Who This Is For

A citizen who is ready to take civic action — joining or organizing demonstrations, supporting campaigns, getting out the vote, and building community resistance. You understand your basic rights (see the Citizen Playbook) and are ready to act.

Time commitment: Work through steps 1–3 before your first action. Steps 4–6 can be completed over several weeks.

Emergency Reference

At a demonstration: Write NLG hotline on your arm in marker before you go: 212-679-6018

If served with a lawsuit for your activism: Contact ACLU (aclu.org) and EFF (eff.org) immediately. Do not ignore it.

If being followed or surveilled: Stop communicating anything sensitive over standard channels. Switch to Signal.

Learning Sequence

Step 1: Nonviolent Resistance Fundamentals

Read: Comprehensive Toolkit for Opposing Autocracy and Authoritarianism (Section 1: Best Practices for Nonviolent Resistance)

The evidence base for why nonviolent action works — Erica Chenoweth’s 3.5% rule, Gene Sharp’s 198 methods, the strategic logic of maintaining nonviolent discipline. This is the foundation.

Step 2: Protest Safety and De-Escalation

Read: Protest De-Escalation Primer: Best Practices for Political Protesters

Evidence-based de-escalation techniques for political protesters. How to maintain nonviolent discipline when tensions rise, what to do when police give dispersal orders, how to protect vulnerable participants.

Step 3: Find Training and Organizations

Read: knowledgebase/nonviolent_civil_disobedience_organizations.md

Organizations that provide training in nonviolent civil disobedience: Momentum, Training for Change, Center for Popular Democracy, and others. Where to get trained before taking action.

Step 4: Get Out the Vote

Read: Get Out the Vote: Campaign Operations Guide

How to run voter registration drives, canvassing programs, phone banks, and Election Day operations. Canvassing is the most effective GOTV method — learn to do it right.

Step 5: Keep Your Communications Secure

Read: Digital Security for Citizens and Activists Read: Use-Case Playbook: Keeping Communication Private and Secure

Signal, secure email, and operational security for activists. What law enforcement can access and what you can do to protect your organizing.

Step 6: Know Your Legal Risks

Read: SLAPP Suits and Frivolous Lawsuits: An Activist’s Guide Read: Use-Case Playbook: Responding to SLAPP Lawsuits

How to recognize a SLAPP suit, which states have anti-SLAPP protections, and where to get free legal help if you are sued for your activism.

When You Are Ready to Go Deeper

• Political Activist Playbook — for experienced organizers
• Civil Rights Activist Playbook — for rights defenders
• Voting Rights Activist Playbook — for election work
• Organizing a Peaceful Protest — step-by-step protest planning
• Organizing a Resistance Group — building sustained movements

Key Organizations for New Activists