What to do right now
1. Schedule a planningPlanning meeting.Meeting
Build on the momentum of The Big One. The first ‘Local Big One’ on September 30th can be a key date to mobilise people for. What issues or targets do you share with other local organising groups? PlanSupport actions of allies, where there is agreement on purpose while also planning a local action.action - XR led, or co-created.
3. Plan your communityCommunity engagement.Engagement
Map grassroots community and faith groups, and connect with local chapters of national organisations in your area. Discover what the diverse communities in your area care about and connect with.with by asking questions about their values and aims; build bridges.
The Big One taught us that it can be hard for supportive groups to cocreate the first actionaction, so keep making space for collaboration at the end of every month. Regularity creates familiarity and smoother planning. Be flexible. Hold open meetings and decide details together. Identify where communities are already in resistance and invite them to unite, once a month.
Unite to survive.survive! This is theour final countdown.
4. Reach outOut for support.Support
You are not alone. If you or your local group feels daunted, think of twinning with nearby groups or working as a region or nation. There are plans to map what issues local groups are active on, so that rebels can collaborate across geographical boundaries. (Watch this space!)
5. Ask for a Regional Open Call.Call
These are a great way for local groups to meet, discuss regional issues, plan and collaborate on actions where local capacity is low. If your region has open calls, you'll always be glad you attended. We are all learning together as we go.
6. Paint the Streets.Streets
Use posters, flyers and flags and targeted nonviolent direct actions to increase visibility or to draw attention to your first community day of action (possibly September 30th and the last Saturday of every month after that).
7. Think about supportingSupporting communityCommunity spaces.Spaces
Remember, art is powerful! Putting on films like 'The Oil Machine' and food attracts your allies and allows time for spending time together. Why not check out potential topics with people who turn up what subjects interest them most, then plan a Community Assembly.
WHAT TO DO AT YOUR COMMUNITY DAY OF ACTION.
1. Focus on your community.
Find out what communities want and their key dates. Collaborate, adapt, don’t compete.
2. Think about food and make every element accessible.
Creating access to free food under capitalism is a revolutionary act that is easy for people to engage with.
3. Have a plan and a programme.
Give a platform to local voices and artists. Get artists involved early to help with planning and to involve their communities. Programming support coming.
4. Build lasting local alliances.
5. Run a community assembly.
Plan the next community action together.
6. Make change amd demand change.
Take action that highlights the need for change.
7. Invite your local media contacts to attend and use social media.
The new UK Media & Messaging team is also shifting focus to offer support to local groups, amplifying amazing actions and activities across the country. UK media campaigns designed to resonate locally and globally and help mobilise.
8. Think about fundraising to cover next month’s costs and to become more resilient.
There will be specific local fundraising support coming soon but signups to the XRUK Action Network via the XRUK website are vital to keep the movement moving.
9. Sign people up.
Keep inviting new people in with ways to be involved that suit someone willing to give days each week as well as a mother who can only spare minutes. There is no movement without admin and the people behind the scenes.
10. Stay connected and encourage self-organising.
Follow up with the communities and groups you have collaborated with. Tell everyone about the end of the next month and that their ideas to transform their communities are needed and supported. Make a friend. Have an idea. Design a thing. Do it.
Go back to XRUK Actions Strategy 2023/24 Phase 1 main menu