Building Power from the Ground Up

We've explored strategies for engaging with individuals who hold extremist beliefs. Now, we turn our attention to a broader, more collective approach: building power within our communities. This module focuses on two interconnected strategies: community defense and mutual aid. These are essential tools for resisting fascism, protecting vulnerable populations, and creating the foundations of a more just and equitable world. They offer options to step away from oppressive systems.

Fascism thrives on division, fear, and the atomization of individuals. It seeks to isolate people and make them feel powerless. Community defense and mutual aid, on the other hand, are about building solidarity, cooperation, and self-determination. They are about recognizing our interconnectedness and working together to meet our needs and protect our communities.

• Community defense is about protecting ourselves and each other from harm – from hate crimes, harassment, intimidation, and state violence. It's about creating networks of support and developing strategies for collective safety.

• Mutual aid is about sharing resources and skills within a community, based on the principle that we all have something to offer and that we all need support at different times. It's about building systems of care and cooperation that operate outside of traditional, top-down structures.

These two strategies are not separate; they are often intertwined. Strong communities built on mutual aid are more resilient and better able to defend themselves against threats. And, a strong sense of community safety allows mutual aid networks to flourish. They are about reclaiming power, building alternatives, and creating a world where everyone can thrive.

Community Defense: Fascism and other forms of extremism often target vulnerable communities with violence, harassment, and intimidation. Community defense is about the collective effort to protect ourselves, and each other, from these threats. It's about building resilient communities that can resist hate and create safe spaces for everyone.

Definition: Community defense is the proactive and organized effort by community members to protect themselves and each other from harm. This harm can take many forms, including:

• Hate crimes and violence.

• Harassment and intimidation.

• State violence (e.g., police brutality, ICE raids).

• Threats from extremist groups.

It's important to emphasize that community defense is not about vigilantism or taking the law into your own hands. It's about building collective power, fostering mutual support, and creating community-based solutions to safety concerns.

Key Principles:

• Solidarity and Mutual Support: The foundation of community defense is solidarity – standing together and supporting each other. It's about recognizing that we are stronger together and that an attack on one is an attack on all.

• De-escalation and Non-Violence (When Possible): While self-defense may sometimes be necessary, the primary goal of community defense is to de-escalate tense situations and prevent violence whenever possible. This involves using non-violent communication techniques, de-escalation strategies, and prioritizing the safety of everyone involved. However, self-defense is a human right.

• Knowing Your Rights: As discussed in Module 1, it's crucial to know your rights when interacting with law enforcement or engaging in protests.

• Building Relationships: Community defense is most effective when it's rooted in strong relationships between neighbors and community members. This involves getting to know each other, building trust, and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.

• Planning and Preparedness:

Here are some examples of community defense initiatives:

• Copwatch Initiatives: Trained volunteers monitoring police activity to deter misconduct and document abuses. This can involve filming police interactions, providing legal support to those arrested, and advocating for police accountability.

• Anti-Fascist Coalitions: Groups that organize counter-protests to fascist rallies and demonstrations, working to prevent fascists from spreading their message of hate and intimidating communities.

• Networks that Provide Support to Victims of Hate Crimes: Providing emotional support, practical assistance, and legal resources to those who have been targeted by hate crimes.

• Community Emergency Response Teams:

• Self Defense Training:

Safety Considerations:

Engaging in community defense activities can involve risks. It's essential to prioritize safety and planning:

• Training: Seek out training in de-escalation, self-defense, first aid, and legal rights.

• Risk Assessment: Before engaging in any activity, assess the potential risks and develop a plan to mitigate them.

• Communication: Establish clear communication protocols within your group.

• Buddy System: Always work with others; never engage in potentially dangerous activities alone.

• Know When to Disengage: If a situation becomes too dangerous, disengage. Your safety is the priority.

• Legal Support: Have access to legal support in case of arrest or other legal issues.

Community defense is about building power from the ground up, creating communities that are resilient, supportive, and able to protect themselves from harm. It's about recognizing that our safety is interconnected and that we are stronger when we stand together.

Mutual Aid: We've talked about community defense – protecting ourselves from harm. Now, let's talk about building something positive: mutual aid. Mutual aid is a powerful way to create networks of support, share resources, and build community resilience. It's a practice that has been used by marginalized communities for centuries, and it's more relevant now than ever.

Definition: Mutual aid is a voluntary reciprocal exchange of resources and services for mutual benefit. It's about people working together to meet each other's needs, based on the principle that we all have something to offer and that we all need support at different times. It's not about charity, which often involves a power imbalance between giver and receiver; it's about solidarity – recognizing our interconnectedness and working together for the common good.

