BLOCK BY BLOCK: SOLIDARITY RISING

Campaign Overview

The moment we’re facing

We are now in a decisive phase of the fight against authoritarianism. Since Trump returned to office, immigrants and US-born working families alike have faced a massive onslaught. 350,000 people have been arrested by federal agents, 300-400,000 detained, and over 32 killed.

People are fighting back. Fifteen million people have protested. A recent poll has a super-majority disapproving of ICE. And politically Republicans now face 18 House races rated as Toss-Ups. As more districts tilt against them weekly– they must win three-quarters to keep their slim majority.

Mass anger exists, but mass organization does not yet exist at the scale needed to win. Movements become real when they reach millions: organized, trained, and acting together. Protest alone does not guarantee election turnout, nor more resistance in the streets. Without mass organization to scale, outrage dissipates.

With a smart, well-organized plan that combines street and ballot box power we will win all the way to 2028.

Our Strategy: Block by Block, Solidarity Rising

At SURJ, we are clear on our role in the work to help build a mass movement that can stop authoritarianism and build the world we need. Between now and the end of 2028, SURJ will defeat Trump and MAGA by:

Reaching one million white voters in key swing states
Mobilizing another one million white people to show up in the streets when key red lines are crossed, including attempts to steal elections

This is about white people choosing shared interest over division, rejecting racism, and standing for multiracial democracy.

Block by Block is our national campaign for 2026 to:

Elect working-class champions and block MAGA candidates
Mobilize tens of thousands of neighbors into mass actions like marches and local ICE resistance
Grow our power by bringing more and more people into our movement.

This is our moment to go on the offense to build progressive power, stop MAGA, and move more white people into a movement of working people fighting for our families, not the agendas of oil barons or tech billionaires. Everything flows from our three core missions: Elect, Mobilize, and Grow.

Elect

We will recapture the House, Senate, and Presidency by 2028 with leaders willing to challenge corporate and billionaire power and fight for working people. We will engage white voters and support true champions through having real conversations over the phone and at voters' doors all year– from primary races to the general election.

Mobilize

We know elections alone are not going to beat back rising authoritarianism and stop Trump’s consolidation of power. That’s why SURJ moves people to take action together when red lines are crossed (like the ICE surge in Minneapolis or invoking the Insurrection Act, for example) and make corporations like Target, Home Depot, and Hilton feel an economic cost for enabling ICE and the authoritarians. No Kings Day and May Day will be major tests that will show us how we’re doing as we prepare for larger mobilizations later in the year when it’s time to defend elections.

Grow

We will bring white people who are unorganized but organizable into sustained action with SURJ and the broader movement. We know if we’re serious about breaking up the MAGA trifecta, if we want to ensure elections happen and the results are honored, and we want to build a true multiracial democracy, we need to bring massive numbers of white people into this fight and this movement.

The path of Block by Block is simple: we will talk to neighbors, move our people into action, repeat. Block by Block means turning isolation into connection, fear into courage, and outrage into organized force.

What does it mean to join the Block by Block campaign?

Joining Block by Block means working with a local team to be part of the 3 core prongs of the work: Elect, Mobilize, Grow. This looks like forming or joining a local SURJ Circle or SURJ Chapter team and together, you and your local team will:

Elect:

Participate in at least one shift per month with SURJ contacting voters on the phones or by knocking doors
How it works: 1x a month: every member participates in a phonebank (calling voters) or canvasses (Knocking on voter's doors) to have real conversations so we can elect champions! More fun when you do it together!

Mobilize:

Show up in the street for mass mobilizations together to fight back: No Kings Day, May Day, showing up to protect free and fair elections, and more
How it works: 4x per year (roughly every other month) Block by Block circles and chapter teams participate in planned, movement-wide mobilization moments with millions of others across the country. Block by Block teams also prepare for and engage in additional mass noncooperation as it emerges.

