Activist Tools
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Develop Campaigns

Set your goal: The goal needs to be something your group can accomplish. “Achieving justice in Guatemala” is not an appropriate goal for a campaign; it’s too broad. “Ensure the U.S. doesn’t provide military training to Guatemala this year,” however, is an appropriate, manageable goal that will likely advance justice in Guatemala. When selecting your goal, don’t forget to assess current public opinion on the subject, the intensity of the need, and the opportunities that exist for success.

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Organize Locally

Ask local activist groups that don't deal directly with Guatemala if you can speak briefly at their next meeting. If you have local chapters of Amnesty International, local immigrant organizations, and other groups that may have an interest in Guatemala, see if you can come and speak to them about a specific action that you are working on. Most groups are more than happy to give other activists a few minutes to discuss a new topic.

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Fundraise Locally

With 4 or 5 friends, have a spaghetti dinner at a church or union hall or other big room with a large kitchen. Charge $10 per person and feed more than 50 people. You can charge extra for wine or garlic bread, or for dessert. Try to make the event educational or cultural by having artists or musicians to perform.

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Legislative Work

NISGUA works on a variety of legislative and policy issues, such as maintaining a ban on U.S. military aid to Guatemala, closing the School of the Americas/WHISC, declassifying U.S. government documents, and maintaining a United Nations presence in Guatemala. Activists, local committees, Sponsoring Communities, and returned accompaniers play a vital role in NISGUA's advocacy efforts by meeting with, writing, and calling their members of Congress.

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Reach the Media

When Guatemalan civil society actors who strive for a more open, democratic, and equitable society encounter intimidation or violence due to their efforts, activists in the U.S. can help. Find out what YOU can do.

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Mobilize Students

If your campus does not already have a student group that works for just and humane U.S. policies toward Latin America, now is the time to start one! Student organizations can host speakers, organize rallies and campaigns, and distribute information to the university community – efforts that help raise awareness and get others involved. College students also represent a significant, but often overlooked, voting base. Your group can organize visits with your members of Congress in their district or state offices, spearhead letter-writing campaigns to representatives and senators, and develop other Congress-focused activities.

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Public Speaking

Think about what you want to say. Reflect on your experiences in Guatemala. Some people find it helpful to ask themselves questions such as the following, writing responses in a journal. Useful points for creating your talk may come up.

• Who are people whose voices wouldn’t be heard if you didn’t speak for them?

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Direct Action

Nonviolent action has played a key role in the struggle for social change all over the world. It has a long and proud history, but it is not only something from the past, it lives on in many struggles for freedom, equality and justice.

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