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This is information for forming a circle - or a group of two or more people in your community who work together to Protect and Resist.
Protect & Resist Circles
Protect & Resist Circles
What is a Protect & Resist Circle?
What is a Protect & Resist Circle?
Whether it’s our neighbors, our co-workers, our friends, or our family members - taking action and learning about how to organize is so much better to do with others. Fascist and authoritarian regimes - like Trump and his billionaire cronies - depend on us staying isolated. Asking people to join us is in itself an act of resistance because we are refusing to stay alone and afraid.
Protect & Resist Circles are groups of 3-12 people in a similar geographical area who meet on a semi regular basis (at least 3 times between Feb 19 - May 1 or at least 2 times if joining the campaign after March 24th), participate in SURJ National Calls, organize around the Pledge to Protect & Resist and recruit and participate in a local action during the May 1st Day of Action.
By forming a circle we can:
Learn how to work with other people about things we really care about
Try new things out together, learn from each other and support one another (especially when you feel like you can’t keep going, lean on each other!)
Build our power! Every person we move from inaction to action is another addition to our powerful movement.
What do Circles Do?
What do Circles Do?
Attend SURJ National Calls as a group
Hold local in person circle meetings to build relationships
Ask leaders and community members to sign onto the Pledge to Protect and Resist
Participate in the May 1st Day of Action!
You can learn a lot more about what circles do in the Circle Organizing Guide. If you would like to check out our Protect & Resist Orientation Call for Circle Hosts and Participants from February 26 you can watch the recording here!
6 Steps to Forming a Circle
6 Steps to Forming a Circle
Fill out the Circle Host Commitment Form to let us know you're in!
Sign up for all of the Protect and Resist Events that you are able to attend!
Join us on Slack to get connected with the thousands of everyday people across the country who are also coming together to do big things!
You will get info on how to do this in the follow up email after you fill out the circle host commitment form!
Make a list of 3-5 people who you will ask to join your circle. Think about:
Who have I seen posting on social media who seems really angry and looking for a place to take action?
Who is an old friend I remember having a political conversation with 5 years ago who I could reach out to?
Are my siblings or my partner taking action?
When you ask people to join, you’re giving them an opportunity to take action. Remember the very first time you took action - whether it was with SURJ a few days ago, or decades ago. What did it feel like? There are so many people looking for an opportunity to act, and they will be grateful you asked. If you don’t ask someone to join, you’re deciding for them instead of letting them make the choice!
Ask your 3-5 people to join!
Template Guide for outreach coming soon!
Usually about 50% of people say yes to being asked - so don’t be surprised if they say no! You can follow up with them.
Go to the Circles Organizing Guide to find your next steps!
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