Grow:

Build the movement by talking to friends and neighbors and by the end of the year bringing in dozens of people from your community who commit to join you in taking action and fighting back for elections, in mass mobilizations, and when red lines are crossed.
How it works: 1x a month teams do an Outreach/Recruitment Action: neighborhood canvassing, crowd canvassing, farmers market recruitment, etc. to invite neighbors to your Circle or Chapter Team’s monthly Welcome “Block Party” where you’ll share more about Block by Block and move them into action. Throughout the year, each member of the circle works on recruiting a list of 10-20 people– your mobilization pod– who pledge to take action with you!

Roles:

In order to support the actions above, Circle or Chapter Teams should have roles. Roles help with clarity, accountability, and commitment! If everyone is responsible for something, no one is responsible. As your circle or chapter team gets built out, circle or chapter members can join teams.

Grow Lead/Team:

- This is a good role for you if: you like talking to new people, encouraging others to try new things, and can create a welcoming vibe!
- Responsibilities:
  - Plan and execute one recruitment action a month (like knocking doors in your neighborhood, flyering at a protest, or tabling at a community event like a farmers market)
  - Plan and execute one Welcome Block Party a month to welcome new people in!

Mobilize Lead/Team:

- This is a good role for you if: you can coordinate lots of moving pieces, you’re direct and can help other people be brave, and you want to support your circle or chapter team to think strategically!
- Responsibilities:
  - Plan for key mobilization moments throughout the year: May Day, Election Defense, America 250 in the summer, and No Kings Day!
  - Support your team to decide if you all will participate in Rapid Response moments when they come up!

Elect Lead/Team:

- This is a good role for you if: you’re a good listener and ask good questions, you can be a cheerleader for people who are new to something, and you are excited to elect champions for the working class!
- Responsibilities:
  - Coordinate your circle or chapter team to participate in a phone bank or canvass once a month
  - Support your members in learning the mechanics of phone banking: how to use the technology, how to have good conversations, and how to keep going even when it’s hard!

Coordination Lead(s):

- This is a good role for you if: you like to bring people together and host, you can keep track of things, and if you believe in your team to do hard things together!
- Responsibilities:
  - Coordinate regular circle or chapter team meetings
  - Support members in their roles
  - Regular point of contact with SURJ National

Block by Block Training & Action Series

To support new groups, circles and chapters to run Block by Block: Solidarity Rising in your communities for the rest of the year, SURJ is offering a training & action series starting March 4th, 2026. Groups will deepen organizing skills, align with national strategy, and be ready to take action locally.

This training series will consist of three modules, each focused on one part of our strategy:

Grow Module — March 4 & 18, 2026

Learn how to bring new people into your group, plug them into meaningful roles, build strong and accountable teams, and develop leaders who can carry the work forward. Growing our base is essential to winning—this is how we build the scale and discipline needed to carry out Block by Block for the rest of the year.

Mobilize Module — April 1, 15 & 29, 2026

Get trained to organize coordinated, strategic action using tools of mass noncooperation. Prepare to move quickly when our rights and democracy are threatened, and build toward May Day: A Day Without Workers.

Elect Module — May 13, 2026

Learn why winning the power to govern is a key part of our strategy and the role your circle, chapter, or group can play in supporting progressive candidates and blocking MAGA power.

By the end of this series, your group will be ready to grow your base, mobilize for action, and take part in electoral strategy. We’ll provide all the structure, toolkits, and guidance you need to plug into our national program and make a real difference—block by block.

Training Structure

Every other week is a live training, and on the off weeks, your circle or chapter team meets locally to take an action step and put the training into practice. For those off weeks, we will provide clear Action Guides, so you know exactly what steps to take.

