Step 3 in the Playbook

https://wagingnonviolence.org/2025/11/the-playbook-of-every-successful-nonviolent-struggle/

Was going through the ol’ RSS feeds this morning and found this from a great site more people should be looking at. It outlines a general playbook of successful struggle.

All of it made general sense to me. However, the thing I guess I needed to hear today and the thing that stuck out was Step 3 - Act to shift power.

Our default, too often, are marches and rallies. Yes, these can be symbolically powerful, but unless they’re part of a broader strategy to shift power — by withdrawing cooperation, applying economic pressure and disrupting key functions — they rarely force change on their own. Actions must not only express outrage, but help bring about specific shifts in power.

I think we inherently know this, but I also feel we aren’t actively doing it. There is a lot going on and sometimes getting out there in the streets is all we have energy to to. I will admit I was getting caught up in the guilt (protest FOMO??) of missing out on some recent rallys in my town. However, I know I am active in attempts to make small changes. I need to remind myself this often.

It really is the small moments that each person does for another human being that is power shifting. If we rally, it should end in actionable items. I guess like any meeting? So yeah, the guilt has been remediated. Thank you, Waging Nonviolence <3

Got any thoughts about this or the eficacy of protest? Reach out!