Real change requires more than rallies and marches. Here, we aim to inspire and empower you with knowledge and tools to make Good Trouble in your community.
ACTIVIST TOOLS
Activism means to take direct action to support or oppose a change in the social or political landscape. Any time person or group works to change the cultural, political, economic, environmental status quo, they’re engaging in activism. Activism works, and has brought about landmark change such as the abolishment of slavery, women’s right to vote, marriage equality, and so much more.
We want to empower you to embrace peaceful and effective activism. We want you to understand your rights and how to ensure your safety.
Importantly, activism isn’t just angry opposition to the kind of world you don’t want — it is also loving support of what kind of world you DO want. Please watch the video below, where NAACP President, Dr. Walé Elegbede, shares his personal story of activism and community. He will inspire you to work in community to build a better future. Then check out the links and resources below to start your activist journey.
ACTIVIST RESOURCES (click to expand options)
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Start by learning safe and effective organizing strategies:
Activist Resource Hub | This collection of resources from Free Speech Bill of Rights offers information about safety and security for protesters.
Methods of Nonviolent Protest and Persuasion | Real world examples of each of the 198 methods of resistance classified by Gene Sharp
Includes 1500+ educational resources in a range of formats. Topics include campaign strategy, community organizing, working effectively in groups, justice and diversity, creative activism, and much more.
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Before planning or attending any activist events, it is important that you know your rights, and ways to keep yourself and fellow activists protected.
Protester’s rights| ACLU
Know Your Rights, A Guide for Protesters | National Lawyers Guild
Digital Security Checklist for Activists | Collective resource widely used by activist groups
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Civil disobedience means that you intend to break a law in public in order to challenge its moral legitimacy (e.g. racial segregation) or demonstrate injustice. While they can be highly effective in bringing about change, these actions are not without cost to the participants. As such, they should be carefully researched and planned, and all potential consequences communicated by the organizers to participants. Before organizing or participation in civil disobedience in any form, please take advantage of one or more of the following resources.
The Faithful Fight: Practicing Noncooperation and Civil Disobedience | The Democracy Project
Civil Disobedience Toolkit | Amnesty International
Civil Disobedience Training | Act Up
The Path of Most Resistance: A Step-by-Step Guide to Planning Nonviolent Campaigns | International Center on Nonviolent Conflict
The following groups represent concerned neighbors working together to push back against the harmful actions of the current administration. They need your engagement, and lift up the needs of our community. Find one or more groups that you align with and get involved!
JOIN A LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP
Minnesota 50501 - Rochester is a grassroots movement dedicated to defending democracy, fighting against authoritarianism, and organizing for progressive change. We provide a space for activists to collaborate, share resources, and mobilize for direct action across Minnesota. Whether you’re looking for protest information, community organizing efforts, or ways to get involved, we’re here to connect and empower you. We want to help people learn effective tactics of resistance and get comfortable using them! To learn more about our group and get involved, visit https://mn50501rochester.org
Rochester Branch of the NAACP, is a social justice organization and 501(c)4. We continue to lead in the fight for equity, equality, and justice. We rest on the shoulder of giants, and our work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for Black and all marginalized people in our community. Learn about us and our impact. Join the fight, become a member, and get engaged: https://www.naacprochestermn.org/
INDIVISIBLE 507 - Rochester MN Area is a nonpartisan action-based grassroots movement that empowers our members to unite to support vulnerable and targeted communities, defend human rights, elect progressive leaders, rebuild our democracy, and defeat the Trump agenda.
We fight unjust political policies based on inequality, exclusion, hate, fear, and greed. Join us! https://indivisible507.org
ISAIAH organizes people of shared values to realize a multiracial democracy, caring economy, and just climate future in Minnesota. Through ISAIAH, people in big cities and small towns, churches and mosques, barbershops, childcare centers, manufactured home parks and beyond build power together and make our vision possible in places like city halls, the Capitol, in our economy, in elections, and more. https://www.isaiahmn.org/