How To Resist in 2017: A Digital Toolkit For Analog Activists
There has never been a better time to be civically engaged. Citizen access to information and infrastructure is transforming the practice of democracy. From our social networks to our smartphones, we are more connected, more informed and more empowered than ever before.
But with so many ways to exercise our voice, it can be overwhelming to know where/how to start — especially after an election that left so many of us feeling immobilized.
And while technology has brought scale to organizing, real change still requires that we show up — with our bodies, our voices and our wallets.
So with that, below are a few free digital tools to help guide and amplify your analog activism.
- Countable: Your Government Made Simple
Countable aptly describes itself as your dashboard for democracy. Through it’s mobile app and web platform, it quite literally puts the democratic process in the palm of your hand. Once you’ve completed the sign up process, Countable feeds you daily news and alerts on your legislative representatives and the issues that are important to you.
From there, Countable’s editorial team clearly summarizes the bills that are most likely to reach the floor, details their progress towards a vote and includes all of the sponsoring lawmaker’s contact info.
Users are able to publicly vote and debate both sides and each time a user weighs in on an issue (with a yea or nay), Countable sends this feedback directly to their respective Congressperson with the option to add a message (text or video). The mobile and web integration allows you to seamlessly share content, calls to action or legislative contacts across email, text and social.
Countable is currently in two local districts — San Francisco and NYC, but it appears they plan to roll out in other cities. I’m especially eager to see this feature expand, as I think it could be a real game changer for local democracy.
Follow Countable on Twitter
2. Indivisible: A Practical Guide For Resisting The Trump Agenda
Developed by a volunteer team of former, progressive congressional staffers, this free to download guide offers an insiders view on how Members of Congress think and act, plus tons of practical tips for how to get their attention. Think of it as the Progressive’s official playbook for surviving the Trump administration.
One interesting takeaway: Tweets, FB posts and online form letters, though all well intentioned, don’t rattle the average lawmaker (much to my disappointment).
Indivisible, clearly lays out best practices for how to hold Congress accountable drawing from the success of the Tea Party — a movement that was small in numbers but big in results. In response to the overwhelming popularity of the guide (over half a million downloads since last reported), the Indivisible team has created a public directory of local groups from all over the country who are using the guide as a framework for real action.
Download the Indivisible Guide here.
Join or form a group in your area here.
Follow Indivisible on Twitter
3. 10 Actions / 100 Days (The Women’s March)
The Women’s March made history but now the real work begins. Building off of the incredible momentum of the event, march organizers have launched a new campaign, 10 Actions / 100 Days. Sign up on their website, and every 10 days they will email you an action to take in support of human rights.
The first action has already been deployed: write a postcard to your Senators about what matters most to you. You can even download and print postcards emblazoned with the Women’s March logo, directly from the website.
And stay tuned beyond those 100 days. Something tells me this organization is only getting started.
Follow the Women’s March on Twitter
4. The Amplifier Foundation: An Art Machine For Social Change
Thanks to the Amplifier Foundation, everyday activists can access images from renowned social artists to add visual potency to their rallies and campaigns. Simply go to their website and download free copies of prints depicting a range of important issues including, Feminism and Gender, Mass Incarceration, Indigenous Resistance and Climate and the Environment. And when you donate $100 to the foundation you receive five lithographs featuring the work of artists-in-residents, Shepard Fairy, Ernesto Yerena & Jessica Sabogal.
Follow the Amplifier Foundation on Instagram
5. 5 Calls: Make Your Voice Heard
Calling a lawmaker can be an uncomfortable prospect (for me at least). I’ve never considered myself a “phone” person preferring email and text for as long as they were available.
But 5 Calls is built on the idea that calling is still the most effective way to influence our representatives. Fortunately, for the phone-phobics among us, they make it insanely easy to do just that.
Simply enter your location and this web based platform spits out a list of the most pressing, progressive issues that require your calls. Click on an issue and 5 Calls provides info on the representatives who are most influential on that issue, their contact info and a script to guide your call. Easy peasy, right?
Follow 5 Calls on Twitter
6. Daily Action: Resisting Extremism, One Phone Call At A Time
Founded on a premise similar to 5 Calls, Daily Action maintains that calling our legislators is still the best way to make our voices heard. Through daily alerts sent directly to your mobile phone, Daily Action helps to encourage a habit of activism, with minimal to no logistical barriers.
Sign up by text to receive a call agenda every workday for resisting extremism and defending Progressive American values. You can also make calls without subscribing; just dial 844.241.1141 to be connected.
For more context on the day’s action, visit the Facebook page where organizers and community members share additional information on the issues along with best practices for contacting the offices of our elected officials.
Follow Daily Action on Twitter
Looking to do your part? One way to get involved is to read the Indivisible Guide, which is written by former congressional staffers and is loaded with best practices for making Congress listen. Or follow this publication, connect with us on Twitter, and join us on Facebook.
