What We Do

OWL chapters organize mutual aid networks that provide material support to community members in need. This includes food distribution, emergency financial assistance, transportation support, and other forms of direct aid.

We also coordinate community defense efforts, which may include monitoring public events for safety, providing accompaniment for vulnerable community members, and organizing rapid response networks.

Our mutual aid work is not charity. It is based on principles of solidarity, recognizing that we all have needs and we all have something to contribute. We build relationships of reciprocity and trust.

Community defense means protecting our neighbors from harm, whether that harm comes from individuals, groups, or institutions. We document threats, share information, and organize collective responses when necessary.

We research and document patterns of institutional failure, corruption, and harm. This includes tracking public officials, monitoring policy changes, and maintaining records of incidents and responses.

Our documentation work serves multiple purposes: it creates institutional memory, supports legal and civic pressure campaigns, and helps communities understand patterns and trends.

We use this research to apply pressure through legal channels, public records requests, media engagement, and direct communication with institutions and officials.

Accountability means holding power to account, but it also means holding ourselves accountable. We document our own work, learn from mistakes, and maintain transparency about our operations and decisions.

OWL uses a variety of tools to apply pressure for change, including public records requests, legal challenges, media engagement, and direct communication with officials and institutions.

We work within existing legal and civic frameworks, recognizing that these frameworks are tools that can be used for good or ill. We use them strategically and ethically.

Our pressure campaigns are targeted, specific, and based on research and documentation. We do not engage in harassment or intimidation, but we do insist on accountability and responsiveness.

We coordinate with legal organizations, journalists, and other allies to maximize the effectiveness of our pressure campaigns while maintaining our own organizational autonomy.

We develop and share educational resources on topics including democratic processes, legal rights, media literacy, and organizing skills. These resources are designed to be practical, accessible, and actionable.

Our education work happens through workshops, written materials, one-on-one conversations, and ongoing relationships. We prioritize building political literacy that helps people understand and navigate systems of power.

We also engage in political education about the history and context of anti-fascist organizing, the nature of authoritarian threats, and the importance of democratic institutions.

Education is not just about information transfer. It is about building capacity, confidence, and understanding that enables people to participate effectively in democratic processes and community organizing.