# ACTION rebel

##### As an Action Rebel you want to be involved in arrestable or non-arrestable direct action, either through participation or taking on a support role. You could also think of Action Rebels as protestors.
 
> **Principle 4: we openly challenge ourselves and our toxic system.**
We ‘own’ our personal actions and stand up to explain why what we do is necessary.

> **Principle 9: we are a non-violent network.**
We use non-violent methods as the most effective way to bring about change.

#### Join an Action!
Details of XR actions can be found through our [Rebellion Broadcast](https://t.me/rebellionbroadcast) on Telegram or Mattermost and also through our website [events](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/act-now/events/) and [campaigns](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/act-now/campaigns/) pages.

#### Affinity groups (AGs) 
These are civil disobedience support groups - a powerful way of taking action together. They contain a minimum of 4 and ideally between 8 and12 people. AGs can join with an XR mass action or arrange one of their own. They are completely autonomous.
 
#### Guidance and Support 
- [Rebel Agreement](/books/preparing-for-rebellion/page/how-we-rebel) - all rebels are asked to follow this guide to behaviour at Actions. 
- [Informed Dissent](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/informed-dissent-resources) -  activist legal rights website (England & Wales)
- [XR's Legal Strategy](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aGhIpfMJ-TfqkETN1bR0t_1P1icsa8BRdsQ-CkkrUkA/edit) (as it applies to Actions)
  
**Key training:** 
- Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA):
Essential for anyone who wants to take part in direct action, whether or not you are prepared to be arrested. Covers parts of an action, support roles, de-escalation, being arrested.
	- [NVDA](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/act-now/resources/talks-and-trainings/directory/#nonviolent-direct-action-training) (T&T) 
	- [NVDA](https://uk.rebellion.academy/enrol/index.php?id=36) (RA)
- [Know your rights](https://extinctionrebellion.uk/act-now/resources/talks-and-trainings/directory/#know-your-rights-training)  (T&T):
Aims to encourage safe protest. Covers your legal rights, interacting with the police, prejudice in the criminal justice system, how to limit risk to yourselves and others. 

    
**Further training:** 
- [Range of topics](https://uk.rebellion.academy/actioncourses) (RA)  e.g.
	- Action Design; Action Planning _(see also [Guide to Planning Effective NVDA](https://rebeltoolkit.extinctionrebellion.uk/books/upskilling-rebels/page/nvda))_
	- Arrest Support _(see also [Arrestee Support Training Calendar](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bXfp4GEhXJ7C8unSidqx3XSVAX_Xegu2F7c_sHcu_7g/edit#gid=619080332))_
	- Planning for Arrest
    - De-escalation: interacting with the public, how to deal with angry people
- [Embedding Nonviolence](https://www.facebook.com/EmbeddingNonViolence/) (T&T)