The Ethical Prepper's Guide to Surviving Nazis
Finding Our Strength Together When Things Fall Apart
Hey everyone, it’s Jeff, back from the catacombs beneath Capitol Hill, to share one of the guides I have been working on for my new website. (Let’s all get through this in one piece, okay?)
Lately, I’ve been having a lot of conversations – quiet ones, sometimes hesitant ones – with friends and neighbors. There’s this feeling in the air, isn’t there? A sense of uncertainty, like the ground isn't quite solid beneath our feet. We see the headlines, the political shouting matches, the growing divides in our communities, and it’s easy to feel anxious, maybe even a little isolated. Like we’re trying to walk straight on shifting sands. That feeling… it can push people in different directions. Some folks double down on building higher walls, focusing only on themselves and their immediate family. It’s the "bunker mentality," the kind of cold-hearted individualism that says, "I've got mine, tough luck for everyone else." Honestly, that path feels lonely and, ultimately, fragile. It leaves too many people behind and misses the most powerful resource we actually have: each other. So, what if the answer isn't higher walls, but wider tables? What if preparing for challenging times isn’t about hoarding cans in a basement, but about building connections, sharing skills, and strengthening the bonds within our communities? That’s what I want to talk about today: a different kind of preparedness, one rooted in solidarity, ethics, and a deep belief in the power of community. Think of it less as "prepping" in the stereotypical sense and more as weaving resilience, together. It’s about figuring out how we’ll get by, not just individually, but collectively. Grab a coffee, pull up a chair. Let’s talk, friend to friend, about how we can navigate these uncertain times with open eyes, practical skills, and most importantly, with each other. We’ll look at understanding the landscape we’re in, taking practical steps to prepare ethically, building robust support networks, tending to our own well-being, and keeping our connections safe. It’s a lot, I know, but we can figure it out together.
It Doesn't Always Wear Jackboots: Recognizing the Slow Creep of Authoritarianism
One of the trickiest things about the shifts we're seeing is that they don't always announce themselves with flashing lights and sirens. History teaches us that serious erosions of freedom and democracy often happen gradually, using familiar language and existing systems. Fascism, or tendencies like it, rarely arrives fully formed, shouting its intentions. Instead, it often creeps in, cloaked in words like "patriotism," "security," or "restoring traditional values," while subtly undermining the foundations of an open society. I found the work of the Italian writer Umberto Eco really helpful in understanding this. In his essay "Ur-Fascism," he identified some recurring features – think of them as warning signs – that tend to pop up in different authoritarian movements across history.
Seeing these patterns can help us stay aware:
● A Cult of Tradition: This isn't just about respecting history; it's about glorifying a mythologized, often imaginary past and rejecting progress, critical thinking, or social change as dangerous deviations. Think of slogans that promise a return to a "greatness" that conveniently ignores past injustices.
● Action for Action's Sake: A distrust of reflection and intellectualism, favouring decisive, often impulsive, action over careful deliberation. Experts are dismissed, complexity is ignored, and "strong" leadership, however ill-conceived, is prized.
● Disagreement as Treason: This is a big one. Political opponents aren't just people with different ideas; they're painted as enemies of the nation, traitors, or existential threats. This poisons the well of political discourse and makes compromise impossible.
● Fear of Difference: Exploiting and amplifying the natural human wariness of the unfamiliar. "Outsiders" – defined by race, religion, nationality, sexuality, or political belief – are scapegoated as threats to the "true" people of the nation.
● Appealing to a Frustrated Middle Class: Tapping into the real economic anxieties and fears of social change felt by people who feel squeezed or left behind, offering simplistic explanations and someone to blame.
● Obsession with a Plot: Promoting the idea that the nation is under siege from conspiracies, either by internal enemies (like minorities or political dissidents) or external forces, creating a constant sense of crisis and justifying extreme measures.
● Selective Populism: Where leaders claim to be the sole authentic voice of "the people," bypassing or delegitimizing democratic institutions like courts, legislatures, and the free press.
