Suggested Activities for a New Group

The big question that always comes up once a new ABC group starts is what now? If you've got a voicemail, box, etc., how does a new ABC get people involved or become active locally? A few ideas that have been used in the past:

• Political film showings. A biweekly or monthly film showing can be done anyplace there's a TV and VCR and films can be theatrical (i.e. In The Name of the Father) or documentaries. (from Independent Media Center films to those from AK Press to Cascadia Media Collective to even a bookseller). Some good films that can be purchased online or swapped with another ABC: Passin' It On, speeches by Mumia Abu-Jamal, Zapatista!, US Off the Planet: An Evening in Eugene with Ward Churchill and Chellis Glendinning, A Year In The Streets, The FBI's War on Black America and Slam! You'd be amazed how well these can go. Films should always be free, but accept donations by all means. A good fundraiser! You can also team up with other local groups (thereby doubling your promotional help) to use these as joint fundraisers.

• Poetry Not Prisons. Gather up some local poets and musicians for verse on creating a better world.

• Benefit shows. A good opportunity to educate and entertain.

• Letterwriting Party. Invite people out for a night of music, coffee and writing letters for emergency actions.

• Teach-In. Invite a speaker to come address your group on a given issue.

• Build a common front. Groups like Food Not Bombs, Anti-Racist Action and other street level groups are addressing symptoms of criminalization. Where can you unite? Network and get connected.

• Reading groups. Pick pamphlets to read with others and discuss how they apply to your work.

• Protests. For March 15's international day against police brutality, Prison Reform Unity Day or other special date. Make it a festival or a music benefit!

• Support other work locally. Can your ABC group unite with an area grassroots anti-poverty organization? Or a prisoners' families support group? Or an indigenous/Third World solidarity group? How can your group support and ally with that effort?

This is just a start! What has your group done? Let us know so it can go here.

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