Grassroots activism is when ordinary people take collective action to spark change. These kinds of activism efforts are undertaken at a global, local, or community level. The “bottom-up” approach of building power at the grassroots level can be especially effective at scale to protect and advocate for human rights.
We can – we must – open our eyes to suffering across the world, and work to stop it. Grassroots activism begins when a person or group of people identify a problem or an issue they want to address and come together to change norms, institutions, policies, or laws.
We all have the capacity to make a difference and take action in large ways and small to protect human rights. You can join our legislative team to urge policymakers to pass laws to protect human rights, join or start an activist group, or serve as a volunteer leader for your area, school, or country depending on your skills and interests.
Join An Activist Group
You can join one of the six hundred activist groups (and growing!) to start taking action with people in your school or community.
In addition to groups in your region or school, you can also join one of our larger networks to connect with people working on similar issues nationwide. Our Faith in Action Network is where faith-based communities come together for human rights and the Virtual Action Network is for people who want to organize online globally. The Death Penalty Abolition Network does work specifically around the death penalty.
Get Involved in Youth Activism
Young people are driving human rights work on their campuses and in their communities, while learning about global and domestic human rights issues. We have hundreds of youth and student groups across the country, as well as resources for educators and parents.
Support Write for Rights
Every year, Amnesty International’s Write for Rights campaign brings together people from around the world to fight injustice and support people whose human rights are under threat, and this year marks our 23rd year of writing for human rights.
Join the Urgent Action Network
When a person’s human rights are under attack, our global movement responds. We write letters, make calls, and organize in our communities to press for urgent action.
Volunteer Leadership
People with different backgrounds and interests serve as volunteer leaders. We have several types of volunteer leadership positions available focused on many issues and skills.
Organize in Your State
Our organizing team works across several key states in the US. When you join a task force, you help build the people power we need to create a strong grassroots movement – and win.
Lobbying
Our volunteers work with our staff to lobby state and federal policymakers and provide them with research and information to enact policies on critical human rights issues.