Eco's list isn't a perfect checklist, but it gives us a language to talk about worrying trends. And frankly, looking around today, it's hard not to see echoes. We see political polarization treated not as disagreement but as a battle for survival. We see the increasing militarization of police forces, blurring the lines between community safety and occupying force, often hitting marginalized communities hardest. We see attempts to erode the independence of crucial institutions like the judiciary, making them tools of political interest. We even see some business elites leaning towards authoritarian stability because it seems more predictable than messy democracy. And perhaps most insidiously, we see manufactured crises or exaggerated threats used to justify "emergency" powers that chip away at our rights. It’s crucial to understand how these movements gain psychological traction. They deliberately cultivate fear and trauma. They amplify threats (real or imagined) to make people feel unsafe, then position themselves as the only ones who can protect them. Traumatic events, like economic downturns or social upheavals, become opportunities to suspend normal rules and grab more power. They encourage distrust between neighbours, because isolated people are easier to control. They take legitimate anxieties – about jobs, about cultural change, about the future – and twist them, offering easy scapegoats instead of addressing complex root causes. Recognizing these patterns isn't about predicting the future with certainty. It's about understanding the process. Things that once seemed unthinkable – demonizing entire groups, questioning democratic outcomes, normalizing political violence – don't happen overnight. They happen through a slow creep, a gradual erosion of norms where each step makes the next one seem less shocking. That’s how the unthinkable becomes debatable, then acceptable, then just… normal. This normalization is a powerful tool of control, which is why staying aware and speaking up early about these shifts is so vital. It also reminds us that simply dismissing the concerns of people drawn to these movements isn't enough. We need to acknowledge the real pain points – the economic insecurity, the sense of being left behind – while fiercely rejecting the hateful explanations and offering better, solidarity-based answers.
Navigating the Noise: Staying Clear-Headed in the Disinformation Age
Alongside these political shifts, we're also swimming in an ocean of information – and disinformation. It feels overwhelming sometimes, doesn't it? Trying to figure out what's true, who to trust, when everything feels like noise. This isn't just random confusion; it's often a deliberate tactic. Disinformation is weaponized to confuse us, divide us, and make us feel paralyzed – key goals for anyone trying to consolidate power or prevent collective action. It feeds directly into that "obsession with a plot" we just talked about. This flood of bad information comes from many sources:
● State Propaganda: Governments pushing biased or outright false narratives to support their agendas.
● Commercial Disinformation: Corporations spreading misinformation to protect profits or influence policy (think historical campaigns denying the harms of tobacco or fossil fuels).
● Partisan Disinformation: Political groups twisting reality to energize their base and demonize opponents.
● Foreign Interference: External actors deliberately sowing discord and undermining trust in democratic societies.
● Algorithmic Amplification: This is a sneaky one. Social media platforms often use algorithms designed to maximize engagement (clicks, shares, time spent). Unfortunately, content that provokes strong emotions – especially anger and fear – often gets the most engagement, meaning false or misleading information can spread like wildfire simply because it’s "engaging," not because it's true. The platform's business model itself can end up promoting the noise.
● Deepfakes and AI Content: Increasingly sophisticated technology makes it possible to create convincing fake videos, audio, and images, muddying the waters even further.
So, how do we keep our heads above water? It requires cultivating some critical media literacy skills, not just being cynical, but being actively engaged:
● Read Laterally: When you encounter a claim, especially one that feels emotionally charged, don't just stay on that page. Open new tabs. Search for the claim, the source, the author. See what other credible sources are saying about it. This is often the quickest way to get context or spot a falsehood.
● Verify the Source: Ask questions. Who is sharing this information? What is their expertise? Do they have a known bias or a vested interest? Are they actually in a position to know what they claim?
● Recognize Manipulation Patterns: Learn to spot common tricks: ○ Emotional Manipulation: Content designed primarily to make you outraged, scared, or overly excited often bypasses critical thinking. Be wary.
○ Cherry-Picked Data: True facts presented selectively or out of context to support a misleading conclusion.
○ False Equivalence: Treating two unequal things as if they are morally or factually the same (e.g., comparing scientific consensus with a fringe theory as if they have equal weight).
○ Manufactured "Both Sides": Giving disproportionate airtime to debunked or fringe viewpoints in the name of balance, creating a false impression of controversy where there is expert agreement.
