Find your people!
In #ShutDownDC we organize and take action in small groups called Affinity Groups to stay coordinated, safe and effective in the streets.
Affinity groups are small(ish) groups of as few as 4-5 people and as many as 20 (or more) people who take action together. Sometimes affinity groups come together because they have a common interests (like climate justice or anti-racism), other affinity groups come together around social networks (your group of friends who go out to protests together), and other affinity groups come together around certain tactics (a group that likes to paint street murals or blockade intersections).
Working through affinity groups is a great way to make sure that everyone has a voice and can participate in shaping the overall action. Individually, affinity groups make plans through a process of consensus building. And groups of affinity groups can coordinate together through a spokes council.
A spokes council is an organizing space where different types of groups come together to coordinate about their distinct activities and make joint decisions as necessary. There are many ways to organize a spokes council but in #ShutDownDC spokes councils are typically open to anyone, but final decisions are made by “spokes” — one from each group. Throughout spokes council meetings spokes can check in with members to collect reactions and react to proposals in a directly democratic way.
Find your affinity group!
While some organizations are coming together as part of an existing organization or network, there are many affinity groups that are open to new people. Looking for an affinity group? Fill out this quick form and someone will be in touch!