So you think you're ready to take direct action, think again!

The year is swiftly approaching its end, and we continue to witness violations of our constitutional rights and attacks on our most fundamental freedoms. We can only sit back and watch this undeniable collapse for so long. As with much of the progress won in this country, Black leadership is needed to get us out of this mess and help build a future rooted in joy, justice, and self-determination. Many of the freedoms we took for granted, from voting rights to labor protections, were born out of direct action. And just like our ancestors and activists who fought and survived before us, we must be smart, safe, and strategic about how we move forward. Collectively, we have the tools, the skills, and the wisdom to win justice and protection for our communities, and we can take lessons from the centuries of organizing and direct action that got us to this point. The following considerations can help guide our steps:

What is the purpose?
At the core of any direct action, know what goals you and your group hope to achieve, and align these goals with your overall purpose and shared values. Keep your goals actionable — specific, measurable steps you can actually take — not vague intentions. Be clear on what your demonstration aims to achieve. For example, No Kings Day was a powerful, unified stance that mobilized communities across the nation and showed our collective resistance to authoritarianism. But what comes after walking and holding signs? Collectively, we must align on what we want in place of a king, and outline the demands and actions needed to work towards that goal. 

Who are the organizers?
It is our relationships that keep our movements moving, and we can only move as fast as the trust we build. When planning or participating in any action, it’s important to know who you are working with, their track record, and where your values align. Ask yourself: Who is responsible for making decisions, and how are those decisions being made? When trust and alignment are secured, we move stronger and more effectively together. 

What are the demands?
Similar to actionable goals, actionable demands are clear, specific, and lay out the exact change that needs to take place for the benefit of communities. They name the target institution, agency, or elected leader who can make that change, and propose a timeline for when it should be done.

How do you contribute to the plan?
Direct action without meaningful engagement of Black communities is a losing proposition. Black organizers and communities have shaped many of the direct action strategies used today, from the rebellions led by millions of enslaved people in Haiti and across the South from the 1600s to the 1800s, to the civil rights era actions of the 1960s that confronted segregation and demanded fairer jobs and freedoms for Black people. Those of us who are most impacted by systemic issues often have the most insight and the clearest vision of the solutions that are needed. If Black voices aren’t meaningfully engaged in direct action, it is easy to unintentionally replicate the very dynamics we want to challenge, exploiting the struggles of Black communities and missing the mark on true progress that meets our collective needs.

What is the risk?
It is also important to seriously consider the risk level of the type of action you are taking. Be realistic about the risks a particular action poses to yourself, your members, and your community, and communicate those risks with your people. Then, create a safety plan that folks can easily turn to if your planned action gets interrupted or turns hostile. Make sure you consider:

• What measures are needed to keep people safe?
• Will you need security?
• How will you protect your members from facial recognition technology?
• Who are the points of contact?
• Are people willing to go to jail, fight, or run if needed?
• If there is a likelihood of arrest, do you have the resources to get people out of jail?

How is success measured? How is the action being evaluated?
It takes time and energy to plan a direct action — don’t let that work be in vain. Know what success looks like to you before you start, and work with your team to define success in a way that reflects your core values and overall vision. Success can include big wins, like changing public opinion or a policy win, as well as smaller milestones, like reaching new audiences or growing your base.

What is the plan for sustained engagement?
The fight for our freedom is never a one-time event. Many fights for our rights were organized over years and even decades of collective organizing, and involved a range of strategies that included marches, boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience.  

Have you checked the facts?
Rumors travel faster than the truth, especially in emotionally charged situations that require a rapid response. With every step of direct action planning, it is critical to fact-check everything before sharing information or making decisions. Be sure to check your source, look for similar reports from multiple credible outlets, and verify that the reports are relevant to your current situation. Ask critical questions to combat any misleading information, and confirm that quotes or statistics weren’t taken out of context. 

Behind every direct action are the people who carry it forward. The relationships we build, and the care and consideration we bring both to our strategies and to each other, can strengthen and sustain our work towards lasting change. By being intentional and respectful about co-creating our organizing efforts, we can build more legitimate movements and shape goals and tactics that more effectively meet everyone’s needs. The generations to come rely on the actions we take today — let’s work to anchor our actions in trust, alignment, and a shared commitment to more liberated futures.