● Check the Basics: Look at dates (is it old news presented as new?), search for the original source of images or quotes, be skeptical of content that seems perfectly designed to confirm your existing biases or trigger strong emotions. Look for inconsistencies in images or videos. It’s also about Information Hygiene. We can’t be plugged into the firehose 24/7 without burning out or getting overwhelmed. Try setting specific times to check news from trusted sources, rather than constantly scrolling through reactive feeds. Turn off unnecessary notifications. Be intentional about your information diet. Crucially, we don't have to do this alone. One of the most powerful antidotes to disinformation is building trusted community information networks. Disinformation thrives when trust is broken – trust in institutions, trust in media, and trust between neighbours. Authoritarian movements actively work to shatter these bonds. So, rebuilding that trust at a local level is a direct counter-strategy. This could look like:
● Sharing vetted local news and updates within a secure group chat (like Signal).
● Having regular in-person meetings or discussions to make sense of events together. ● Supporting or creating truly local media (community radio, newsletters) that aren't beholden to corporate or state interests.
● Maybe even having a small, informal team within your network that takes on the task of verifying critical information before it's shared more widely. Building these networks isn't just about getting accurate facts; it's about the act of rebuilding the social trust that disinformation aims to destroy. It’s resistance through connection and shared understanding.
Prepping With, Not Against: Practical Steps for Ethical Community Resilience
Okay, let's talk about the "prepping" part. When I use that word, I want to be clear: I'm not talking about the lone-wolf, "survival of the fittest" fantasy. That approach, focused solely on individual hoarding and defence, often comes from a place of fear and scarcity, and frankly, it misses the point. True resilience, the kind that can actually sustain us through hard times, is built together. Ethical, solidarity-based prepping centers community needs, resource sharing, and mutual support. The goal isn't just my survival, but our collective well-being.
So, what does that look like in practice? Let's consider some essentials, but always with a community lens:
Food and Water:
● Individual Basics: Yes, having some stored water (aim for a gallon per person per day for at least two weeks) and a reliable way to purify more (filters, tablets, knowing how to boil) is smart. Having a personal supply of shelf-stable food is also wise.
● Community Angle: Think bigger. Can neighbors go in together on bulk purchases of staples like rice, beans, lentils, oats, or canned goods? Can we map out reliable local water sources and share purification knowledge? Starting a community garden, even a small one on balconies or in a shared yard, can supplement food supplies and build skills. Sharing knowledge about food preservation (canning, dehydrating, fermenting) becomes a community asset. Saving and sharing open-pollinated, regionally adapted seeds ensures future food security for everyone.
Energy and Light:
● Individual Tools: Solar chargers for phones and essential devices, rechargeable batteries, hand-crank radios/flashlights, candles, solar lanterns are all useful personal items.
● Community Scale: Could a neighborhood pool resources for a shared generator and fuel, with clear agreements on use and maintenance? Are there opportunities for small-scale neighbourhood solar setups? Sharing skills on basic electrical repair or generator maintenance strengthens the whole group.
Medical and Health:
● Individual Kits: A well-stocked first-aid kit, personal prescriptions, and common over-the-counter meds (pain relievers, allergy meds, anti-diarrheals) are essential.
● Community Focus: Consider organizing bulk buys of common OTC medications. Set up a community period product bank, perhaps focusing on reusable options like menstrual cups. Crucially, share health-related skills. Offer or attend workshops on advanced first aid (like Stop the Bleed), basic wound care, or even introductory herbal medicine. Develop community mental health resources and crisis response plans (more on this later).
Communication:
● Personal Backup: Solar or hand-crank chargers are key. Using secure communication apps like Signal for everyday coordination is wise. For higher-risk situations or when the internet might be down, offline mesh-messaging apps like Briar can be invaluable. Simple tools like walkie-talkies (with established protocols) or even whistles can work for hyper-local comms.
● Community Infrastructure: Designate physical locations – a community board, a neighbor's porch – as information hubs if digital communication fails. Develop clear plans for how information will be shared reliably within the network.
Documentation:
● Personal Papers: Keep secure, accessible copies (physical and encrypted digital backups) of essential documents: IDs, medical records, insurance, property deeds. Have emergency contact information readily available.
● Community Resources: Develop shared (with consent!) contact lists. Create maps of local resources: reliable water sources, potential gathering spots, locations with specific supplies or skills (like a neighbor with extensive tools or medical training). Maintain a community skills inventory – who knows how to fix things, grow food, provide medical care, etc.?
