Movement Ecology in Times of Crisis

3 min readApr 3, 2020

Bus drivers in Detroit go on strike and win protections. This bus driver wears protective gear to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Credit…Seth Herald/Agence France-Presse

In this moment we’re seeing various organizations and individuals responding to the crisis and making demands for paid-leave, universal basic income, rent freezes, and more. We’re seeing workers striking so that they can have basic protections to work during this crisis. We’re also seeing community members and groups hosting various online meet-ups to support people who are staying inside.

On Tuesday, March 31st we hosted Movement Ecology in Times of Crisis because as we’re being pulled in so many directions, it’s important to understand how these responses relate to each other and distinguish what is most supportive towards an effective multi-strategic response.

Below is the recording and links to various resources (for the most up to date information follow bit.ly/MECrisisResources). We hope you find them helpful in this time.

Movement Ecology Supplemental Readings

“Should we fight the system or be the change” in Waging Nonviolence by Mark and Paul Engler
“Gandhi’s strategy for success — use more than one strategy” in Waging Nonviolence by Mark and Paul Engler
Ayni Institute’s Funding Social Movements Guide by Paul Engler, Sophie Lasoff and Carlos Saavedra

Examples: Responses in this moment according to Theory of Change

Personal Transformation:

covidrangers.com — “Guides for volunteers supporting medical professionals with care mask covers”
Homes schooling resources during the pandemic: NY Times, Today Show
“These Organizations Are Helping People Get Food And Medical Help During The Coronavirus Pandemic” in Buzzfeed by Tasneem Nashrulla

Alternatives:

Time banks — https://timebanks.org “Timebanking is a time-based currency. Give one hour of service to another, and receive one time credit. You can use the credits in turn to receive services — or you can donate them to others. An hour of service is always one time credit regardless of the nature of the service performed.”
Local mutual aid networks — List of Local Mutual Aid efforts, Map of networks
Mental health support during the virus: https://www.virusanxiety.com

More on Mutual Aid! “Coming together as a community to meet our needs collectively”
“Amid the coronavirus crisis, mutual aid networks erupt across the country” in Waging Nonviolence by Shane Burley
Ayni Institute Webinar recording bit.ly/MutualAidVideo & Resource List bit.ly/MutualAidResources

Inside Game:

People’s Bailout — https://thepeoplesbailout.org
Bernie Campaign’s Emergency Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

Structure Organizing:

City Life, Vida Urbana organizing on Housing — http://www.clvu.org/covid19
UFCW union organizing — http://www.ufcw.org/coronavirus
People’s Action a “national network of state & local grassroots power-building organizations” — https://peoplesaction.org/

Mass Protest:

Wildcat strikes: Perdue farms on 3/24/20, Sanitation workers on 3/26/20
Instacart, Amazon worker strike on 3/31/20: BBC, US News
Thursdays at 8pm clapping for care workers in UK: Independent

More on Advocacy! “Demanding from government (state) and companies (market) to meet our needs in this moment”
Resources for organizers, campaigners and digital strategists to respond to coronavirus by PowerLabs
#SolidarityAt8 Facebook group
M4BL National Demands website