Looking for an activist group

[grumpyduck]

I've been looking for an activist group to join but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I wrote my two local Indivisible groups a couple of weeks ago and have received no response, and the local Dem groups basically just seem to want money. I could spend hours going thru Google pages, but wanted to see if any of you know of a good, active group. Online is fine if that's all there is. Thanks.

[catrose]

1. I'm amazed at all the groups there are in my are (Central Texas)

If you can stand the Great Satan Facebook, you can try searching for groups there. They announce their events there, and you can just show up and test drive them.

[grumpyduck]

2. Thanks. That's one of my "dinosaur" hangups.

I've been on FB twice and dumped it both times.

Maybe it's my area.

[catrose]

3. There's lots of reasons to avoid FB

I don’t mind looking for you if you want to let me know your area, by PM if you prefer. I’m curious about whether other areas are as active.

[grumpyduck]

4. Thank you. SF Bay Area.

[Garrett78]

7. I'm sure there are dozens in the Bay Area. Here's one:

https://www.ywcasf-marin.org/our-programs/community-programs/stand-against-racism/

[grumpyduck]

8. Thank you.

I knew if I asked here I'd get some good referrals.

[catrose]

10. Here's what I found with a quick look

https://www.facebook.com/bayresistance/
https://www.facebook.com/ResistanceSF/
https://www.facebook.com/IndivisibleSF/
https://www.commonwealthclub.org/events
You should be able to see these without joining anything, and going to events might help you figure out what you'd like to do, if you don't yet know.

There's also phone banking, block walking, postcard writing, etc. for individual candidates.

Just reading material that might give you ideas:
https://medium.com/@sanfranmag/the-resistance-2716cbd2fa24
https://twitter.com/sfbayresistance?lang=en

Here's one you can do all by yourself (though I've found several groups that meet up just to write postcards together, whether to officials or voters).
https://postcardstovoters.org

Meetup is a great idea. You might also look at the alternative newspapers for ideas too. I know the Bay Area is resisting with all its might! Good luck!

[grumpyduck]

11. Wow! Thank you!

I knew there was stuff out there -- I just didn't know where to look. This is great info!

[mnhtnbb]

5. Have you tried

https://www.meetup.com/

for your area? They have a category called "Movements"

[grumpyduck]

6. Haven't thought of that one

but thank you.

[Downtown Hound]

9. A few questions...

What type of activism are you looking to do? Will it center on getting Democrats elected, saving the environment, or fighting against racism? Or will it be more of a single issue type of thing such as universal health care or helping the homeless?

There are literally dozens of activist groups in the Bay Area. To find the right one for you, ask yourself what you care about most and would like to dedicate your time to. Also ask yourself what kind of activism you are willing to do. There's many different kinds.

There's activism such as manning phone booths or knocking door to door doing canvasing. There's activism that includes marches and protesting. There's activism that includes outreach programs that feed and clothe the homeless and the needy. There's activism that includes direct action and civil disobedience. There's activism that includes directly opposing white supremacists and fascists through physical confrontation such as Antifa.

Ask yourself what you not only would like to do but are realistically willing to do. Are you in good enough health to hit the streets for hours at a time going door to door in the blaring heat or cold? Do you have enough free time to volunteer in a homeless shelter? Are you willing to be arrested and possibly jailed for an act of civil disobedience? These are questions that every budding activist must ask themselves.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what you choose. There are kinds of ways to help out, and all of them are honorable and important. But you might be having trouble finding a group because your current focus is too wide. Try narrowing it down some. I'll try and steer you in the right direction based on your answers.

[grumpyduck]

12. Thank you!

You're correct about focusing. Lemme think about that and see what comes up. Best regards.