RISE UP
SHUT IT DOWN
A COALITION FOR DEMOCRACY
We’re organizing to protect our democracy. We’re preparing for economic disruption, a national general strike and nonviolent civil disobedience campaign. Join us!
-
How can I help?
Individuals can help in many ways. A few areas include:
OUTREACH: Help our team reach any demographic or group that will make a contribution to the coalition.
MUTUAL AID: Prepare to support strikers who may lose income during the strike.
RALLIES & MARCHES: Organize events leading up to and during the General Strike.
SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS: Help spread the word!
-
The list of demands should reflect our objectives of ensuring free and fair elections and securing our ability to shape our future as a country free of authoritarian rule.
We believe the list of demands must be succinct and reflect those objectives rather than immediately attempting to achieve all of our policy goals if we are to be successful.
This will be a complex discussion; we look forward to engaging in it with our partners. -
Member groups are expected to:
Adhere to our value of nonviolence
Participate in trainings and coalition decision-making as they wish
Promote the coalition to members
Use all channels available to communicate a call to strike/protest in accordance with a coalition-approved communications plan
The strike will only be as strong as our partnerships, locally and nationally. We ask member groups to commit to helping build those partnerships.
-
PDX Strike is a member of USA Strike, a national coalition of union members, activists, artists, faith leaders, business owners, and more who are committed to non-violent, economically disruptive actions across the United States to preserve our democracy.
USA Strike is organizing in major metro areas and beyond to coordinate a strategic general strike readiness and civil disobedience campaign for maximum impact and negotiating power.
We believe we must be organized to defend the midterms and that we must come together to invest in diverse, representative partnerships within our communities.
Our immediate goal is the defense of democracy. Our tools are economic and social disruption. Our eventual goal is a more just, equitable United States that works for all, not just the wealthy and powerful.
-
A General Strike is a coordinated, prolonged refusal to keep society running for the benefit of the ruling class.
It can consist of work stoppages across multiple industriesConsumer boycotts and other economic actions
Rent and loan payment strikes
Mutual aid networks to keep people fed, housed, and supported
Rolling strikes, work-to-rule, slowdowns or sector-specific walkouts
Public disruption (marches, occupations, etc.)
The term “Social Strike” may best fit our effort. The US was born from rebellion against tyranny. Although our democracy has always struggled with equity, the social strike intends to further expand democracy for all. Read more about social strikes, here. -
History shows that General Strikes are:
Sparked by an external event that drives widespread outrage and disgust
Fueled and sustained by planning and preparation
Our job is to prepare for that moment. Throughout our coalition, groups are already analyzing different scenarios, preparing various responses, training for them, and developing rapid communication and mobilization plans.
Ultimately USA Strike will work in collaboration with all partners to determine the best time to strike.
GET IN TOUCH
Ready to join the coalition or have questions? We’d love to hear from you.
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate agitation are men who want crops without plowing the ground.
They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the roar of its mighty waters.”
– Frederick Douglass