Step Four: Mobilize
Mobilizing doesn’t have to be perfect, official, massive or polished — it simply has to be.
Across America, we have watched people commit to understanding what is at stake. They have shared information and quiet stories about what’s going on, and this sparked a decision to connect. To organize. Next, though, is the call to action. To take what we know, what we’ve shared and who wants the same — and act on it. This is what’s known as mobilizing. Like every other step, mobilizing can happen out of order. First we bring food to neighbors hit by layoffs, then we examine why. Or maybe we’re swept up in an ICE raid in our town, we warn our community and then we organize a whistle brigade. In our 10 Steps to Freedom and Power, mobilizing is what happens when we do something — anything — to take action. Mobilizing doesn’t have to be perfect, official, massive or polished — it simply has to be. And it works by simply turning our concern and commitment into action. At that moment, we are mobilizing.
Mobilizing can look like:
Exchanging banned books with neighbors on your street.
Helping an immigrant family grocery shop or find legal aid.
Showing up to support your local library and hosting a friends of the library walkthrough.
Joining — or starting — a tenants group.
Hosting a small gathering or conversation in your home or community space.
Small actions, taken consistently, create movement — and we’ve seen how quickly that can build.
Last month, more than 8 million people turned out for No Kings rallies across the country — the single largest protest in American history. I attended the No Kings rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico where I spoke to nearly 50,000 people. Of course, I talked about the ways the Republican regime is pushing us deeper into an authoritarian state. I shared. Then I spoke about the ways we can fight back. First, by showing up and then by doing something. Protest is a vital start. Mobilizing is what comes next.
The No Kings protests are important proof that we are not in this alone. When 8 million people show up with a common message, we know we can win. But when the posters are put away, we are called upon to turn our energy into output. Wherever we are, we can decide to take action, scale up slowly, and keep going. Pick the issue that matters and give it a bit of our time. It adds up, I promise.
One of the keys in the 10 Steps to Autocracy and Authoritarianism is breaking the government so it no longer works for people. That means cutting agencies, firing civil servants, and replacing expertise with chaos and incompetence so the people lose trust. Making the pain so bad, we forget what competence felt like.
This regime may have been successful at gutting agencies and bankrupting public services, but they will never be successful in breaking our willingness to defend our values. Because before we had these programs, we had each other. And, together, we can build a stronger system, a more resilient society. It all starts with a step.
So what does mobilizing look like right now?
Picking one action — the one that feels doable and helpful — and following through.
Making participation visible so others know how to join you or are inspired to find their own actions.
Creating opportunities for people to show up, even in small ways.
Staying consistent, even when it feels quiet or less than the moment demands.
Exchange banned books. Help immigrants. Join a tenants union. Host neighborhood potlucks and regular conversations. Then look around and see what’s next. Turn 15 minutes into 30. Once a month into once a week. Single actions into a network of change. Every movement starts small — and what is sustainable must begin.
Below are resources to help you take that next step:
Getting Started:
Track and attend public events on the issues you care about.
Share resources and information about community needs.
Participate in existing organizational actions.
Building Momentum:
Volunteer to help with mobilization efforts for organizations you support.
Host and organize small group actions in your community (forums, resource drives, petitions, solidarity events).
Coordinate with other groups for larger actions.
Leadership Development:
Learn planning and mobilization skills from experienced organizers.
Take on a leadership role in your organization, work with established organizations to plan and coordinate major community actions.
We are taking our own advice about organizing and reaching out. Our 10 Steps Campaign now has Mobilize, with events to choose from that are located near you. Check it below!
Get out there and do it.
I love the information you provide us and it is presented in such a positive manner that keeps me focused and motivated.