I've
been an activist for some years now, in fact, I first went to
Parliament age 14 years old, and I can tell you, something has
changed recently. A lot of protests are getting lower and lower
turnouts. Personal struggles and finances are playing a big part, its
very costly to be mobile when money is tight. Then there's personal
strength, when you’re having to fight just to survive each day, to
keep your home, your family together, the need to fight back maybe be
greater then ever but it has been made increasingly difficult by
government policies.
My
plan is to stop fighting nationally, mainly, and get local instead.
Start accepting that change will come from the people not
governments. So here are ten steps to making changes locally, in the
hope that many others are doing the same all over the country, and
the world.
1.
The
UK is made up of counties, so we need a #WaveOfAction in every
county. Go on Facebook, Twitter, www.waveofaction.org
and
set up pages/profiles for your county. You can call it whatever you
like. It doesn’t have to be, say WaveOfActionWarks, but using the
hashtag #WaveOfAction will help promote it.
2.
Go
on local Facebook pages, such as items for sale, local
newspapers/radio stations, local groups, to promote your Wave of
Action group. When you have a small group, discuss local issues and
projects you'd like to work on. When you have decided on your first
goal, for example, creating a community farm, find a cheap
venue/community hall to hold a public meeting about it, for anyone
interested in finding out more. Contact local and internet press to
tell them about your new action group and what you need from the
local area, eg landowners to donate land for the farm. Local media is
much more forthcoming than national media is, invite them all along.
Promote meeting online, in shop windows, hand out leaflets at
schools, outside job centres, Citizen Advise Centres, foodbanks, to
neighbours. Contact local green parties, they may support you.
3.
Research
online to find experts who can speak on your issue, such as people
already campaigning the same things, and invite them to the meeting.
Engage with people and make sure you give them information on your
aims and how they can get involved.
This
should get you enough interest to begin a local campaign. This is
adaptable to anything, such as anti- corruption, anti-fracking,
saving hospitals, and so on. I like to think of this as planting the
seed for local change, now you just need to help it grow.
When
you have a good local group going you will reach out to other members
of your community and we can become a recognised force for change.
Boycott companies as a group and encourage using local businesses,
helping boost local families and local economy.
You'll
find more info here on tactics:
http://waveofactionuk.blogspot.co.uk/p/what-is-wave-of-action.html.
Search
online for activist training, in your area, that suits your needs
area. Many are free and will help with travel.
4.
Networking,
make sure you update online regularly, interact with members, and
post your events on www.waveofaction.org.
Designate members in your group to collate information with the
national group, which will help you spread your news. Host national
talks inviting the other counties and create national events together
or invite them to support yours. Support as many as other counties’
events, as you can, both in person and online.
5.
Remember
to work on your own spiritual development and wellbeing – at all
times. Contact your local Spiritualist/New Age/Buddhist community and
see if you can find members will to help with group meditations and
guidance for those who want it.
6.
Encourage
members to volunteer in your area, to reach out and speak to people.
The more people we talk to, the more likely change is to come. If we
cant beat them marching the streets, let us beat them by undoing the
brainwashing and giving people the information to want change
themselves. Be kind, collect donations for foodbanks, homeless, the
needy. One thing that has struck me personally is if a mother can’t
afford food for her kids, I’m damn sure she can’t afford
toiletries. The foodbanks can’t put this stuff in bags but if
donated they can put them on table for people to take (it’s the
same with pet food and fresh fruit and veg). We should be encouraging
donations of such items.
7.
Attend
local and national marches together as your group – share lifts,
research carpooling website, or, if there are enough people
attending, all chip in for coaches to make travelling cheaper. The
Megabus is also very cheap if booked over two weeks in advance. When
there, take lots of photos and videos to make sure anyone in your
area who feels there is something wrong in world knows they are not
alone as there are others who have been to protests that they too can
join with.
8.
Get
political! Do any members fancy standing for Councillor/MP as
independents? Look into the requirements, what does it entail? Do you
have the numbers to support applications, or the funds for fees? If
this is the path you wish to take to make change, go for it! However,
if you’re against the current political system entirely, no
problem, get together and protest outside town halls/council
offices/polling stations and voice your discontent.
9.
Understand
there will be conflict sometimes. As above, two groups may be
fighting opposites sides; some willing to vote, others against it –
that’s democracy, my friend, and #WaveOfAction is about as
democratic as you can get. You put ideas out there. People who like
them pick them up and run with them, people who don’t, won’t. The
more people who agree with you, the more successful your campaigning
will be. Simple.
Just
to be clear: no hate-based campaign will ever be supported by
WaveOfActionUK.
10.
Make
it fun. Everyone loves to laugh. So think of funny, creative ideas to
get your ideas across and build support. You will attract more
members and engagement with everyday people if you remain
light-hearted and don’t take yourself too seriously. Yes, there
will be times when humour will not be appropriate, but when reaching
out to those who are not as aware as you, a little humour goes a long
way.
So,
that’s ten ideas for Step One – Creating a Network to Make Real
Change.
As
for Step 2 well, that’s over to the collective and where we all
want to go next
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