Training Materials

References and Quick Links:

3/4/2026: Grow Module Session #1
- Slides
- Recording (note: the Chapter & Circle breakout room was not recorded due to technical glitch! We know how to fix this for our next session!)
3/18/2026: Grow Module Session #2
- Slides
- Main Room Recording
4/1/2026: Mobilize Module Session #1
- Slides
- Recordings
  1. Main Room Recording
  2. Brand New Participant Breakout Room
  3. Existing Chapter & Circle Breakout Room
4/15/2026: Mobilize Module Session #2
- Slides
- Recordings
  1. Main Room Recording
  2. Brand New Participant Breakout Room
5/13/2026: Elect Module Session
- Slides
- Main Room Recording

Week of 3/9-3/15 Action Guide

If you are not already part of a SURJ Circle:

Make a list of at least 3 people you’d like to bring onto your team.
- Invite them to next week’s Action Hour. You can gather in-person and call in together. The Action Hour has a Welcome Space for people new to SURJ, so you can learn about SURJ together and take action in real time.
- OR/AND invite them to the next Block by Block training on 3/18. This is another way to bring people into the work and start building your team.
Put some time into thinking about your shared interest story.
- Resource

If you are already part of a SURJ Circle or Chapter:

- Hold a Meeting with your Circle or Chapter Team.
  - The goals of the meeting are to:
    - Build shared understanding of what the Block by Block program is and what it means to participate as a team
    - Create space for honest reactions, questions, and hopes
    - Identify what will need to shift in your current structure or programming to fully participate
    - Clarify team roles and start to think through who will take them on.
  - This is a meeting template for you to use.

Make a list of at least 3 people that you’d like to bring onto your team, reach out to them and schedule some time for a 1 on 1 organizing conversation.
- - Resources

Week of 3/22-3/28 Action Guide

Your Mission: Grow Your Team & Our Movement at No Kings Day

SURJ is showing up strong for No Kings Day on March 28th—and this is a major opportunity to grow your team and build our movement.

The goal of this training is to help you start or strengthen a SURJ Circle or Chapter Team so you can run Block by Block in your community throughout the year. The model is simple: each month, your team takes on one recruitment/outreach action, like neighborhood canvassing, tabling in your community, or crowd canvassing, to invite people into a Welcome Party where they can plug into ongoing organizing.

This is our first time practicing that together. For this cycle, we will show up to No Kings Day to recruit and then invite people to a Welcome Party the following weekend.

Keep reading for the steps & materials you need to do this!

Step 1: Find Your Local No Kings Event

Find an event near you:
https://www.mobilize.us/nokings/

Step 2: Meet Up with Your People!

A meet-up is a simple, welcoming way to gather before the action.
What it looks like:
- Pick a meeting spot (coffee shop, park, outside the rally)
- Gather your people & get to know each other
- Ground together + set intentions
- Ask people to Crowd Canvass & teach them how
- Head into the action as a group
Why Host a Meet Up?
- Lowers the barrier to entry: People are much more likely to show up, especially for their first rally or action, if they have a group to go with.
- Builds connection right away: It creates space for people to meet, ground together, and feel a sense of belonging before the action even begins.
- Turns attendance into organizing: A meet-up gives you a natural moment to talk about next steps and invite people to stay involved with SURJ beyond the event.
Steps to Hosting a Meet Up:
- (Optional) Put your Meet-Up On SURJ’s Mobilize Map
  - SURJ uses the website Mobilize to list public events and track recruitment. Create a mobilize event here.
  - Posting your meet-up on the Map:
    - Lets SURJ National invite others in your area to join
    - Helps folks nearby find and show up to your meet-up
    - Makes your contingent part of a visible national wave of action
  - This event will be public so anyone can find the action and join you! In this Mobilize event you should include information about when and where you will be meeting up ahead of and after the action.
- Use this guide to prepare for your Meet-Up

Step 3: Crowd Canvass at No Kings Day

Crowd Canvass = talking to people at the event and inviting them into organizing. This is the core of your work. You’re meeting people who’ve already shown they want to take action by being there and helping them take the next step.
Use These Tools & Prepare Your Materials
- Crowd Canvassing Guide (prep + tips)
- Conversation Script (to start + invite)
- Print Paper Sign-Up Sheets (to collect contact info)
- Print Flyer with QR Code (These link to SURJ National events, in case folks want more info or don’t want to share contact info)

Step 4: Follow-Up

Following up is one of the most important parts of this process. Best practice is to reach out within 48 hours of the event.
Personal calls and texts are the most effective way to build connections and invite people to your next step. If you don’t have capacity to call everyone right away, you can start with a follow-up email and then make a plan to reach out individually before your Welcome Party.