Key Principles:

• Solidarity, Not Charity: This is the most important principle. Mutual aid is not about "helping" those who are less fortunate; it's about building relationships of mutual support and recognizing that everyone has something to contribute.

• Reciprocity: Mutual aid is based on the idea of reciprocal exchange. You give what you can, and you receive what you need. It's not a one-way transaction.

• Autonomy and Self-Determination: Mutual aid networks are typically self-organized and controlled by the participants themselves. They are not top-down initiatives imposed from outside.

• Horizontal Organization (No Hierarchy): Mutual aid emphasizes horizontal relationships, rather than hierarchical structures. There are no "leaders" or "followers"; everyone participates equally.

• Direct Action:

Examples:

Mutual aid can take many different forms, depending on the needs and resources of the community. Here are a few examples:

• Community Food Banks and Gardens: Sharing food with those in need, growing food collectively, and teaching people how to grow their own food.

• Skill-Sharing Networks: People teaching each other skills (e.g., cooking, sewing, home repairs, computer skills, language lessons).

• Disaster Relief Efforts: Communities coming together to support each other after natural disasters, providing food, shelter, medical care, and other essential resources.

• Free Stores: Spaces where people can donate and take items for free, without any money changing hands.

• Childcare Collectives: Parents sharing childcare responsibilities, creating a cooperative system of support.

• Housing Cooperatives: (As discussed previously) Residents collectively owning and managing their housing.

• Tool Libraries:

• Time Banks: (As discussed previously)

How to Get Involved:

• Find an Existing Network: Search online for mutual aid networks in your area. You can use search terms like "mutual aid [your city/town]" or "solidarity network [your city/town]." Social media platforms can also be a good way to find local groups.

• Start Your Own Network: If you can't find an existing network, consider starting your own! This could be as simple as starting a group chat with your neighbors or organizing a skill-sharing event in your community.

• Identify Needs and Resources: Talk to people in your community to identify their needs and the resources that are available.

• Start Small: You don't have to create a huge, complex network overnight. Start with a small project and build from there.

• Be Patient and Persistent: Building a strong mutual aid network takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if things don't happen overnight.

Mutual aid is a powerful way to build community, meet needs, and create a more just and equitable world. It's about recognizing that we are all interconnected and that we have the power to create the systems we need to thrive. It is a way to resist, and exist.

Building Resilient Communities

Community defense and mutual aid are not just about responding to crises; they're about building resilient communities that can withstand challenges and thrive in the long term. And at the heart of any resilient community are strong relationships.

The Importance of Relationships:

Strong relationships between neighbors and community members are the foundation for both effective community defense and thriving mutual aid networks. When people know and trust each other, they are more likely to:

• Look out for each other's safety.

• Share resources and support each other in times of need.

• Work together to address common challenges.

• Resist attempts to divide and conquer them.

• Feel a sense of belonging and collective responsibility.

In short, strong relationships are the glue that holds a community together and enables it to act collectively.

Conflict Resolution: Conflict is normal. How a community handles conflict is a very important.

Practical Steps for Building Resilient Communities:

Building strong community relationships takes time and effort, but it's an investment that pays off in countless ways. Here are some practical steps you can take:

• Get to Know Your Neighbors: This might seem obvious, but in our increasingly isolated world, it's easy to live in a community for years without really knowing the people who live around you. Make an effort to introduce yourself, say hello, and have conversations with your neighbors.

• Simple Actions:

• Smile and greet people you see on the street.

• Offer to help a neighbor with a task (e.g., carrying groceries, shoveling snow).

• Attend neighborhood gatherings or events.

• Start a conversation with someone at the local park or coffee shop.

• Organize Community Events: Bringing people together for social events, celebrations, or shared projects is a great way to build relationships and foster a sense of community.

• Examples:

• Block parties

• Potlucks

• Community cleanups

• Gardening projects

• Movie nights in the park

• Book clubs

• Skill-sharing workshops

• Support Local Businesses and Organizations: Supporting local businesses and organizations helps build a stronger local economy and creates opportunities for connection.

• Shop at locally owned stores.

• Eat at locally owned restaurants.

• Volunteer at local non-profits.

• Attend community meetings and events.

• Create Spaces for Dialogue and Connection: Creating opportunities for people to come together to talk, share their experiences, and build understanding is crucial for fostering a sense of community.

• Examples:

• Community forums

• Book clubs

• Discussion groups

• Potlucks

• Neighborhood potlucks

• Informal gatherings

Building resilient communities is not just about preparing for emergencies; it's about creating a more connected, supportive, and vibrant place to live, every day. It's about reclaiming our power as citizens and building a world where everyone belongs and can thrive. It's about moving from "me" to "we".