Solidarity Archives

an icon of an abstract power button with two hands shaking at the bottom of the circle

It’s All About Power: A Guide to Thinking Differently about Power for Solidarity in Social Change

This guide has resources to help you think about how power is at play and to take action to transform power and build solidarity in social change.

Jail Solidarity and Supporting Prisoners

Introduction In recent times Australia and other countries have seen the introduction and threat of new laws aimed at further criminalizing blockades, lock-ons and other forms of non-violent direct action. The following resources canvas a range of ways in which campaigners and protesters have responded to arrest and imprisonment for political activities. Whilst much of […]

Strikers walking along a rocky beach next to the water holding signs. One reads Equal rights for all workers.

Defending Unionism: The Weipa Dispute, 1995

Introduction During the 1980s and 1990s a series of campaigns saw workers fight back against attacks on their wages and conditions, jobs, unions and rights in Australia. Occurring in the context of the 1983-1996 ALP-ACTU Accord, a number of companies increased their union busting efforts. Disputes in the then highly unionised mining industry were common. […]

Can NGOs and Social Movements be Authentic Allies?

Four things not for profit organisations can take into consideration to be authentic allies with social movements.

Diversity & Inclusion: Start Here

Find a comprehensive list of resources from The Commons Social Change Library on diversity, inclusion and solidarity in social movements.

Change Makers (Text on orange background)

Changemaker Chat with Samuel Chu: Community Organising in the US for Hong Kong Democracy

Samuel Chu – founder of Hong Kong Democracy Council in the US – discusses the Hong Kong pro-democracy movement and international solidarity.

close up of Australian Aboriginal flag being carried by protestors

First Nations Resources: Start Here

A guide to First Nations campaigning and activist resources in the Commons Social Change Library including stories and perspectives.

protestors with a banner that says Thanks but no tanks

Thanks But No Tanks: Learnings from Disrupt Land Forces [Brisbane: 2021]

Actions and learnings from Australia’s Disrupt Land Forces Campaign at the Brisbane’s 2021 Land Forces weapons expo.

Protest poster - Aboriginal Australians in protest holding a sign that says No mining on sacred land. The wording on the poster says We, The People of Noonkanbah call for support.

Noonkanbah 1979: When Unionists Stood up for Aboriginal Rights

The Noonkanbah dispute was an important chapter in both the struggle for Australian Aboriginal rights and union solidarity in the 1970s-80s.

A group of people of different races stand together. Each person wears a Democracy in Colour tshirt.

Standing in Solidarity with People of Colour

Awareness of racial injustice is spreading and many white people are wondering how they can challenge white supremacy and act in solidarity. This article outlines Democracy in Colour’s Solidarity Network and shares thought provoking resources.

A black trans lives matter demonstration with the BQIC (Black Queer & Intersectional Collective) shutting down High Street in Columbus, OH. Person holding loudspeaker addressing a crowd on the street.

Building intersectional resistance alliances during COVID-19

Despite the global challenges presented by coronavirus, activists can use this moment to strengthen solidarity between movements.

11 volunteers standing in rows posing for a photo

Fighting online racist trolls

Laura O’Connell Rapira from ActionStation (Aotearoa New Zealand) ran a workshop at the conference, FWD+Organise 2019, about how their organisation worked with volunteers to tackle the trolls behind online hate.

Solidarity in times of crisis: Listen to the Progress 2019 panel

Audio recording of the ‘Solidarity In Times Of Crisis’ panel from Progress 2019. Speakers considered the role of civil society in countering the conditions and beliefs that give rise to daily discrimination as well as events such as the Christchurch terror attacks.

Dockworkers in Australia, pictured here alongside other trade union members in a march through central Melbourne, acted in solidarity with South African workers in the 1980s. Reuters

Lessons that can be learnt from dockworkers who helped bring apartheid to its knees

Article about the transnational solidarity activism of maritime unions and how the actions of dockworkers in Australia helped drive the local and national anti-apartheid movement.

Advice for pro-Indigenous white activists in Australia

These four short videos, two featuring Gary Foley and two featuring Robbie Thorpe, are essential viewing for non-Indigenous people seeking to act in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Front cover of Power in Coalition by Amanda Tattersall.

Five Principles for Building Powerful Coalitions

Not all coalitions are made equal. While alliances between unions and community organizations are an important and useful strategy for social change, their power and success varies greatly depending on the strategic choices of those involved.

Cover of Anne Bishop's book Becoming An Ally: Ending the Cycle of Oppression in People

Becoming allies: Reaching across the divide

Allies work is key to building strong and diverse groups and social movements. An ally is someone outside an oppressed group or identity, who commits to standing alongside those people.

When planning a coalition, think of a RAINBOW

The RAINBOW framework draws on Amanda Tattersall’s extensive research and experience around building coalitions. Successful coalitions are built on strong relationships and clarity of purpose.

Sally McManus wears a 'Change the Rules' tshirt in front of a large crowd of workers holding banners and flags.

Change the Rules to Fight Inequality

Powerful words from Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus at Progress 2017, as she breaks down the fight that lies ahead for all those who believe in fairness and justice.

Photograph of River Red Gum trees submerged in water.

Victorian red gum forests: A historic victory

A comprehensive case study of the successful campaign to protect Victorian Red Gum Forests. Includes the history of the Barmah-Millewa Campaign, its goals and results. Given the historic outcomes of the campaign it is worth examining how such an effective green-black alliance emerged in south-eastern Australia.

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