Resources - The Commons Social Change Library

Behind the scenes of Sunrise’s volunteer-led phone bank program

Want to know how to run a large scale volunteer led phonebank? Learn from the Sunrise Movement and how they managed their teams.

the covers of 2 publications - on left is Glossary of civil resistance with images of people protesting holding rainbow flag. On right is Sharp's dictionary of Power and Struggle with an illustration of a hand punching the air

What does that mean? Dictionaries and terminology for civil resistance

Are you looking for a dictionary, glossary and terminology related to civil resistance, activism and organising? Here is a list of resources.

Civil Resistance Tactics in the 21st Century

These new resources (publication and webinar) from the International Center of Nonviolent Conflict ICNC adds new methods of nonviolent action to the list of 198 methods categorized by Gene Sharp in 1973 in his book, The Methods of Nonviolent Action. It inspires, analyzes, and summarises Dr. Sharp’s tactics and updates his work by documenting additional methods of nonviolent action and scholarship.

Whistleblowing: A Practical Guide

Whistleblowing: A Practical Guide tells how to assess your options, prepare for action, use low-profile operations, negotiate official channels, leak, build support and survive the experience.

A woman looking seriously at the camera while a rainbow pride flag drapes on the wall next to her. Credit: Disabled and Here

Community-led design wiki

A wiki of insights and resources around community-led or community-driven design featuring movements, tools, writing, audio and video.

The front page of a pdf publication called Guide to Organizing your first Protest with a photo of Greta Thunberg sitting on street with a sign next to her that says 'Skolstrejk for Klimatet'

Organising Your First Protest

Learn how to organize your first protest – Resources from the Article 20 Network including a recorded discussion with experience organizers.

A History of LGBTIQ+ Victoria in 100 Places and Objects

A report about the rich, diverse and unique history of queer communities in Victoria reflected in places, objects and landscapes.

A group of police officers stand side by side, surrounded by seated activists with arms interlinked.

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA): Start Here

Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Nonviolent Direct Action topic area, including NVDA theory, practical guides and case studies.

Picture of a women's face yelling and the word 'ENOUGH!' in red on a black background. Below the image text reads 'Did You March 4 Justice? Ideas for Your Next Steps from the Commons Library.

Did You March 4 Justice? Ideas for Your Next Steps

Ideas for next steps after the Women’s March 4 Justice – including action, skills development, videos, books and podcasts.

All About Movements: Why Building Movements Creates Deeper Change

Why do movements matter? Why do we march on the streets or come together online? Great resource on movements and movement building.

pink publication cover 'All About Powe: Understanding social power and power structures' , by Srilatha Batliwala.

All About Power: Understanding Social Power and Power Structures

An essential primer for activists to understand and explore how power impacts their work in order to design strategies from a more comprehensive, shared definition and analysis of power as it operates in society.

Photo of a woman at a rally taken from behind. She is wearing a grey hoodie sweatshirt and holding a sign that reads 'Girls just want to have FUNdamental rights'

Tips for Campaigning Women

Tips for setting up strong groups and effective campaigns, provided by Holly Hammond to the WELA program.

Female protestor speaking into a megaphone

Resisting repression: Resources for defending Australian freedoms

Resources about resisting repression, defending civil liberties, promoting alternatives to repression and fostering nonviolent methods of social defence and social change.

policeman in riot gear grabbing the neck of an older man

Backfire Manual: Tactics Against Injustice

A practical handbook and model for activists to be more effective when facing injustice and powerful, dangerous opponents.

Protesters against the Dakota Access Pipeline and Keystone XL Pipeline hold a sit-in in the street next to the San Francisco Federal Building. The sign at the front says 'People over pipelines'.

How defeating Keystone XL built a bolder, savvier climate movement

From frontline battles to large national mobilizations, tar sands resistance developed new tactics and organizing strategies for the larger climate struggles ahead. This article was originally published on Waging Nonviolence. Keystone XL pipeline permit rescinded When President Biden rescinded a crucial permit for the Keystone XL pipeline last week (20 January 2021), it marked the culmination […]