Activists soberly observed the day to eliminate racial discrimination yesterday, with protests and events nation-wide. My thoughts are with the family and friends of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old teen who was shot after buying candy by a so-called member of a community watch group, simply because of the colour of his skin. His murder was entirely senseless, preventable and his killer has yet to be brought to justice. When tragedy strikes activists have to strike back: sign the petition to charge Martin’s killer and look to the toolkit this week for fresh tools to take to the streets.
Like what you see? Want to add a tool? The Activist Toolkit is an interactive wiki! Find out how to add tools and edit.
Institutionalized oppression is made up of daily occurrences that are too often ignored or brushed aside. Read up about these microaggressions in this rabblepedia entry.
Microaggressions aren’t the only kind of culturally acceptable violence. Street harassment is still commonplace and fraught with victim-blaming. Take action with the International Week against Street Harassment.
Hollaback! is an organization that fights street-based harassment by sharing experiences. Check out their tool for reporting and tracking violence and acts of solidarity on the street.
Taking back the streets isn’t just about safety: it’s about making communities livable, beautiful and political. Street art is an amazing way to reclaim space. Show your message in your medium with this guide to DIY moss, mud and reverse graffiti.
Spring is now upon us and Occupy activists are taking to the streets. Small towns can get in on the action with this guide to occupying.
Start your occupation off right with a campaign to switch banks. ibanklocally.org is a great tool to help you find local credit unions and banks in your area.
It can be hard for grassroots organizations to keep track of their volunteers, mailing lists and digitize their databases. Organizer’s Database is a free open source tool that allows activists to easily manage all these.
Any time a large group gathers, it’s good to lay the ground rules for safer space. Trans folks are often given the task of educating fellow activists on what it means to be trans and the challenges they face. That’s made easy with this workshop guide.
The fruit tree project targets local fruit trees that are taken for granted, by harvesting fruit that would otherwise fall off the tree and rot in backyards. Find out how to take advantage of local food sources and start your own chapter with this guide.
Sometimes folks just don’t fully understand the importance of local food. Monsanto is an example of a large corporation entering local agriculture and how badly things can turn out. Read more about this corporate giant in this rabblepedia entry.
Events
Vancouver
Seeing the Strings: Teach-in on the Oppressions that sustain Capitalism
Heiltsuk protest against the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline
Toronto
Economic inequality: what do we do?
Ottawa
Aboriginal approaches to mental health (TONIGHT)
What does it mean to occupy occupied lands?
Expose and Oppose Racism March
Montreal
Solidarity across borders: support and legal clinic
Geek out! Presents: Occupy Burritoville, discussing the movement
Add your own suggestions for tools or event listings in the comments below!
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Nick Seebruch, editor
