ZINES
Through art and storytelling, we aim to ignite action, build awareness, and mobilize every reader of our zines toward a better collective future.
Activism in 2025 ​
In today’s political climate, we find strength in knowing that our actions matter more than ever—and that we are not alone. If you’ve ever felt afraid or powerless in the face of our administration’s beliefs and actions, this zine is for you.
Be An Activist was created with one goal: to empower you to build community, support it, and fight for the future you believe in.
No action is too small.
Think of this publication as a guidepost—a map to help you explore the options available to you here in the Hudson Valley, and a reminder of those who came before us and what they were able to achieve.
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Below is a digital layout of our 2025 Be An Activist zine.
Want a physical copy? Find us at any of our events throughout the year—they’ll be available for free to anyone who stops by!
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Let’s build the future we want
As we face intersecting crises, we’re all feeling strong feelings: motivated, angry, scared, hopeless, and hopeful. The good news is that we live amid a legacy of activism in our region, and we have the agency to make change.
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There’s a lot to worry about: the looting of the federal government by billionaires, mass deportations of our immigrant friends and neighbors, the climate emergency, our country endorsing genocide, the rising costs (financial, emotional, and otherwise) of just existing in America right now.
Change has to start somewhere. Why not with us, right here, right now?
Tap into your interest & skills
What changes do you want to see in your community? How can you create momentum to
solve problems? Are you a strong public speaker, a great writer, an artist, a spreadsheet wizard, or a
baker? We all have skills to offer.
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We can’t wait for change to come from Washington. Choose an issue you’re passionate about, and find a local angle. An act of change where you live can inspire change throughout our region: BCAN
successfully campaigned in Beacon to prohibit gas hookups in new buildings. Now, New York is
advancing a statewide ban.
Team up
Get to know your neighbors. They’re probably fired up too! We can make the greatest impact working together as a community. Many activists—including elders and lifelong residents—are already working hard and would love our support. Find them and plug into what they’re doing. (Our list of organizations is a great place to start!)
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Maintain your motivation and prevent burnout by “building a bench” of people to support each other with complementary skills, interests, and resources.
Take Action
We can take so many actions within our community: volunteer, participate in mutual aid, protest, and keep our elected officials honest.
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We also need time to have fun and bond with fellow activists: have meals together, watch a movie or read a book together, or even just throw a party!
Make a plan
We’re motivated to fight for change. Every person who joins the fight for justice adds momentum to
our movement.
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What needs doing? What are you good at? What brings you joy? Find the answers, and there is your starting place. Lean into your community and take action. Now is the time to take your next step toward the future you want to see.
Activism in our region
In addition to spearheading Beacon’s ban on new gas hookups, BCAN demanded Good Cause
Eviction—rules that keep renters in their homes—and the city passed strong protections.
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But we’re just one organization in our region picking and winning righteous fights—other activists have been busy too. This map celebrates some of those past wins and a few organizations doing great work in our backyard. See a longer (and growing) list at beaconcan.org/zines.
Although we’re using familiar place names for clarity, the original stewards of this land referred to the river as “Mahicannituck”—the water that is never still.
For a longer (and growing) list of organizations in our region
Housing Justice ​
In 2024, the Beacon City Council unanimously passed Good Cause Eviction, which will help protect tenants from exorbitant rent hikes and unfair evictions. We were able to convince the council to tailor the law to cover the maximum possible amount of people. Read more about what it impacts the residents of Beacon.
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