Adapting to Where We Live (Urban vs. Rural):
How we approach this will look different depending on our environment. Neither is inherently "better," they just present different challenges and opportunities:
Sharing Fairly: The Heart of Ethical Prepping:
This is where solidarity prepping truly diverges from the individualist model. It's not enough to just have resources; we need ways to share them equitably and build systems based on trust and mutual care:
● Community Pantries/Libraries of Things: Shared stockpiles of food, tools, or other essentials, accessible based on need.
● Skill-Sharing, Not Just Stuff-Sharing: Recognizing that everyone has something valuable to contribute – time, knowledge, labor, emotional support – not just physical goods or money. Create systems where people can offer and request skills.
● Transparency: Keep clear, open inventories of shared resources and have agreed-upon protocols for how things are distributed, especially during shortages. This builds trust.
● Prioritizing Vulnerability: Consciously plan to ensure that those who might have the hardest time accessing resources or contributing in traditional ways (elderly neighbours, people with disabilities, families with young children, marginalized groups) are supported and included.
● Rotating Roles: Share the responsibility for organizing, maintaining inventories, and distributing resources to prevent burnout and foster collective ownership. Ultimately, every practical step we take in solidarity prepping – organizing a tool library, learning first aid together, mapping local water sources – is also an act of relationship building. The process of preparing together weaves the very social fabric that forms the bedrock of our resilience. The connections we build are just as vital, if not more so, than the supplies we gather.
Stronger Together: The How and Why of Building Mutual Aid Networks
This idea of community-based support leads us directly to mutual aid. It's a term we hear more often these days, but it's important to understand what it really means. Mutual aid isn't charity. Charity often involves a top-down relationship – those with resources giving to those without, creating a dynamic of "helper" and "helped." Mutual aid, on the other hand, is built on reciprocity, solidarity, and the understanding that our well-being is fundamentally interconnected. It recognizes that everyone has needs, and everyone has something to offer. We support each other today because we might need support tomorrow, and because we believe everyone deserves care and dignity, regardless of their circumstances.
This isn't some new, radical idea. Mutual aid has deep roots, especially in marginalized communities that couldn't rely on the state or mainstream institutions for support or protection. Think of the Black Panther Party's Free Breakfast for Children Program, which fed thousands of kids and highlighted systemic neglect. Think of the care networks built by the LGBTQ+ community during the height of the AIDS crisis when governments looked away. Think of immigrant communities creating rotating savings clubs (like susus or tandas) or housing cooperatives. Think of the spontaneous networks that sprang up after disasters like Hurricane Katrina, when official help was slow or inadequate. These are powerful examples of people taking care of each other directly.
Building mutual aid is a direct response to systemic failures. By creating networks that meet needs based on solidarity, we implicitly challenge the systems that create those needs or fail to address them. It's a practical way of building the world we want to live in, right here, right now.
So, how do you start building something like this in your own community?
1. Start with a Core Team: Begin with a small group of trusted people who are committed to the principles of mutual aid (solidarity, reciprocity, non-hierarchy). Build trust and shared understanding first.
2. Assess Needs and Assets: Gently figure out what people in your community actually need and what resources, skills, and passions already exist. This can be done through conversations, simple surveys (accessible online and offline), or community mapping exercises. Remember, assets aren't just money; they're skills, time, knowledge, tools, space, etc.
3. Create Simple, Accessible Structures: Don't overcomplicate things, especially at first.
○ Have clear ways for people to make requests (a dedicated phone number, an email address, a physical drop-box, a simple online form).
○ Be transparent about how decisions are made (if decisions are needed for resource allocation).
○ Offer multiple ways for people to contribute (donating items, offering skills, driving, making calls, providing emotional support), not just giving money.
○ Make meetings accessible (consider time, location, childcare, language).
4. Build with Security in Mind (From the Start):
Especially if you anticipate potential hostility or repression, security can't be an afterthought.
○ Develop ways to vet new members gradually, building trust over time rather than granting immediate access to sensitive information or roles.
○ Provide basic security culture training for all participants (e.g., not sharing sensitive info unnecessarily, basic digital hygiene – see next section).
○ Use secure communication practices consistently.
○ Consider having different levels of engagement – maybe public-facing activities (like a food pantry) and more protected internal networks for coordination or sensitive support.
5. Focus on Sustainability: Burnout is real in this kind of work.
○ Rotate responsibilities so no one person carries too much load.
