Effective democratic resistance requires practical tools, training, and resources. Rather than starting from scratch, activists can access professionally developed materials from established organizations committed to nonviolent, constitutional democracy. This directory points you to trusted sources for protest safety, digital security, legal rights, organizing skills, and sustainable activism practices.
All organizations listed here are committed to nonviolent resistance and constitutional democracy. They have track records of effective organizing while maintaining legal and ethical standards.
This is only partially curated. If you have additional suggestions or a resource is now sour or defunct, feel free to contact me.
Legal Rights and Safety Resources
Know Your Rights Training
ACLU – Know Your Rights
- Website: aclu.org/know-your-rights
- Resources: Comprehensive guides for police encounters, protests, immigration stops, digital privacy
- Materials: Downloadable pocket cards, video guides, state-specific information
- Why This Source: ACLU has decades of legal expertise and constitutional focus
National Lawyers Guild – Legal Observer Training
- Website: nlg.org/massdefenseprogram/los/
- Resources: Training materials for documenting police misconduct, protest safety, jail support
- Materials: Legal observer handbooks, training videos, local chapter contacts
- Why This Source: Specializes in protest law and activist legal support
Electronic Frontier Foundation – Digital Rights
- Website: eff.org/issues/security
- Resources: Digital security guides, surveillance self-defense, privacy tools
- Materials: Step-by-step security tutorials, recommended software, threat modeling
- Why This Source: Leading digital rights organization with technical expertise
Emergency Legal Contacts
- Website: communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-directory
- Resources: Directory of local bail funds, emergency contact information
- Materials: State-by-state bail fund listings, donation information
- Why This Source: Coordinates legitimate bail fund organizations nationwide
Immigration Legal Hotlines
- United We Dream Hotline: unitedwedream.org/about/contact
- RAICES Hotline: raicestexas.org/legal-hotline
- Resources: 24/7 legal support for immigration encounters
- Why These Sources: Established immigrant rights organizations with legal expertise
Digital Security and Communications
Secure Communication Setup
Security in a Box – Digital Security Toolkit
- Website: securityinabox.org
- Resources: Comprehensive digital security training for activists
- Materials: Step-by-step guides for secure communication, data protection
- Why This Source: Developed by human rights organizations for activist security
Signal Foundation – Secure Messaging
- Website: signal.org
- Resources: Free encrypted messaging app, security best practices
- Materials: Installation guides, security settings explanations
- Why This Source: Open-source, recommended by security experts worldwide
Tor Project – Anonymous Browsing
- Website: torproject.org
- Resources: Anonymous internet browsing, circumventing surveillance
- Materials: Browser download, usage guides, security tips
- Why This Source: Nonprofit focused on privacy rights and freedom of information
Social Media Security
If you have a resource tell me.
Community Organizing and Event Planning
Meeting Facilitation and Group Process
- Website: trainingforchange.org
- Resources: Workshop facilitation, consensus decision-making, conflict resolution
- Materials: Free training manuals, video tutorials, facilitation guides
- Why This Source: Decades of experience training grassroots organizers
Seeds for Change – Consensus Training
- Website: seedsforchange.org.uk
- Resources: Consensus decision-making guides, meeting facilitation tools
- Materials: Downloadable handbooks, workshop outlines, conflict resolution guides
- Why This Source: Specialized in participatory democracy and cooperative organizing
Event Planning and Protest Organization
Midwest Academy – Direct Action Training
- Website: midwestacademy.com
- Resources: Strategic campaign planning, action organizing, power analysis
- Materials: Training workshops, strategic planning tools
- Why This Source: Premier training institute for progressive organizing
Beautiful Trouble – Creative Resistance
- Website: beautifultrouble.org
- Resources: Creative protest tactics, strategic nonviolence, campaign planning
- Materials: Tactic library, case studies, planning tools
- Why This Source: Innovative approaches to nonviolent resistance and creative protest
Coalition Building
National Council of Nonprofits – Coalition Building
- Website: councilofnonprofits.org
- Resources: Guides for building effective coalitions, partnership agreements
- Materials: Templates, best practices, legal considerations
- Why This Source: Represents nonprofit sector with practical organizing experience
Media and Communications
Media Relations and Messaging
Center for Community Change – Media Training
- Website: communitychange.org
- Resources: Grassroots media training, storytelling for organizers
