In solidarity with the national shutdown called in Minneapolis, those of us who live elsewhere were called to join the Fri, Jan. 30th National Shutdown and all future collective actions/ The "economic blackout" encourages people to avoid work, school, and shopping for the day to demonstrate opposition to federal immigration enforcement tactics that are violent, dehumanizing, and deadly. This means to turn our back on the war economy and make visible the peace economy where we can. In some cities, there will be rallies, but in others, you will need to create your own response. This national shutdown is essential in building a movement of love and care of people in response to 250 years of genocide, slavery, exploitation, and dehumanization.Â
Pledge to join future shutdowns! Grab our flyers!
The peace economy is how we care for each other in community with creativity, generosity, and kindness as we build trust and connection. It is what we are cultivating as the war economy fails. Walking away from the war economy means refusing its demand that you remain isolated and disposable. It means becoming the kind of person others can depend on and building the relationships that make mutual survival possible. This is not a lifestyle change — it's a fundamental reorientation of values and accountability. We understand that no one is coming to save us and that we must look out for one another. That means sharing resources, using our skills to meet the needs of others, and making collective decisions about shared outcomes that affect our communities. People are already doing this work across the country. You don’t have to start from scratch. Reach out to those doing this work near you and be in service of something larger than yourself.Â
How do I find those serving the community where I live? Use the Local Peace Economy website to search for organizations in your local community.
Every local community is unique, so the Local Peace Economy will look different depending on where you live. Use your creativity and community connections to find what is near you. Send photos of what you do on Friday to your CODEPINK regional coordinator so we can share to inspire others.
We start with food. The most immediate need is always a good place to start.Â
- Join a local mutual aid group. This can be as simple as a local church soup kitchen, organizations like Food Not Bombs, or neighborhood-based food pantries. These are available in most neighborhoods and distribute food and other essential supplies to those in need. They always need help and donations. Consider spending your day helping others.
- Seek out other alternatives to the grocery store, such as community gardens, urban farms, and CSAs. Volunteer your time with these organizations. Even in the winter, food is being produced by some farms in greenhouses and indoors, and help is needed year-round to grow it and distribute it to the most vulnerable in our neighborhoods. Reach out to your local farms and ask if you can be of service to them.
- Mutual aid is not just about food — it can be almost anything: bike shares, tool lending libraries, energy collectives, babysitting networks, artist support, etc. All mutual aid groups need volunteers, and by volunteering and supporting their mission, you might just make friends and grow your community in the process.
- If you are worried about your debts during a national shutdown, join The Debt Collective.Â
- Invite your friends and neighbors to gather to meet the moment. Being together is how we take care of the community now. The chaos and violence are meant to affect us deeply. They are traumatizing, except if we engage together which reveals the lies at the core of the violence and the beauty of our neighbor and the connection and care of life. Stay related to those around you, listen to needs, and discover together what can be created from right where you are. Start small and then reach out and expand your circle.Â
- Connect with your community and hold a gifts & needs circle to make visible what people can offer and what people need. This allows us all to find new ways to learn about ourselves and others; sharing is a nourishing experience for everyone. When we tap into our community resources, there is no need to shop!
- Bring your imagination and creativity. Meeting violence with beauty disarms it and those who are abused by it. A choir, puppets, theatrical costumes, street art, surprises on telephone poles. Communicate with the forms of creativity you bring to life with others. At CODEPINK, our motto is to be disarming. Find ways to bring humor, creativity, and joy to resistance.