A Civilian's Guide to Direct Action (PDF)

What It Is, What It's Good For, How It Works

Direct action, simply put, means cutting out the middleman—solving problems yourself rather than petitioning the authorities or relying on external institutions. Any action that sidesteps regulations and representation to accomplish goals directly is direct action.

In a society in which political power, economic capital, and social control are centralized in the hands of an elite, certain forms of direct action are discouraged, to say the least. These forms are of particular interest
to those who struggle against hierarchy and oppression.

There are countless scenarios in which you might want to use this kind of direct action. Perhaps representatives of despicable multinational corporations are invading your town to hold a summit, and you want to participate in protests against them as more than just another body holding a sign; perhaps they’ve been there a long time, operating franchises that exploit workers and ravage the environment, and you want to draw attention to or hinder their misdeeds; perhaps you want to organize a festive, community-oriented event such as a street party. Direct action can plant a public garden in an abandoned lot or defend it by paralyzing bulldozers; it can be used to occupy empty buildings to house the homeless or to shut down government offices. Whether you’re acting in secret with a trusted friend or in a mass action with thousands of others, the basic elements are the same.

Direct Action in a Nutshell: A Step By Step Guide