○ Celebrate small victories and the connections being built.
○ Intentionally build care for each other into the work itself – check-ins, mutual support within the group.
○ Establish clear boundaries and expectations to manage energy levels. As political tensions rise or state support systems weaken, mutual aid networks might face increased scrutiny or even hostility.
Thinking about safety proactively is crucial:
● Security Circles: Consider structuring information flow based on trust levels (concentric circles), sharing sensitive details only on a need-to-know basis.
● Practice Good Digital Hygiene: Use encrypted communication tools consistently, minimize the amount of sensitive personal data stored digitally (more on this next).
● Create Response Plans: Talk before a crisis happens: What do we do if a member is harassed? Arrested? Threatened? Having a plan reduces panic and ensures support.
● Build Legal Support Networks: Identify and build relationships with sympathetic lawyers or legal aid organizations before you need them.
● Train in Consensus Decision-Making: Explore non-hierarchical ways to make decisions effectively. This can make the group more resilient by not relying on single leaders who could be targeted, though it requires practice to do well.
There's an inherent tension here, isn't there? Mutual aid needs to be open and accessible to effectively serve the community. But operating safely, especially in difficult circumstances, requires careful boundaries and security measures. How do you stay open enough to help broadly while being secure enough to protect participants? There's no single answer. It requires ongoing, honest conversations within the group, flexibility, and adapting strategies based on the current reality and perceived risks. It’s a balancing act we have to navigate together.
Tending Our Inner Fire: Mental Health, Grounding, and Joy as Resistance
Living through times of intense polarization, uncertainty, or the slow creep of authoritarianism takes a real toll on our minds and spirits. It's not just you; it's a collective experience. Authoritarian systems, and even just highly dysfunctional ones, often deliberately create a psychological environment designed to keep us off-balance: ● Constant uncertainty: Making it hard to plan or feel secure.
● Isolation: Breaking down trust between people and communities.
● Normalization of cruelty: Making injustice seem commonplace and unavoidable.
● Gaslighting: Undermining our confidence in our own perceptions of reality.
● A sense of powerlessness: Fostering despair and futility. Recognizing that these feelings are often induced by the systems we're navigating is the first step. It helps us understand that maintaining our own mental health, our connections, and even our capacity for joy isn't just self-care; it's an act of resistance. So, how do we tend that inner fire?
Grounding Practices (For Ourselves and Our Groups):
● Individual Practices:
○ Nervous System Regulation: Simple things like deep breathing exercises, mindful movement (stretching, walking), or short meditations can help calm the body's stress response (that fight-or-flight feeling). Find what works for you.
○ Limit Toxic Media: Be intentional about news consumption. Set timers, choose specific trusted sources, and take regular breaks from scrolling doom-laden feeds.
○ Create Small Rituals: Anchors of normalcy in your day – the way you make your morning coffee, a short walk at lunchtime, reading something beautiful before bed – can provide stability.
○ Connect with Nature: Even just sitting near a window with a view of trees, tending a houseplant, or walking in a local park can be restorative.
○ Use Physical Anchors: Sometimes holding a smooth stone, focusing on the scent of essential oil, or engaging your senses can pull you back to the present moment during high stress.
● Community Practices: This is crucial because the stress is often collective, so healing should be too.
○ Regular Check-in Circles: Create spaces within your groups where people can safely share how they're really doing, without judgment.
○ Collective Grief Rituals: Acknowledge losses together – loss of normalcy, loss of trust, specific community losses. Shared grieving is powerful.
○ Celebrate Small Victories: Actively notice and celebrate moments of connection, successful projects (no matter how small), and acts of kindness. This counters the negativity bias.
○ Intergenerational Storytelling: Hearing stories of how previous generations navigated hard times can provide perspective and resilience lessons.
○ Creative Expression: Making art, music, dancing, or writing together can be a powerful way to process emotions and build connection without words.
Joy is Not Frivolous – It's Resistance:
In systems that benefit from our despair, isolation, and burnout, actively cultivating joy becomes a revolutionary act. This isn't pretending everything is fine ("toxic positivity"). It's about:
● Deliberately noticing beauty and pleasure even amidst difficulty, finding small moments of wonder, connection, or sensory pleasure. It’s a practice of presence.
● Refusing to let oppression define our entire reality maintaining our inner freedom and humanity.
