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Creating Grassroots Movements for Change: A Field Manual

Chapter 7: Potential Challenges

Who said making a difference would be easy? As you work to create change, you will face potential challenges that you must address head on. Take them in stride, and don’t lose sight of the big picture—you’re making the world a better place.

Warning: A grassroots movement must always operate strategically and realistically. Carefully examine the situation in your country and identify any tyrannical or violent elements that might do you harm. Remain vigilant and aware of your circumstances to avoid putting yourself or others in danger.

Before you can get started, you will need:

• A computer with internet access
• Appropriate software
• A little technical know-how
• Understanding of local law
• Contingency plans

Take the following steps to overcome potential challenges:

Step 1. Know your legal rights. In most countries, you can develop an online movement free from government harassment. However, some might be uncooperative or—in the case of those that are severely repressive or totalitarian—threaten, imprison, or physically harm you. Know your legal rights, and when possible, work within the laws of the land.

Tip 1: Contact human-rights organizations for pro bono legal advice, which can help you find creative methods of expression that don’t break the law.

Step 2. Find common ground. Find common ground. Government should exist to solve the problems of the people. Unless you’re working within a repressive regime, you should be able to find a common goal. Emphasize that your movement seeks to build, not destroy, and, if possible, pitch your message in a way that makes it attractive to the government.

Tip 2: Consider allying yourself with a popular movement the government already tolerates. It will lend you legitimacy and make you appear less threatening.

Step 3. Gather local support. If you worry your movement might be seen as undermining other, established groups, work locally to gather broad, grassroots support. You never want to be perceived as an outsider parachuting in. With local support, your group will be better protected everywhere it operates. Doing the will of the people can bring security.

Step 4. Circumvent internet censorship. Some governments employ proxy servers to filter web content, permitting access to some sites while blocking others. You must find ways to access sites where you can post information about your group, as well as others you may need to research your cause. There are several ways to get around content filters, such as viewing cached pages, using alternate domain names, employing a web-based circumvention service, visiting mirror sites, and running tunneling or anonymizing software (such as the Tor browser bundle). See the Howcast wiki guide How To Circumvent an Internet Proxy at http://www.howcast.com/guides/2446-How-To-Circumvent-an-Internet-Proxy and the video at http://www.howcast.com/videos/90601-How-To-Circumvent-an-Internet-Proxy

Warning: Accessing restricted content can be a serious violation of the law in certain places. It may also violate workplace policies. Proceed with circumvention practices cautiously.

Step 5. Tell the truth. Your group should always have a reputation for telling the truth—but it is especially important when fighting a government or political body that relies on censorship and the spread of disinformation. Your greatest strength will be your honesty.

Step 6. Protect your group’s identity. If you feel threatened, protect the identities of your group members. Do as much communication as you can anonymously, and maintain rigorous privacy and security standards, both online and off. Keep a particularly close watch on your database of contact information.

Tip 3: If you feel you can’t properly secure your data, do not keep a list of contact information.

Step 7. Look for signs of investigation. Look for signs that your group is being investigated. In a repressive society, assume that someone is always watching. Be aware of visits by government agents or any strangers asking questions of group members, friends, employers, landlords, and family members. Use disposable cell phones and watch for mail tampering. Look for suspicious people at your public events, particularly any non-media members taking lots of photographs. Keep a record of any signs of surveillance, in case you might have legal recourse.

Tip 4: While it is important to be vigilant, do not let paranoia paralyze you or cloud your judgment.

Step 8. Marginalize violent fringe. Your movement may include a particularly vocal subset. Should they advocate violence or become violent in any way, take steps to marginalize them. First, communicate your concerns and encourage them to reject violence. If they refuse, take steps to eject them from the group.

Step 9. Deal with infiltration. If you suspect your group has been infiltrated by an outside negative element, confront the person in a safe place in a small-group setting. Ask them to leave the group. If you suspect someone but have no proof, ask probing questions and try to confirm the details of the answers. If the person has been in any way disruptive, calmly ask them to leave the group. If you remain unsure of their loyalty, limit the person’s access to any important information and keep them under watch. But remember, in general, you want to instill a culture of openness and honesty, not suspicion.

Step 10. Prepare for the worst. Be prepared in the event that, despite your best efforts, you become the victim of harassment, false allegations or charges, intense surveillance, detention, or physical threats. Safely hide any documents important to you and the organization, as well as all documentation of human-rights violations and other abuses, and send copies somewhere inaccessible to those who would do you harm, like to a trusted overseas sympathizer or journalist.

Step 11. Prepare contingency plans. Your efforts, and particularly any offline actions, could put you and your group members at serious risk, especially if you are operating in a region that limits individual freedoms. In the case of detainment in most democratic countries, the first course of action would be to contact a qualified attorney, who could provide counsel before you offered any information to law enforcement officials. Other forms of government, however, may have very different legal systems. It is imperative that you familiarize yourself with local laws and enforcement policies and techniques. If possible, consult regional experts for advice on the best way to respond if detained or threatened by local authorities, and make sure all members of your group are apprised of any response plans should detainment occur.

Did you know: In September 2008, the military government of Burma released over 9,000 prisoners, including the country’s longest-serving political prisoner, Win Tin, who had been in captivity for 19 years.

Case study: CAMBIO, the campaign to bring democracy to Cuba, has organized several rallies and marches, and although the demonstrations have been small due to Cuba's repressive regime, they have not been without consequence. In October 2007, 70 students peacefully marched through Havana wearing CAMBIO materials. The police subsequently detained most of them. In fact, the police routinely detain anyone wearing a white CAMBIO wristband. Members of the movement continue to spread the message—at considerable risk—by distributing CAMBIO materials, organizing meetings, and reaching out to foreign media outlets. Visit CAMBIO at http://www.cubacambio.org/index_english.cfm

“Our movement has been the target of threats and sabotage by supporters of the Venezuelan government. But we know that we are the majority, and they have failed to intimidate us. The key is to have the courage to face aggression and to stay focused on your goal.” Juan David Lacouture, No Más Chávez. Visit No Más Chávez at http://www.libertadydemocracia.com/

To edit this chapter, visit the Howcast wiki guide at http://www.howcast.com/guides/2454-How-To-Create-Grassroots-Movements-For-Change-7-Potential-Challenges

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