If there’s one lesson to take from 2020 it’s that solidarity is a powerful force. It was there when the world went into lockdown and instead of retreating into our insular lives, communities rallied together to provide mutual aid. It’s there right now, spreading like wildfire through cities the world over, demanding justice under the banner Black Lives Matter.
Here at Huck, we believe that everyone has the power to create change – after all, we’re all activists now. Whether these are your first protests or you’re a seasoned veteran, it’s never been more important to know your rights and how to make protests as impactful as possible. To help you on your journey, we’ve pulled some resources from our book, Resist! How To Be an Activist in the Age of Defiance. How you choose to use them is entirely up to you. We’re here to back you every step of the way.
Chapter five: Take to the streets
While it’s true that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution to pushing forward with a cause, marches are the lifeblood of activist movements. There’s something empowering – almost magical – about taking to the streets in a democracy and reclaiming the public paths that for so long have been ours to march down.
International movements and NGOs sometimes organise massive marches that you can participate in, but the most powerful and spontaneous in recent history have emerged from grassroots campaigns.
From rallies with a handful of people that end in a parade down a quiet side street to protests that see thousands marching on Westminster, there’s strength to be found in numbers.
Download the full UK chapter here.
Down the full US chapter here.
Chapter six: Know your rights
Organising collectively and taking action as a movement can be a life-changing experience. It will give you a sense of empowerment and hope that enters your bloodstream and will run through your veins for a long time to come. Change, however, isn’t always welcomed by those in charge. If you encounter repression and violence, you won’t just be left with physical scars; make a wrong move and your newfound strength will be ripped from your hands. That’s why it’s crucial to be prepared and know your legal rights.
Download the full UK chapter here.
Download the full US chapter here.
Resist! How To Be an Activist in the Age of Defiance is published by Huck and Laurence King.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck
Bobby Gillespie: “This country is poisoned by class”
Primal Scream’s legendary lead singer writes about the band’s latest album ‘Come Ahead’ and the themes of class, conflict and compassion that run throughout it.
Written by: Bobby Gillespie
Vibrant photos of New York’s Downtown performance scene
‘Balloons and Feathers’ is an eclectic collection of images documenting the scene for over two decades.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Picking through the rubble: Glimpses of hope in the US election results
Clambering through the wreckage of the Harris campaign, delving deeper into the election results and building on the networks that already exist, all hope is not gone writes Ben Smoke.
Written by: Ben Smoke
US Election night 2024 in Texas
Photographer Tom “TBow” Bowden travelled to Republican and Democratic watch parties around Houston, capturing their contrasting energies as results began to flow in.
Written by: Isaac Muk
In photos: “Real life is not black and white” – Polaroid x Magnum Open Call winners
See pictures from the competition organised by two titans of contemporary photography, which called upon artists to reject the digitalisation and over-perfectionism of our modern world, technology and image-making.
Written by: Huck
In photos: Rednecks with Paychecks
‘American Diesel’ is a new photo series that looks at the people, places and culture behind the stereotypes of rural America.
Written by: Ben Smoke