Paul Engler

For movements trying to harness the energy that emerges during political upheavals, mass training provides a crucial means to develop leadership and bring in new participants.

An innovative Extinction Rebellion campaign to end to fossil fuel subsidies in the Netherlands offers key lessons for the next wave of the climate movement.

Building on the legacy of activist entertainers such as Paul Robeson, Eartha Kitt and Harry Belafonte, here are five ways movements for justice and famous supporters can partner to promote change.

Reviving song culture strengthens our capacity to create social change.

Christians are splitting with the religious right over Trump, COVID and Black Lives Matter, creating opportunities for those interested in social justice.

Even in times of social distancing, building a collective, social response to the pandemic is our only salvation.

“Trump’s election was a massive wake up call – for many reasons. For us, the explosion of participation and emergent formation of the resistance was a wake up call that more people wanted and needed this information than we realized.”

Whether it’s progress on civil rights, ending child labor, or securing women the vote, history tells us that major advances in American life have come from citizens’ movements organizing from below rather than from timid politicians cutting deals on high.