Planning a Building Action
- The first action of a tenant union is important to show the group is not all talk. The best tenant unions are not shy. If the group is unsure what to do, planning an outreach day or action is the way to go!
- In order to hold an action, you need to have three things:
- Clear Demands,
- A Target,
- and People (By now you should have all three!)
- Determine date, time, and location
- Choose an action date 3 – 10 days away. You need time to prepare, but don’t take so much time that the group loses momentum.
- Location should be convenient, visible, and either, a) where the landlord is, or b) where the problem is occurring. If your landlord is across town, do it at the building or go to the property management office.
- Pick a strategic time to hold the action. If you want press and media attention, plan it when reporters are working (ie. weekdays mid-day). If you want to catch the landlord or manager, plan around their office hours. If you want more people there, evenings or Saturdays are best.
- Good actions are creative! Make props, flashy signs, banners, etc. The aim is to bring attention to the issue and your demands.
- Try to get the media (See Media Tips). If they don’t show up, make your own social media.