● Sustaining our energy: Joy replenishes the emotional and spiritual reserves needed for the long haul of building alternatives and resisting harm. Burnout serves the status quo.
● Practicing the world we want: Joy, connection, celebration – these are qualities of the world we're trying to build. Practicing them now makes that future feel more real and attainable.
● Building deeper solidarity: Shared laughter, meals, and celebrations connect us on an emotional level that shared ideology alone might not reach. How can we incorporate this practical joy into our community building?
● Shared meals, potlucks, community kitchens.
● Music jams, singalongs, collaborative art projects (murals, quilting).
● Rituals and ceremonies marking seasons, life transitions, or community milestones. ● Playing games together – fostering connection and relieving stress.
● Honoring and celebrating cultural traditions that have historically sustained communities through struggle. Treating our collective mental and emotional well-being as a central part of our resilience work isn't a distraction from the "serious" tasks; it's what makes those tasks possible and sustainable. Joy, in this context, isn't just a feeling; it's a strategic resource for the long, hard work of building a better world.
Treating our collective mental and emotional well-being as a central part of our resilience work isn't a distraction from the "serious" tasks; it's what makes those tasks possible and sustainable. Joy, in this context, isn't just a feeling; it's a strategic resource for the long, hard work of building a better world.
Keeping Our Connections Secure with Smart Digital Hygiene for Community Groups
As we build these networks of solidarity and mutual aid, especially if we're challenging existing power structures or operating in a climate of increased surveillance, we need to be mindful of how we communicate and handle information. This isn't about succumbing to paranoia, but about practicing prudent awareness – security culture – to protect ourselves and the communities we care about. Think of it like basic safety precautions in other areas of life. We lock our doors, we look before crossing the street – practicing good digital hygiene is similar, just adapted for the online world.
Digital Security Fundamentals (The Basics for Everyone):
● Secure Your Devices:
○ Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts. A password manager can make this much easier and more secure.
○ Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable it whenever possible (using an app is generally better than SMS). It adds a crucial second layer of protection.
○ Updates: Keep your operating system (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS) and apps updated. Updates often patch security holes.
○ Encryption: Use full-disk encryption on laptops and ensure your phone is encrypted (most modern smartphones are by default, but check settings). This protects your data if the device is lost or seized.
○ App Permissions: Regularly review which apps have access to your location, microphone, camera, contacts, etc., and revoke permissions that aren't necessary. ● Secure Your Communications:
○ End-to-End Encryption (E2EE): Use apps like Signal for sensitive conversations. E2EE means only the sender and intended recipient can read the message content. Understand what E2EE does and doesn't protect (see metadata below).
○ Higher Security Options: For very high-risk situations or potential internet shutdowns, apps like Briar (which uses Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Tor) offer more robust, decentralized communication.
○ Metadata Awareness (CRUCIAL!): This is often overlooked. Even when message content is encrypted, the metadata – who you talked to, when, for how long, potentially from where, how often – is often still visible to service providers or surveillance agencies. This metadata can reveal a lot about your network and activities. Be mindful of the patterns you create.
○ Good Habits: Regularly delete sensitive chat threads, use disappearing messages for particularly sensitive topics to limit the data trail left behind.
● Protect Your Browsing:
○ VPN (Virtual Private Network): Can mask your IP address and encrypt your traffic, useful on public Wi-Fi or to bypass some censorship. Understand its limitations – the VPN provider can still see your traffic. Choose a reputable, trustworthy VPN service. ○ Tor Browser: For significantly more anonymous browsing, needed for sensitive research or communication. It routes your traffic through multiple relays to obscure its origin.
○ Privacy-Focused Tools: Use browsers (like Firefox with privacy settings, Brave) and search engines (like DuckDuckGo, Startpage) that track you less than mainstream options.
○ Compartmentalization: Try to keep different online activities separate (e.g., use different browsers or browser profiles for personal use vs. organizing work). This helps limit how much data can be linked together about you.
Security in Practice (Especially for Organizers and Groups):
For groups actively organizing, there are additional layers to consider:
● Meeting Security: For highly sensitive in-person discussions, consider basic precautions like asking attendees to leave phones outside the room or using noise generators.
● Event Coordination: Use communication channels appropriate to the sensitivity of the event. Public announcements are different from coordinating logistics for a potentially risky action.