- Materials: Media toolkits, training workshops, messaging guides
- Why This Source: Focuses on amplifying community voices and grassroots stories
Rapid Response Communications
Indivisible – Rapid Response Tools
- Website: indivisible.org/resource
- Resources: Template press releases, social media graphics, action alerts
- Materials: Customizable materials for local groups, messaging toolkits
- Why This Source: Proven track record in grassroots resistance organizing
Nonviolent Direct Action Training
Civil Disobedience Preparation
Pace e Bene – Nonviolence Training
- Website: paceebene.org
- Resources: Nonviolent direct action training, civil disobedience preparation
- Materials: Training manuals, workshop curricula, philosophical foundations
- Why This Source: Decades of experience in nonviolence training and philosophy
Ruckus Society – Direct Action Training
- Website: ruckus.org
- Resources: Action training camps, nonviolent direct action skills
- Materials: Training resources, action planning tools, safety protocols
- Why This Source: Specializes in training activists for effective direct action
De-escalation and Conflict Resolution
- Website: https://everydaypeacebuilding.com/nonviolent-resistance/
- Resources: A list of 10 sites with De-escalation training, nonviolent conflict resolution
- Materials: Training workshops, intervention techniques
- Why This Source: Focus on practical nonviolent resistance skills
Research and Opposition Research
Public Records and Transparency
Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press – Open Government Guide
- Website: rcfp.org/open-government-guide
- Resources: State-by-state guide to public records laws, FOIA requests
- Materials: Legal guides, request templates, appeals processes
- Why This Source: Press freedom organization with legal expertise
MuckRock – Public Records Requests
- Website: muckrock.com
- Resources: Platform for filing public records requests, tracking responses
- Materials: Request templates, legal guidance, collaborative investigations
- Why This Source: Transparency-focused platform with activist community
Campaign Finance and Corporate Research
Center for Responsive Politics (OpenSecrets)
- Website: opensecrets.org
- Resources: Campaign finance databases, lobbying disclosure, corporate influence tracking
- Materials: Database searches, research tools, analysis guides
- Why This Source: Nonpartisan organization tracking money in politics
LittleSis – Corporate Power Mapping
- Website: littlesis.org
- Resources: Database of powerful people and organizations, relationship mapping
- Materials: Research tools, network analysis, power structure mapping
- Why This Source: Grassroots research tool for understanding power structures
Technology for Organizing
Event and Campaign Management
- Website: actionnetwork.org
- Resources: Free organizing tools for progressive campaigns
- Materials: Event management, email lists, donation processing, volunteer coordination
- Why This Source: Built specifically for progressive organizing with strong security
- Website: controlshiftlabs.com
- Fees involved
- Resources: Distributed organizing platform, local group coordination
- Materials: Campaign tools, local chapter management, action coordination
- Why This Source: Designed for decentralized movement organizing
Secure Group Communication
- Website: riseup.net
- Invitation required
- Resources: Secure email lists, group collaboration tools
- Materials: Encrypted mailing lists, file sharing, meeting coordination
- Why This Source: Activist-run collective focused on movement security
Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Response
Crisis Planning for Activists
- Website: movementstrategy.org
- Resources: Strategic planning for social movements, crisis response planning
- Materials: Planning guides, scenario planning tools, resilience building
- Why This Source: Focuses on long-term movement sustainability and strategic thinking
Showing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ)
- Website: surj.org
- Resources: Community defense organizing, crisis response coordination
- Materials: Training materials, action guides, community safety protocols
- Why This Source: Experienced in community defense and crisis response organizing
How to Use This Directory
- Start with your immediate needs: Legal rights, digital security, or organizing skills
- Visit 2-3 recommended websites to compare approaches and resources
- Download or bookmark key materials for quick reference
- Take advantage of free training opportunities offered by these organizations
- Connect with local chapters of national organizations when available
- Share resources with your activist network and local groups
Important Notes
- Though all of these resources are steered towards grassroots activists, not all the resources are entirely free.
- Organizations chosen for nonviolent, democratic approach to social change
- Many offer training workshops in addition to online materials
- Local chapters often provide in-person support and community connections
- Resources are regularly updated by source organizations