Step 5: Prepare to Host a Welcome Party

Your goal is not just to meet people, but to bring them into community and ongoing organizing.
Plan to host a Welcome Party the weekend after No Kings Day. This is a chance to build relationships, introduce SURJ, and invite people into the ongoing work of your team. At this first Welcome Party, you’ll connect folks to what’s next by inviting them to take part in May Day and begin planning and organizing alongside you.
Be sure to create your Welcome Party on Mobilize so people can register and stay connected.
- You can choose to make your Welcome Party private so only people with the link can register, or public so others in your area can find and join.
- As you plan, think about what location feels most comfortable and secure for you. This could be your home, a public library, or another shared space. Your safety and comfort matter. If you’re hosting at a private residence, you can list an approximate location on Mobilize and share the exact address only with people after you’ve had a chance to call and talk to them personally and feel comfortable inviting them.
We will provide a Facilitation Guide for you to use to host your party! That will be coming soon!

Week of 4/5-4/11 Action Guide

Your mission in between our 4/1 training and our 4/15 training is to:

If you are a brand new participant in this series & you are NOT already part of a SURJ Circle or SURJ chapter team:

Make a list of at least 3 people you’d like to bring onto your team.
Invite those 3 people over for a potluck!

If you are a returning participant (you attended at least 1 of the 2 previous trainings in this series), but are NOT already part of a SURJ Circle or SURJ chapter team:

You should be doing follow-up with the people that you met at No Kings Day! Invite the people you met at No Kings Day to a Welcome Party!
- Personal calls and texts are the most effective way to build connections and invite people to your next step. If you don’t have capacity to call everyone right away, you can start with a follow-up email and then make a plan to reach out individually before your Welcome Party.
Host a Welcome Party Before the 4/15 training (if possible)!
- This is a chance to build relationships, introduce SURJ, and invite people into the ongoing work of your team. At this first Welcome Party, you’ll connect folks to what’s next by inviting them to take part in May Day and begin planning and organizing alongside you.
- Be sure to create your Welcome Party on Mobilize so people can register and stay connected.
  - You can choose to make your Welcome Party private so only people with the link can register, or public so others in your area can find and join.
  - As you plan, think about what location feels most comfortable and secure for you. This could be your home, a public library, or another shared space. Your safety and comfort matter. If you’re hosting at a private residence, you can list an approximate location on Mobilize and share the exact address only with people after you’ve had a chance to call and talk to them personally and feel comfortable inviting them.
- Use this Welcome Party Agenda to plan and facilitate your party!

If you are a part of a SURJ Circle or SURJ chapter team:

Decide if it makes sense for your group to have a Welcome Party in the next two weeks before our next training or just an internal meeting to start making plans and setting goals.
- If you met new people at No Kings Day or have new people that you are looking to invite into your work, hosting a Welcome Party is a great option!
  - Follow the instructions above!
- If you decide to host an internal team meeting instead of a Welcome Party. You can still use the Welcome Party Agenda to guide your meeting.

Everyone: Start Collecting May Day Pledge Signatures! Here's the steps:

Review this sample script (Coming by 4/3!)
Make a plan for how you’ll collect your signatures. One option is to print off this paper pledge sheet so you’ll have all your signatures in one place.
- Note: it’s super important to keep track of who signs the pledge! 90% of organizing is about follow up. Once someone signs the pledge, you’ll want to follow up with them the week of May Day to support them to follow through.
Ask people you talk to to go to the May Day pledge link and fill out the pledge themselves! You can use this link: act.surj.org/a/maydaypledge.
- By filling out the online pledge, we’re helping our partners keep track of our collective impact!

Page updated

Report abuse