● Information Classification: Have clear, shared guidelines on what kind of information is safe to share via which channels (e.g., What's okay for email? What requires Signal? What should only be discussed in person?).
● Secure Collaboration: Explore tools beyond basic chat for sharing documents or collaborating on projects securely (e.g., encrypted document pads like CryptPad, secure file sharing).
● Account Security Protocols: Have a plan for what happens if a member is arrested or has their devices seized – how will their access to group accounts or communications be quickly revoked to protect others?
Creating a Community Digital Safety Plan:
This shouldn't fall on one "tech person." Security is a collective responsibility. Groups should discuss and agree on:
● Risk Assessment: What are the specific threats our group realistically faces? (e.g., State surveillance? Online harassment from opposing groups? Doxing? Casual data breaches?) Your security posture should match your actual risks.
● Security Priorities: What information or communications are most critical to protect? (Membership lists? Strategic plans? Personal details of vulnerable members?) ● Capacity Building: How will we train all members (including new ones) on basic security practices? This needs to be an ongoing effort, not a one-off lecture.
● Incident Response: What's our plan if there is a security breach, a doxing attempt, or an arrest? Who does what? How do we support affected members?
● Regular Review: Technology and threats change constantly. Revisit your security practices and plans regularly (e.g., every 6 months) to ensure they're still relevant and effective. The goal here isn't impenetrable, perfect security – that doesn't exist. The goal is risk reduction. It's about making surveillance, disruption, or harassment harder and more costly for adversaries, and allowing our communities to continue their essential work more safely. Fostering this security culture – a shared understanding and consistent practice of safety measures – needs to be proactive, woven into the fabric of how the group operates from the beginning, not just bolted on after something goes wrong. Understanding the risks, especially around metadata, and planning accordingly is key to keeping our vital connections resilient.
Here’s a simple way to think about matching tools to needs:
Building the World We Need, Starting Now Logistics Planning, Internal Updates, Skill Sharing Coordination Strategic Decision-Making, Sensitive Personal Support, High-Risk Action Planning So, where does all this leave us? It might feel like a lot – understanding threats, gathering supplies, building networks, managing digital security, tending to our emotional well-being. But here’s the core message I hope you take away: This work – this solidarity-based preparation – isn't really about waiting for some distant, catastrophic collapse. It's about recognizing the crises already unfolding around us: the social divisions, the systemic failures, the fraying trust, the creeping authoritarianism. And it's about responding by actively building the alternative structures, skills, and relationships we need, right here, right now.
The networks we weave, the skills we share, the relationships we deepen – they serve multiple crucial purposes simultaneously. They help us meet immediate community needs as existing systems falter or prove inadequate. They build our collective resilience against further shocks, repression, or hardship. And perhaps most importantly, they allow us to practice the world we actually want to create – a world based on care, equity, mutual support, and connection – right in the midst of the one we currently inhabit.
The path forward demands both practical preparation and a fierce commitment to our shared humanity. It requires us to look beyond our own doorsteps and recognize our interdependence. By consciously rejecting isolation, by choosing to practice solidarity even when it’s hard, by learning practical skills together, and by intentionally cultivating our capacity for connection and even joy amidst the challenges, we are doing more than just surviving. We are actively creating living, breathing alternatives to the systems causing harm. We are seeding the future we hope for in the soil of the present.
Remember this, always: You are not alone.
Your community – the people around you, willing to connect and care – is your greatest resource, your deepest wellspring of strength. And the quiet, often unseen work of looking out for each other, of sharing what we have, of listening with empathy, of building trust neighbor by neighbor – that is the foundation upon which any better, more resilient, more humane future must be built.
Start where you are. Reach out to a neighbor. Share a skill. Ask for help. Offer help. Have that slightly awkward conversation about preparing together. Every small act of connection matters. Every shared meal, every learned skill, every moment of mutual support chips away at the isolation and fear and builds something stronger in its place. Let's build it together.
Disclaimer: Please remember that this article is intended for informational purposes only. It reflects my personal perspective and research as shared on Ashes and Shelter. It is not a substitute for professional legal, security, medical, or financial advice. For specific guidance tailored to your situation, especially concerning complex issues like security protocols, legal structures for groups, or specific health and safety needs, please consult with qualified professionals in those fields. Stay safe and take care of each other.