How You Can Get Involved | Cultures of Resistance

The challenges of conflict and injustice in the world can often seem overwhelming. Although many of us would like to take a greater part in promoting positive change, it can be difficult to find good information and know how we can effectively contribute. That is why Cultures of Resistance decided to literally search the planet to find inspiring forms of creative resistance. In doing so, we have forged bonds with a broad array of cutting-edge organizers who have recommended meaningful ways that you can join in campaigns for peace and justice.

Below are some top options for getting involved with campaigns featured in the Cultures of Resistance documentary and short films. We can help put you in touch with any of these groups and can brainstorm with you the best ways for you to contribute. If there is a group featured in any of our films with which you would like to get involved that is not listed below, we can help connect you with someone at that organization. Email us at outreach@culturesofresistance.org to get started, or take a look at the opportunities below.

What You Can Do

Stand in Solidarity with the People of the Congo
The nearly 15-year-old conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues today, largely fueled by our consumption of luxury electronic devices. While international attention to the issue has grown in recent years, the war is still grossly underreported and the violent dynamics of the extraction and trade of the country's precious minerals remain. CoR ally Friends of the Congo (FOTC) has been working for years to build international solidarity with the people of the DRC, and they recommend numerous ways to help. Their annual Congo Week campaign aims to raise international awareness by organizing coordinated demonstrations around the world. Last year people from over 35 countries and at 150 universities took part. Cultures of Resistance and Friends of the Congo can help you organize an event on your campus or in your community as part of this year's Congo Week. We can provide program materials, offer access to engaging speakers, and lend expert advice based on past experience. You can also take immediate action by urging your elected officials to implement and enforce section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act, which requires U.S. corporations to investigate and report their involvement in the conflict minerals trade. Click here to visit our issue page about the conflict in the Congo which, at the bottom of the page, features more information on how to get involved.

Safeguard Leading Activists Working For A New Latin America
If you are moved by the struggle against militarization and for democracy in Latin America, there are a number of serious ways to get involved. The Network in Solidarity with the People of Guatemala (NISGUA) is looking for Grassroots Campaign Leaders to work with like-minded activists to create letter-writing drives demanding that the Guatemalan government respect grassroots democracy. Those willing to travel and to make an intensive six-month commitment can join in another vital volunteer initiative: the Guatemala Accompaniment Project (G.A.P.). An initiative of NISGUA, the G.A.P. recruits and trains U.S. citizens to accompany community groups, leaders, and activists who suffer threats and intimidation because of their efforts to combat corruption and injustice in Guatemala. G.A.P. accompaniers provide direct support and a link to the international community by serving as independent observers to meetings, demonstrations, and judicial proceedings. If you are particularly concerned about violence against journalists and human rights defenders in post-coup Honduras, the Friendship Office of the Americas offers similar accompaniment opportunities in that country. Another organization working to protect human rights activists is Peace Brigades International (PBI). PBI holds human rights accompaniment teams in Colombia, Mexico, and Guatemala. Those who have made a commitment to serve in Latin America as accompaniers to human rights activists have found it to be a life-changing experience.

Educate using History From Below
Whether you are a classroom teacher, a student concerned about how your history class is being taught, a parent with children in the school system, or anyone else interested in affecting how young people learn U.S. history, you can join in the effort to promote "history from below." The Zinn Education Project attempts to bring Howard Zinn's approach to emphasizing the role of popular struggle in history to a new generation. It also works to use Zinn's classic book, A People's History of the United States, to transform the teaching of American history. Those in the Washington D.C. area can volunteer directly with the Zinn Education Project and help to identify critical resources that can be used in schools. If you are an educator, you can aid the project by sharing information about how you have been able to use A People's History of the United States, or you can join with other teachers in developing strategies for implementing progressive curricula. Click here to learn more.

Share Hip-Hop and Street Art with Brazil's Inner City Communities

If you are passionate about helping put an end to the overwhelming violence in Brazil's urban slums, we have identified a number of groups with which you can join to make a meaningful contribution. You can volunteer with Central Única das Favelas (CUFA), co-founded by Brazilian rapper and community advocate MV Bill, by working with kids in one of their regional branches. CUFA’s work centers on engaging youths in positive endeavors, and they especially welcome individuals who have experience in teaching music, art, and sports. CUFA's success in discouraging youth from violence and encouraging urban arts has led them to open a branch in each of Brazil's states, as well in 11 other countries. If you are looking to work directly in inner city areas in the United States, you can join CUFA USA volunteers in using street art, hip-hop, filmmaking, and other arts to engage young people in positive, creative endeavors.

