holly hammond, Author at The Commons

Love, community and campaigning in the time of Covid-19

UK activist trainer Natasha Adams looks at the opportunities for system change during the Coronavirus pandemic, the centrality of care and collectivity, and the implications for campaigners.

Front cover of the Press Officer Handbook (no images).

The NEON guide to progressive media work

NEON’s Press Officer Handbook, a comprehensive guide to effective media work in social movements. Includes writing press releases, using the phone, preparing spokespeople for broadcast and much more.

A woman sits at a laptop, wearing headphones. She sits in front of a window showing a city skyline.

4 tips for digital organizing when our communities are physically isolating

How to organize online to keep your movement and momentum going during the Covid-19 pandemic, including mass calls, digital strikes, livestreams, virtual town hall meetings, one-click emailing and more.

illustrated dog walking with transistor radio listening to music

Social Change Radio Directory

Community broadcasters are an important part of social movements. The Commons Social Change Radio Directory includes details of almost 100 radio shows from 5 Australian states.

low-angle photography of metal structure

Civil Resistance 2.0: 198 Nonviolent Methods Upgraded

A crowdsourced spreadsheet listing a number of digital variations of Gene Sharp’s classic 198 Methods of Nonviolent Action. Valuable inspiration for campaigns seeking new tactics!

Photo of a person sitting on a couch holding a laptop.

Staying Together While Keeping Apart

Holly Hammond’s speech to the Green Institute’s webinar. Includes suggested resources in relation to staying connected to ourselves, each other, reality and our values.

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.

an outdoor post plastered with stickers with the writing organize and money is nothing art is real

Organising: Start Here

Organising builds people power for change. Here is a list of resources to get you started including introductions, different approaches, manuals, tactics, videos and more.

Creative Activism: Start Here

Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Arts & Creativity topic area – to help you bring more art and heart to your social change activities.

Photograph of a hand holding a wooden picture frame, with a cliff, beach and sea showing in the backgroun. 'COVID-19' is written inside the frame.

Progressive Framing of the Coronavirus Pandemic

A collection of resources which include suggested progressive framing and messaging of the Coronavirus/Covid-19 global pandemic and its various impacts.

Photo of the front cover of the Beautiful Trouble book.

Beautiful Trouble’s Guide to Activism During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Beautiful Trouble principles and creative tactics for activism while the world goes through the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes tactics for building a sense of community and continuing to pressure people in power.

Photo of a mural which shows a person's face obscured by a protective mask with the writing 'I am not a virus'

Coronavirus is a historic trigger event and it needs a movement to respond

Paul Engler makes the case for a mass movement in response to the coronavirus pandemic, demonstrated what people power has achieved in the past to make significant shifts.

Resources to Cope With Climate Anxiety and Grief

In the face of the climate crisis it’s a natural response to experience anxiety, grief and many other feelings. This collection of resources focuses on the emotional and psychological impact of climate change and coping strategies.

Handbook of Climate Psychology

A comprehensive guide from the Climate Psychology Alliance (UK). Includes sections on grief, loss, coping strategies and radical hope.

A young man with red hair and wearing glasses points to a blackboard sign titled 'Melbourne Fringe'. His finger points to the 'Sold Out' sticker next to 'Sustainable Standup'.

The Case for Laughter in Social Movements

Comedian and community organiser Maxwell J Smith writes about how our movements and campaigns need art, creativity and laughter.

A group of people stand at the front of a forum. A speaker stands at a podium holding a microphone and wearing traditional Native American clothes. The podium has a brightly coloured fabric laid on top.

Supporting Indigenous Leadership in the Climate Movement

This article looks at connections between Indigenous rights and climate change and the legacies of genocide and oppression. It is directed at non-Indigenous people to encourage better allyship.

A group of young people sit in a group, talking and listening. Includes people of colour and young women wearing hijab.

Supporting Young People’s Activism in the Climate Emergency

Young people are powerful agents of social change! This article includes tips for communicating with young people about the climate crisis and ways to support youth leadership including interrupting age-related oppression.

Three women stand at the front of a group with microphones: a young woman of colour, an older white woman, and a woman photographed from behind.

Healing Our Climate Grief

This article shares perspectives on healing climate grief, including the importance of feeling and releasing feelings and accessing peer support.

Four people stand outside the Melbourne Magistrates Court. They are smiling and holding photos of forests.

Your Activist Speech in Court

A guide to insisting on a lower sentence from an experienced nonviolent activist. Includes tips about the different aspects to cover in court speeches.

school students striking on Melbourne street in 2019

Mass Organising Calls and Webinars

Need to make the most of a hot campaign moment, mobilise people and create local actions? Tips and advice from 3 experts on how to organise mass calls and webinars.

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