Toolbox:

An interconnected web of the key strategies and tactics that have inspired people-powered victories & upended the status quo. Start anywhere and explore…

Story

Harry Potter Alliance

Harry Potter Alliance

An innovative cultural campaign that mobilized the huge Harry Potter fan-base to fight for justice, human rights, and democracy in our world, just like Harry did in his world.

Methodology

Action star

Action star

A checklist of 8 key factors for planning & evaluating actions.

Tactic

Nonviolent search and seizure

Nonviolent search and seizure

A direct action tactic that involves showing up with a “citizens’ search warrant” and attempting, nonviolently, to liberate important documents that are being kept from the public.

Story

Bidder 70 (Tim DeChristopher)

Bidder 70 (Tim DeChristopher)

In December 2008, Tim DeChristopher disrupted an auction of Utah oil and gas drilling leases by bidding, and winning, many parcels. He then used his arrest and trial to make the case for bolder climate action.

Story

Trail of Dreams

Trail of Dreams

In 2010, four US immigrant youth leaders walked 1,500 miles to Washington, D.C. to put a human face on the immigration debate and pressure politicians to fix the broken and unjust US immigration system.

Theory

Dunbar’s number

Dunbar’s number

We can only maintain 150 I-care-you-care relationships. These strong, primary relationships foster empowerment and social cohesion, while more rule-based relationships favor management. This impacts organizing.

Story

Round Dance Revolution

Round Dance Revolution

In 2012, a movement combining flash mob tactics and traditional Indigenous round dances rose up to defeat a bill that would have eroded Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protections across Canada.

Principle

Make your group comfortable and your target uncomfortable

Make your group comfortable and your target uncomfortable

Master community organizer Saul Alinsky counsels activists to "Never go outside the expertise of your people" and "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy."

Story

Citizens’ Posse

Citizens’ Posse

In the final days of a stalled push to reform healthcare in the US, a “citizens’ posse” gathered to arrest those responsible for the gridlock.