Defend The Sacred AK
Action Planning toolkit - 2020 Election Edition
Artwork by Jessi Thornton
*We are not planning an action at this time - but that shouldn’t stop you*
This toolkit is a collection of resources to inform collective action in the post election period. Please check back often as we’ll update frequently!
2020 has been a ride y’all. From Black Lives Matter, to the Arctic Refuge, the Willow Project, the Tongass roadless rule, MMIWG2S, and the too many beautiful relatives lost to an out of control pandemic - 2020 just won’t stop coming for what we love. We know our community of caring and bold action takers are tired and we know our community has been angry and frustrated. We honor the fact that this year we have witnessed powerful change happen through bold action in the streets; AND we know the emotional weight of long-sustained action, we value your energy. Check out this toolkit for Post-Election Wellbeing.
With election results unclear our community may want to take to the streets; we support local community devised direct action and we offer below some ways to be safe, direct, and strategic. EVERY VOTE MUST BE COUNTED and we are watching the process from now to Nov. 14th carefully. We are in this for the “long-haul” and in our community of bold action makers we see the beautiful road toward collective liberation. Check back here often and sign up to Pledge to Defend for more immediate action alerts.
Alaska Elections Timeline
Before taking to the streets check out the below timeline for strategic opportunities (points of intervention), messaging targets, and action planning tips. There are a number of ways to influence decision makers between election day and the time we have clear election results. From November 4th- 15th it is critical that ballot counting process is protected, transparent, and trusted — EVERY VOTE MUST BE COUNTED. This is particularly critically in Alaska’s state and congressional ballot counts.
While we have listed the process and decision makers for the remainder of Election Season, 2020 has proven that we can’t always count on processes to remain the same. We can expect that the rising fascism in this country will not go quietly, AND we can counter this with bold messages for fair and accurate counting processes — Every Vote Must Be Counted. This process takes time; there are many unknowns so let’s keep our eyes on the process. Study the below critical dates.
Key Alaska Election Season Dates & Figures
Nov. 3: Election Day
Nov. 10-15: Counting of Absentee Ballots. Key figures: Alaska Lt. Governor Kevin Meyer & Acting Attorney General Clyde Sniffen, Jr.
Nov. 25: State Elections Certified. Key entities: Division of Elections and State Affairs Committee.
safety and consent
In this historic time, please take your safety and your community’s safety seriously. Risk in any action requires informed consent, which can be withdrawn at any time for any reason or no reason at all. We like to practice F.R.I.E.S. - Consent should be Freely Given, Retractable, Informed, Enthusiastic and Specific. Consent is required in the building of just relationships. Practice this by making sure you and your team are well informed about any and all potential risks. Only engage in actions that align with your values.
Regardless of how the election unfolds
What we do know:
Trump has been and will continue to cast doubt on the electoral system.
White supremacists will be emboldened and/or enraged.
Three more months of this administration will do far reaching harm that will take years to undo.
We can build our skills and prepare for “flashpoints”.
What we don't know:
When and how Trump will escalate.
If the trump administration will halt ballot counts.
If he will pressure delegates to the electoral college.
If he will claim the election was illegitimate.
What do we do in the face of so much uncertainty?
Double down on what we do best.
Work towards short term goals that give us space to exercise agency and set us up to achieve long term priorities.
Be patient and respond tenderly when we notice urgency/panic/adrenalized responses in ourselves and each other.
Be strategic with our time, energy, and emotional labor.
10 Quick and Dirty Action Planning Steps
We suggest that you:
Reach out to groups engaged on the issue
Who is already working on this? What Indigenous lands are involved? Who are you accountable to? What communities are most directly impacted? How are you centering BIPOC leadership?
Determine your Target, Audience & Tone
Inventory your Resources & Choose a Tactic
Plan for de-escalation and COVID mitigation
Create Visuals: Memes, Banners, and Signs
Spread the Word, Write Media Advisory & Press Release
See example DtSAK Arctic Refuge templates for media advisory & press release
Implement the Action & Stream to Social Media
#CountEveryVote #EveryVoteCounts #ProtectOurVote #2020election #upholddemocracy
Identify Potential Negative Impacts of Action
Anticipate risks especially the disparate physical, legal, and economic consequences of the action for participants due to race, class, gender identity (real and perceived), age, appearance, immigration status, physical ability, etc. Manage risk of COVID-19 exposure informed by one's own and/or household members’ pre-existing medical conditions, caregiver responsibilities, etc.
Debrief the Action
Ask your group: What did we do well? What could we improve upon? How did the tactic affect our group, and our relationships with stakeholders and our target? What lessons did we learn from this action that we want to carry with us? What are our next steps?
