Community Direct Action Roles

A lot of folks tend to feel like they don't know what they can do for the movement but in reality, there are so many different roles and needs within movement work that there is absolutely a place for everyone.

(Shout-out to The HRT Locker for making this graphic)

Even in direct action itself, a well planned action has a huge array of roles to make sustainable action happen. Being in the front lines of the street is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to these roles, and they are reflections of the larger community needs roles.

People can do a lot of work from their homes or not onsite. This is where disabled folks are absolutely vital to direct actions. There are so many ways for folks to contribute:

- communications

- evacuations

- counter surveillance

- feeding people

- laundry

- childcare

- collecting resources

- ride shares

- medical care

- safe spaces for trauma breakdowns

- a place to crash for the night

Are all examples that don't require a body on the front line, but they all support those doing front line work.

Every single role is necessary and vital to make any long term revolutionary movement sustainable. No one role is more important than any other.

Street movement work is only part of the equation. Sustainable community work is necessary because it's what's left after the fighting is over. It's what keeps those on the front lines able to continue doing that work.

Community is what we have at the end of all things. Community is the true liberation.

You can do community, actionably. Your skills are needed, according to your ability. Your needs get met in community, accordingly.

And your community and affinity groups need to reflect these needs and roles.

Inclusiveness is knowing and understanding that all of us means ALL of us. Our communities need to make sure we are meeting the needs of those most marginalized among us and plugging folks in where they can.