Support Those Who Sail to Break the Siege of Gaza
Cultures of Resistance works in partnership with a number of groups that are standing in solidarity with Palestinians suffering under a continued occupation of Gaza. One of the most highly publicized techniques used to break the siege has been sending humanitarian aid ships to directly deliver much-needed supplies Gaza. On May 31, 2010, the Israeli navy attacked one of these ships, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers. The incident galvanized international outrage. In its wake the Israeli government agreed to ease the blockade. However, they are still severely restricting the movement of people and of reconstruction materials. You can get involved in this issue in several ways. First, you can invite a passenger from one of the past Flotillas to speak in your community about the situation in Gaza and their experience at sea. Those who have already been involved in campaigns around the issue who feel prepared to face the risks associated with direct action can also get involved directly with the Free Gaza Movement (FGM), which has brought international observers, journalists, and concerned citizens to Gaza since 2008. In the wake of the Freedom Flotilla, FGM continues to strategize about effective ways to advance the human rights movement through direct action.

Use the Power of Laughter in Areas of Conflict

If you are an entertainer who wants to use your powers of laughter to improve the lives of those living in crisis situations, you can join with Clowns Without Borders in countries around the world, including Haiti, Colombia, and Palestine. You can volunteer with other performers in helping to address the psychosocial needs of people caught in conflict. Clowns Without Borders tours usually involve groups of 3-4 volunteers who perform comedy shows, magic tricks, and acrobatics, and who also teach children how to perform some tricks of their own. Entertainers can get involved by traveling as part of a performance group or can take part in planning awareness-raising events that educate people about the various crises occurring daily around the world. Click here to find out how you can use the power of laughter to ease the trauma of conflict overseas.

Battle for Indigenous Rights in Brazil
If you are passionate about indigenous rights, check out Cultures of Resistance's short film "The Battle for the Xingu." The film is about indigenous Kayapó opposition to the Brazilian government’s proposed Belo Monte Dam on the Xingu River in the Amazon. The dam would have a disastrous impact on the Kayapó homeland. You can learn more about the Kayapó struggle thanks to Cultures of Resistance ally International Rivers, a group that works to encourage more efficient ways of meeting the world’s water and energy needs, which is hosting screenings and discussions of the film. International Rivers offers opportunities for volunteers to take action in solidarity with the Kayapó people. Furthermore, if "The Battle of the Xingu" is not playing near you, we can help you to schedule and host a screening in your hometown. Whether at a house party, on a college campus, or at a neighborhood cinema, Cultures of Resistance can help you to arrange the event and set up a call-in Q&A with one of the filmmakers. If you are interested, please get in touch here or email us at info@culturesofresistance.org.

Defend the Grassroots Pro-Democracy Movement in Iran

In the summer of 2009 the pro-democracy activists of Iran drew the attention of the world, showing that there is a vibrant, broad-based movement calling for free and fair elections. Cultures of Resistance endorses efforts to peacefully support citizen diplomacy while opposing hostility on the part of the Washington establishment that is threatening more violence. If you would like to be involved in opposing war and promoting democracy, we have identified a number of leading groups that offer various opportunities to take action. Peace Action, the largest grassroots peace network in the United States, has circulated a petition that urges top government officials to take any necessary steps to avoid escalation and reach a peaceful resolution with Iran. Beyond this, you can also join their network and receive action alerts about opportunities to join with other concerned citizens in demonstrations near your community to demand diplomacy over aggression. The Campaign Against Sanctions and Military Intervention in Iran (CASMII) brings together people of all ideologies to oppose military intervention with Iran. They can provide you with the tools and advice you will need to bring an expert speaker to your community for a public educational event. If you are an Iranian-American and would like to make your voice heard, the National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a leading advocacy group that calls for more diplomatic relations with Iran, and offers workshops in communities around the U.S. By organizing or attending a workshop, you can learn about letter-writing, framing, and other ways to effectively influence their elected representatives. To learn more about the state of foreign policy toward Iran and how to join others in calling for more peaceful relations, click here to visit our issue page.

Intern to Enforce International Law in Thailand, Ecuador, and Nigeria
If you want to support legal campaigners who are developing cutting-edge strategies to enforce international law, join with CoR partners the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) and EarthRights International. Both organizations’ legal experts worked with grassroots activists for nearly a decade and a half on a lawsuit against the oil giant Royal Dutch Shell, which they charged was complicit in widespread human rights abuses in the Niger River Delta. This work culminated in 2009 in the landmark settlement of the Wiwa v. Shell case, which created a $15.5 million fund to compensate the 10 plaintiffs and to create the Kiisi (Progress) Trust. Building on this victory and challenging other corporate abuses, EarthRights International is pursuing numerous international lawsuits against Chevron for the contamination of the environment in the Ecuadorean and Peruvian Amazon. CCR continues its work with initiatives ranging from lawsuits against private military contractors in Iraq to defending free speech worldwide. Those interested in joining their efforts can apply for internships at both organizations' international offices. At CCR current law students can get first-hand experience in the international legal process through the Ella Baker Summer Internship Program, providing direct assistance to attorneys working on these historic cases. High school and undergraduate students can also apply for internships throughout the year. EarthRights International offers legal internships for law students and program internships for graduate and undergraduate students at its U.S. and Thailand offices. Click here to visit our issue page, where you can learn more about the Shell case and how to get involved in this and other international law campaigns.

