Becoming a citizen activist : stories, strategies, and advice for changing our world

A bipartisan self-help guide to political activism for citizens wanting to improve the world around them—with real-life examples and practical tips—from one of Seattle’s most celebrated leaders From post-inauguration rallies to #NoDAPL and the Black Lives Matter movement to the global Women’s March on Washington, the people are exercising their power through protest and community organizing in a way that hasn’t been seen in years. For those looking to organize for the first time or for seasoned activists looking to update their repertoire, the time is ripe for a playbook like Becoming a Citizen Activist. A longtime Seattle city councilmember and one of the city’s most effective and inspiring leaders of progressive political and social change since the 1960s, Nick Licata outlines how to get organized and master the tactics to create change by leveraging effective communication strategies (such as creating community through online channels like Facebook and Twitter), how to effectively engage traditional media channels, and how to congregate local and national people power. Licata demonstrates by example that we can fight city hall. Balancing an idealistic vision of a better world with the clear-eyed pragmatism necessary to build it from the ground up, this smart and powerful book will empower any activist with the tools they need to effect change. Prologue 1. You Can Fight City Hall The Minimum Wage Story Elections Count 2. See the World as It Should Be Read beyond the Words See the Small Things That Generate the Big Things 3. Learn to Listen The Politics of Anger Let the Police Speak Women Reshape Local Government Out of the Closet Immigrant Rights 4. The Power Is in the Details The Columbia University Strike Students Expose Sweatshop Providers Ticketing Aggressive Panhandling Passing Paid Sick Leave Tracking Hate Crimes Networking Information 5. Change Is a Marathon Getting to Same-Sex Marriage Legalizing Marijuana 6. Get the Word Out Books Magazines Pamphlets Handouts Posters Newspapers Radio TV E-mail Facebook Twitter YouTube Blogs 7. People Tools for Organizing Petitions Opinion Polls Public Forums 8. The Servant in Public Servant Make Politicians Work for You Embrace the Critics Nudge, Don't Lecture "Being Supportive" : Is It Real? 9. Protest Assert Yourself Refusing to Get a Divorce Raising Your Fist at the Olympic Games Women in Black Stopping Coal and Oil Trains Shouting Them Down Occupy Wall Street The Tea Party Crashes the Party 10. Disrupt the Culture Disrupt the Status Quo, Gently Explore New Cultural Values : Start an Intentional Community Join a Parade Create a People's Poet Populist Create Cultural Districts 11. Take the Power and Use It Homeless Encampments : The Poor Take Control Community Land Trusts : Housing Is Not a Commodity Student Power Democracy Dies Without You. "Recent waves of social activism like the Occupy movement and Black Lives Matter show that you can fight city hall--or any other powerful entity for that matter. Now comes the playbook for citizen activists wanting to improve the world around them from Nick Licata, admired Seattle city councilmember and one of the city's most effective leaders of political and social change since the 1960s. In this smart and powerful book, Licata explains how to get organized, congregate power, and master the tactics for change. He is insightful in comparing effective communication with methods that just don't work. Licata's observations on the intricacies of power will empower any activist who wants to make a difference in today's world." -- Provided by publisher