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. (The list of organizations on the other side of this page 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 full list of activist organizations in the Hudson Valley
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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Direct Action Support & Safety Resources
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Adapted from The Ruckus Society’s “Action Safety and Community Care in Times of Rapid Response” Training Guide and the experience of BCAN members.
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There are many past movements of resistance we can learn from as we continue to fight for a better future! Many organizations have also created tools that we can use to center community safety and justice as we fight for what we believe in.
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Best Practices for Movement Safety
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Use encrypted apps for communication, like Signal (texting, voice calls) and Zello (Walkie-Talkie).
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Set up disappearing messages on Signal.
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If you are meeting to talk about sensitive information, turn off all phones.
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Going to an Action?
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Make a plan with someone who is not present at the protest to be your contact in case you are arrested. Write their phone number in sharpie on a place of your body you can easily access (like your forearm).
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Pack the following:
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Water: To stay hydrated and to use as an eye flush.
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Identification: “Not having legal identification at the time of arrest can complicate your booking process and ultimately make it take longer for your identity to be verified and for you to be released. There are many reasons for not carrying identification and this should be discussed with your group in advance of taking action.”
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Money: It is a common practice for police to release arrested protestors in the middle of the night. Having money on you will allow you to get transportation back from jail, especially if your phone has died.
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Medication: If you have a prescription medication that you might require over the next 24 hours, bring it in the original container with your name on it.
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Snack
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Sharpie
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PPE Gear (Mask & Sanitizer)
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Layers
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Wellness Kit (first aid, herbs for emotional support, spiritual items)
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​Don’t talk to the police! The police have no legal obligation to tell you the truth or protect you. “If it feels like you are being detained, ask: Am I being detained? If they say no, carefully and slowly leave. If you are being detained, memorize these magic words and only use these ‘I am going to remain silent. I would like to see a lawyer.’” (The Ruckus Society)
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Protect each other!
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Do not point out specific people to the police. If they ask, “Who is in charge?” or “Who is the police liaison?” you can point in a random direction and say, “They are over there.”
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Be mindful of what you share on social media.​
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