Use the Power of Poetry to Promote Peace
If you are a poet or an artist looking for ways to join creative movements against armed conflict and oppression, D.C. Poets Against War is a volunteer-run group that encourages you to get involved in organizing public poetry readings. For those in the Washington D.C. area, you can join with other artists in each step along the way in planning a reading to help amplify the voice of like-minded citizens through the universal language of poetry. Visit their site or contact CoR if you have any additional questions.

Raise Awareness about Contemporary Slavery
Although we think of slavery as a thing of the past, the truth is that millions of men, women, and children remain enslaved throughout the world. Today, campus activists are playing a key role in working to stop modern-day slavery, with recent campaigns focusing on efforts in Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and Sudan. If you are a student and would like to take a stand on this issue, Anti-Slavery International provides step-by-step guidance on how to start an anti-slavery group at your school or university. They can help you become a campus leader on this issue and assist you by organizing speaking events featuring international activists or former victims of slavery. They can also plug you into the national effort to lobby against slavery and link you with other campus groups that are a part of a broader movement. If you are not a student, other opportunities exist. Anti-Slavery International’s current Breaking the Silence Campaign provides teachers with advice and support materials, including lesson plans, classroom activities, and informational resources, to assist you in accurately teaching the historical importance of slavery and why it is still relevant today. If you are not in the classroom, Anti-Slavery International offers the tools to establish your own anti-slavery group and can help you organize awareness-raising events in your local community. Click here to learn more about contemporary slavery.

Join in the Campaign to Ban Cluster Bombs
The international campaign to ban cluster bombs recently achieved a historic victory that no one thought was possible, and it is now pushing forward for even larger gains. In February 2010, when Burkina Faso and Moldova ratified the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the treaty reached the 30 ratifications necessary to enter into force; the agreement to ban these indiscriminate and inhumane weapons became binding international law on August 1, 2010. However, critical work remains to be done. The United States and other major military powers have not yet signed or ratified the Convention. The Cluster Munitions Coalition needs your help to pressure these governments to accept and adopt the provisions set forth in the treaty. You can help to build a social movement that is changing international law by joining in this campaign. A first step is to find out what your country is doing to ban cluster bombs and whether it has signed on to the international treaty to ban them. With the help of the Coalition, you can go further by organizing an educational event, giving a presentation to your school, church, community, or workplace, or fundraising for a safer world for all. Click here to visit our issue page, where you can watch our short film about the campaign to ban cluster munitions.

Help Sustain the Rehabilitation of Child Soldiers
In many regions of the world, but particularly in Africa, children as young as nine years of age are being forcefully recruited and made to fight in armed conflicts, robbing them of their adolescence and leaving deep emotional scars even after the conflicts have ended. You can make a personal impact by sponsoring the rescue and rehabilitation of a former child soldier. Child Soldiers International has several recommendations of programs that help child soldiers recover from their wounds. Because girls are often victim to increased stigmatization and rejection by their home communities, the organization also emphasizes the importance of gender-focused rehabilitation programs. Through the Zion Project's sponsorship program, you can provide vital assistance in addressing the urgent needs of rescued girls, including rape counseling, parenting skills, and HIV/AIDS education. Beyond supporting an individual child, you can join Child Soldiers International on Facebook and connect with others creating political pressure to end the use of child soldiers. Currently, activists affiliated with the organization are writing key UN ambassadors to turn up the heat on the 61 countries that have yet to ratify the United Nations child soldiers treaty. Click here to learn more about the campaign to end the use of child soldiers.

Teach Capoeira in Refugee Camps

Capoeira, a Brazilian dance sport of athletic skills and acrobatic technique, was first developed by slaves on Brazil’s plantations. It is believed that, in an attempt to remain ready for possible rebellions, slaves disguised African fighting techniques as dances rituals. Groups such as CapoeirArab, which appear in the CoR feature documentary, have adapted capoeira’s legacy of performance and cultural resistance to help address the needs of people who today are refused their freedom of movement, such as Iraqis living in Syrian refugee camps. The art form’s performance circles, music, and ritualized “fighting” has helped build a sense of community, personal dignity, and a brief escape from the challenges of life in the refugee camps. If you are looking for ways to use capoeira as a means of peace and justice, take a look to see if any of the groups on our list operate in your community. If you are a teacher, advanced student, or have other capoeira experience, please contact us here or send us an email to discuss how you can get involved in reviving the dance's role as an active form of cultural resistance.