Green, Yellow, Red

Green activities are things expected be safe. From No Kings! protests to calling your Senator, we specialize in green actions. This is where nearly all activists start. Enormous changes happens in the green zone. Arguably, no real change happens without massive non-violent participation. (See the 3.5% rule for some reasons.)

Yellow actions don’t seek confrontation, but the odds of violence or arrest are real. Examples include resisting at sites known for federal escalation, like ICE detention centers, or confronting ICE agents directly. You’re not looking for trouble, but it might find you.

Red actions plan for violence or arrest. They include civil disobedience like Rosa Parks defying an immoral segregation law, as well as all forms of monkey-wrenching and violent resistance.

Our philosophy

Erica Chenoweth’s research tells us that throughout the last century, mass non-violent resistance has worked more often than any other tactic to overthrow authoritarians. It is also the most likely path back to democracy. While military coups do sometimes oust dictators, those who use violence to gain power won’t necessarily yield it to democratic processes. For these reasons we are dedicated to growing resistance as broadly as possible, utilizing non-violent tactics. Democracy is the power of the people. The people have to secure it. Scientific research tells us we do that through sustained, non-violent resistance by masses of ordinary people. Every path requires a first step, and that’s where this site comes in: we want to help you start walking.

For that reason, nearly all our actions are green: safe, legal things you can do with no background in activism. We will rarely include yellow actions, clearly marked, usually with green support actions called out.

Non-violence doesn’t end with green actions, though. Gandhi led his followers directly into a police beat-down. The images shook the world. MLK, JR. organized the Children’s March and police turned dogs and firehoses on kids as young as nine. Organizers were not surprised. Rosa Parks broke the law when she refused to stand up from her bus seat, and so did every German who slipped a potato to a Jewish prisoner. The legality and safety of our actions is dependent on the brutality and control of the regime we oppose, not the morality of our own choices. Non-violent action encompasses a wide range. For a modern example of radical, rude but non-violent resistance to totalitarianism, we recommend Read & Riot : A Pussy Riot Guide to Activism by Nadya Tolokonnikova.

We cannot guarantee that what is safe and legal today will remain so, but we do not comply in advance. (Timothy Snyder’s Rule #1 for fighting fascism.) We do know that the more of us who stand bravely now, the safer we all are. ICE runs from large crowds, but detains individuals. There is power and security in numbers, and our best chance for a safe tomorrow is a courageous stand today.

Conversely, if we fail to stop them, your compliance now will not protect you later. Authoritarian leaders have no loyalty. Not even their own inner circle is safe — consider the epidemic of Putin associates who fall from high-up windows. A totalitarian’s demands increase to consume everything. You will not be able to comply enthusiastically enough. Stand together now, and prevent that dystopian future.

Finally, a word on violent resistance: we are ambivalent. We can hardly condemn those who blew up Nazi headquarters, destroying lists of Jews marked for death, nor those who helped fleeing slaves in the U.S. escape armed patrols. “To save one life is as to save the world.” We also know those actions were insufficient to end slavery or stop Hitler’s march. We encourage you to find the path that suits you, choosing from issues and tactics in ways that uniquely tap your talents. To quote a Black activist we know: “Keep your eyes on your own homework.“

For more on the research into non-violent resistance, we recommend Erica Chenoweth’s TED talk (8 minutes):

We focus on green actions because nearly all activists begin with non-violent, legal resistance. Many remain in green actions forever and that is valid. Research tells us that when 3.5% of a population rises, authoritarians fall. It also suggests that the best path to democratic norms is through massive, non-violent resistance, not military coups or guerrilla wars.

At the same time, we believe yellow and red actions have their place in activism, and certainly within resistance. When they make it illegal to feed your neighbor, moral people break the law. The risks rise and fewer people participate as a regime cracks down to make even basic, moral actions suspect or outlawed. Those with a history of participation are far more likely to continue doing these basic, essential, community-building tasks.

Green actions have changed the world, but keep an action green is not entirely within our control. Protests outside ICE facilities are a modern example of how fascists can shift legal, non-violent actions from green to yellow. Because green actions can turn yellow without activist’s consent, we sometimes include a yellow warning label. These are actions which are (or should be) legal and safe, but have potential for authoritarian escalation. As of October 27th 2025, ICE resistance is the primary example. Whenever possible, we call out green sub-tasks within yellow activities. For example, you might design flyers or sew costumes for someone willing to take greater risks than you can.

Red actions anticipate or even rely on legal or violent retailation. When Rosa Parks refused to yield her seat, her arrest was expected and necessary. There was extensive planning before and after her arrest. Successful Red actions are characterized by strong organizing skills and trusted allies. Many people think all activism inevitably leads here, because Hollywood loves a dramatic scene. We believe that Red actions take preparation and training and are not suitable for new activists. If you are interested in moving towards red actions, we recommend Read & Riot : A Pussy Riot Guide to Activism by Nadya Tolokonnikova for a sense of what that life looks like.

We believe green actions are essential to building the broad resistance that can restore democracy. Research tells us that when authoritarians become sufficiently established, all resistance becomes illegal. If enough of us take action today, we can stop them.

A note on non-violence: if it isn’t clear above, not all non-violent resistance is legal, or safe. Gandi led his followers into police attacks, and MLK Jr. organized the children’s march. These were both actions that were deeply non-violent on the part of the participants, but with a high (and realized) risk of state violence. It is for this reason we embrace “yes, and” for resistance. A Black organizer we know phrases this “Keep your eyes on your own homework.” We discourage moralizing with others marching in the same direction, even if their cadence may differ from our own. We welcome all sincere efforts.