Protests_Rallies Archives

From Little Things Big Things Grow, Events That Changed Australia: June

A list of some of the small actions and major events from social movement history during the month of June.

From Little Things Big Things Grow Events That Changed Australia: May

A list of some of the small actions and major events from social movement history during the month of May.

big protest signs on a parade of cars heading down a city street

Tactics in a time of physical distancing: Examples from Australia’s progressive past

In response to the Coronavirus pandemic the Commons is sharing protests, campaigns and events from the past which highlight ways we can undertake action whilst maintaining safe health practices and physical distance.

Change Makers (Text on orange background)

ChangeMaker chat with Antony Dapiran

Antony Dapiran is the author of City of Protest – A Recent History of Dissent in Hong Kong. He is a long-time Hong Kong resident, lawyer, and commentator on Chinese business and legal matters.

woman dressed as an angel holding up sign that says Keep oil and gas in the ground with a row of policeman standing behind her

Crowdfunding for civil disobedience

Crowdfunding to cover the cost of fines for civil disobedience shares the cost among many supporters and reduces financial pressure on organisations or small grassroots groups. Here’s some tips from CounterAct on effective fundraising in this context.

black and white image of Aboriginal activists with a sign saying Always as Always will be our land

The battle for Aboriginal heritage on Perth’s foreshore 30 years on

Thirty years ago from January 2019 Noongar activists set up a protest camp at Gooninup, the site of the derelict Old Swan Brewery on Perth’s foreshore. This marked the beginning of a four-year long struggle to secure recognition of an Aboriginal sacred site.

Why campaigns, not protests, get the goods

George Lakey says it’s time to retire one-off protests in favour of direct action campaigns to maximize the chance of winning victories.

A group of friends stand with arms around each other looking out across a valley.

Check list for affinity groups

Checklist for affinity groups – looking out for each other and yourself when participating in a blockade or protest.

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

What is this thing called Activist Legal Support?

Planning good activist legal support builds movement resilience and should be part of campaign planning. A good legal support structure for groups engaging in protests that could be arrestable includes having legal support team, legal info, arrest & court support.

police and protestors in stand off at the S11 protests at crown casino in melbourne in 2000

Globalisation unplugged: S11 World Economic Forum Protests

Listen to Globalisation Unplugged, 3CR’s coverage of massive public opposition to the World Economic Forum & globalisation in Melbourne in 2000.

Cyclists at a critical mass event hold their bicycles above their heads.

Pranks, performances and protestivals: Public Events

Creative tactics for social change: A number of examples of fun, empowering and engaging actions incorporating a creative approach.

The Art(s) of Non-violent Activism

Marty Branagan discusses the role of the arts (music, visual art, street theatre) as an effective method of protest and social change in Australia.

An image of Jesus Christ with 'Refugee' text across the image.

Items of Mass Instruction Posters, Stickers, Memes and More

Creative tactics for social change: Different ways of spreading messages and information in a creative way… memes, posters, postcards, stencils, etc.

screenshot of website of The law handbook

Community Activism in Victoria: The right to protest and other legal issues

Know what your legal rights are when participating in a protest/community campaign in Victoria. Source: The Law Handbook from the Fitzroy Legal Service.

screenshot of the first page of Bayard Rustin's organising manual for the march on washington in 1963

Organising Manual for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963

This organizing manual was written by Bayard Rustin & distributed for the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest civil rights rallies in US history.

From Little Things Big Things Grow Events That Changed Australia – August to May

A list of small actions and major events which challenged the state of Australian society and pointed to better ways forward.

Uncle Kevin Buzzacott stands in front of a large banner depicting a black hand against a red and yellow nuclear symbol.

Interview with Kevin Buzzacott

Kevin Buzzacott is a key figure in the opposition to the South Australian Olympic Dam mine and the nuclear industry in general. In this interview he outlines a number of the creative actions he has taken part in as part of a series of campaigns addressing the issues of dispossession and Aboriginal sovereignty.

Photograph of students holding a banner reading 'Our Future, Our Reef, Don't Risk It'.

Live tweeting at rallies and marches

Twitter is a very useful way to share your story outside traditional networks. Increasingly Twitter quotes and photos are used to embed in traditional media, and with a small amount of effort you can get your event trending. This will alert politicians and media to your issue.

Aerial photograph of huge crowd filling Federation Square and surrounding streets.

Tips for Turnout from Your Rights at Work

The Your Rights at Work campaign ran from 2005 to 2007 and included some of the largest mobilisations in Australian social movement history. This article draws out some of the lessons in relation to ensuring strong turn-out at rallies and other events.

A large crowd marching behind a banner saying: We march with Selma!

Building 21st Century Movements

Taren Stinebrickner-Kauffman, Founder and former Executive Director of SumofUs, at Progress 2015 with a series of movement case studies challenging us to be technological innovators and to bring our social change work to the cutting edge of the current century.

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