Plan for Self and Community Care
You can find more resources here, or in these toolkits:
Stopping the Coup: The 2020 Guide
Ruckus Society Guide to Security Culture: Security measures activists can take to protect ourselves and make our work more effective.
Field Guide to the Armed Far Right
We encourage actions THat align with The Following:
Our values
We are Alaskans making space to uplift bold, courageous voices and actions for Justice. Our path of decolonization is guided by Indigenous voices and place-based knowledge. It is our responsibility to Unlearn, Dismantle, and Heal. We take leadership in recognizing our interconnected relationship to each other, the lands, waters, and all living beings. We step forward in action to defend this sacred connection. We are Alaskans: young people, elders, artists, educators, students, relatives, Alaska Natives, "transplants", long-time residents, newly arrived, and more. We are Alaskans who value people power in building a just and equitable transition forward.
Our principles
Unlearn, Dismantle, Heal, and Create: Decolonize.
Organize from the “bottom up”.
Uplift a matriarchal, decentralized, and marginalized leadership.
Grow an inclusive movement for all.
Create space for people to speak for themselves.
Work together in unity, solidarity, and accountability to each other.
Strive to build just relationships in our organizing.
Uplifting marginalized & oppressed voices that align with Defend the Sacred Alaska values.
Commit to a just and equitable transition away from an extractive, oppressive economy toward a regenerative, holistic, living worldview.
Acknowledge that we exist in a tangible system of racial injustice and that it is our responsibility to dismantle it.
Be soulful.
More for you to consider around actions:
Questions for sustainable action
Do we have access to resources we need, like time, human bodies, food, water, transportation, gear, and money?
Do we have people with specialized skills who can help others learn those skills?
Are we making time to check-in with one another (tension checks, one word affirmations, and other expressions that deepen respect, demonstrate care, and facilitate mutual growth)?
Are there any basic shared practices that can we introduce to our action spaces in order to ground us in difficult moments and support us to stick together through uncertainty, fear, and even set-backs?
From disruption-project.org Stopping the Coup Guide: Dealing with Threats
Personal Prep
Grounding: The ability to show up and perform at our best and make the healthiest decision often starts individually. Violence often emerges from chaos, so our ability to be calm and have a plan can be critical. Practice centering/grounding/focusing when possible, and know your own limits .
Get relationships/papers in order( to your kid, your cat, your car, your neighbor, your legal things!) In order so that on the street/frontline you are not held back by unfinished business/ can focus in the moment . Knowing where your support is: for your dependents ( kid, chickens, other responsibilities) Develop a personal support plan and contingencies ( physical, financial, emotional, etc). Here’s a free, easy-to-use tool for a will: FreeWill
Physically: being rested, hydrated, not sick, in shape to do what you plan ( if the plan includes walking 10 miles, can you do that?) Keeping up a physical/cardio/flexibility exercise routine if you have one to be ready.And showing up dressed right, with needed supplies.
Train or learn some defensive or self defense postures/moves/demands ( Step Back! No!) Generally having knees slightly bent, not stiff legs, and one ahead of the other in a variation on a ‘warrior pose’ from Yoga practice will help with balance and be more stable/ resistant to being knocked over. Somatic/embodied training is recommended. Having hands free and able to be up in front of your face for defense can be helpful.
Be realistic about what you try to control, knowing most things are out of your control. Let others control the areas they are in charge of. Make time to debrief later.
Debrief and de-tox when you can!
From disruption-project.org Stopping the Coup Guide: Dealing with Threats
If Violence Happens: Assertive Intervention/ De-escalation
One of the most critical things we can do, even when violence seems to be imminent, is to engage in Assertive Intervention/ De-escalation.
Assertive Intervention-- DeEscalation Tools & Tips from BeautifulTrouble and CPT
Assess: the scene, identify the conflict
Breathe: focus + calm, count to 10, ground, remember why you are there
Choose: if you will get involved, and how?
De-escalate: use the 6 D’s below
Escalate: only if this will help you reach your goal (you do have a goal, right?!)
Direct intervention:
Use open non-threatening body language, hands visible and empty
Use active listening
Lower volume, slow movement
Do not touch angry people, or police
Use appropriate content, be flexible, sing or chant
Delay: Wait it out, if that is an option
Distract: Direct attention elsewhere
Delegate: Work with a buddy or allies
Distance: Put space between you & the problem
Document: Let people involved know you are filming, from a safe distance if possible; use ACLU’s MobileJustice App or FacebookLive (uploads directly.) Remember to film the police’s actions and try not the protestor’s face who is confronting the police. Readout loud the police officer’s name/badge number while you are filming, so it is documented.
From disruption-project.org Stopping the Coup Guide: Dealing with Threats