"Activism is action on behalf of a cause, action that goes beyond what is conventional or routine. The action might be door-to-door canvassing, alternative radio, public meetings, rallies, or fasting." -Encyclopedia of Activism and Social Justice
"Grassroots organizing refers to the practice of community groups and/or organizations bringing people together to identify and solve social problems that have an impact on the communities that they belong to and/or care about. Grassroots organizing is different from other forms of organizing in that the impetus for action most often emerges from the “bottom-up” and involves regular people, in contrast to “top-down” approaches where the organizing is managed by people and organizations in positions of power."
The Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. — Leaders marching from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, August 28, 1963. Source: Rowland Scherman for USIA, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Women's suffrage protest in front of the White House, 1917. Source: Harris and Ewing, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Gandhi during the Salt March, 1930. Source: Yann, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.
Black Lives Matter graffiti. Source: bmartinseatlle, Pixabay, CC0.
A representative from Mothers Against Drunk Driving speaks to members of the U.S. Air Force about the dangers of drinking and driving. Source: Jennifer Green-Lanchoney, U.S. Air Force, Public Domain.
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This guide was created by Kelsey O'Rourke, MLIS.
