) Use banners and picket signs to let the Ford customers know that Ford is dealing in Oil Addiction

2) Organize a press conference at the Ford dealership

3) Deliver petitions to Declare Independence from Oil or bring Ford's oil addict postcards. For these materials, contact sarah@ran.org

4) Meet with a Ford dealer and ask to test drive a Zero Emission Vehicle

5) And when the dealer directs you to a hybrid Escape SUV instead, give them a letter explaining that Ford can't Escape it's last place fuel efficiency!

Contact Jason at 800-497-1994 x 230 for more ideas! To find the Ford dealership nearest you, visit http://www.fordvehicles.com/dealerships/

The first 25 people who commit to organizing a dealership intervention will receive a pre-stenciled banner reading, "Ford: America's Worst Gas Guzzler." All you have to do is paint it in.

To connect with other activists in your area, get a Day of Intervention support packet, or request assistance in organizing a rally, contact sarah@ran.org.

For more materials and background information, visit http://www.jumpstartford.com.

Endorsed by: Bluewater Network, Energy Action, Free the Planet!, Global Exchange, Rainforest Action Network, Sierra Club, Sierra Student Coalition,Student Environmental Action Coalition, US Public Interest Research Group.