How We Win

A Guide to Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning

A lifetime of activist experience from a civil rights legend informs this playbook for building and conducting nonviolent direct action campaigns

In an era of massive worldwide protests for racial and economic justice, it is important to remember that marching is only one way to take to the streets. Protest must be supplemented with the sustained direct action campaigns that are crucial to winning major reforms.

Beginning as a trainer in the civil rights movement of the 1960s, George Lakey has spent decades helping direct action tactics flourish and succeed on the front lines of social change. Now, in this timely and down-to-earth guide, he passes the torch to a new generation of activists. Lakey looks to successful campaigns across the world to help us see what has worked, what hasn’t, and why: from choosing the right target to designing a creative campaign; from avoiding burnout within your group to building a movement of movements to achieve real progressive victories.

Drawing on the experiences of a diverse set of ambitious change-makers, How We Win shows us the way to justice, peace, and a sustainable economy. This is what democracy looks like.

GEORGE LAKEY has been active in direct action campaigns for six decades. Recently retired from Swarthmore College, where he was the Eugene M. Lang Visiting Professor for Issues in Social Change, Lakey was arrested for the first time at a civil rights demonstration in March 1963, and most recently on March 29, 2018 in the Power Local Green Jobs Campaign. He lives in Philadelphia.

“If you want to be a soldier, you can go to West Point. If you want to be a nonviolent change-maker — well, this is an awfully good place to start. George Lakey has been near the center of American resistance for decades, and so he has both remarkable stories and remarkable insights — not to mention some remarkable colleagues who add their perspective to this necessary manual!” –Bill McKibben, co-founder of 350.org

“Hard-won advice for community organizers…Clear, encouraging, and potentially empowering.” – Kirkus Review

“Inspiring stories of effective, successful campaigning…. I recommend George Lakey’s How We Win.” – Peace News

“Essential reading for anyone who seeks to contribute meaningfully to social movements… Reading it will be well worth your time. Applying its insights is even more useful.” – Friends Journal

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