Direct Action Resources

Following are several articles/zines/etc. containing useful info for planning and executing direct actions, and a list of recommended texts that are either substantially longer or are not available online. If you are or are planning to be involved in direct action, please also check out the resources on our Security Culture page.

Except for articles authored by us, none of these should be taken as expressing opinions held by Root Force.

Direct Action Tips by Root Force
An introduction to planning a creative direct action.

“The Civilian’s Guide to Direct Action ” (PDF) by Crimethinc
Another good introduction to direct action, more in-depth.

Planning Direct Action by Anonymous
A thorough guide to all steps of planning, executing and debriefing from a direct action, including some information on security culture.

Bending a Company To Your Will by Anonymous
This article lays out the strategy used by recent anti-vivisection campaigns (the so-called “SHAC Model”) to influence companies’ activities. While no one model has all the answers, the SHAC Model is important for its ingenious focus on attacking the weak points of a system, and has lessons applicable on both the small (company) and large (The System) scales.

“An Interview with an ALF Activist” by Anonymous
Although very focused on animal liberations in the UK, this narrative provides an example of good, security-conscious action planning, and also has specific tips helpful for actions that involve getting into mildly guarded locations.

Ozymandias Sabotage Handbook by Ozymandias
A “How-To” guide to sabotaging machinery.

[more coming soon!]

Recommended Reading

Earth First! Direct Action Manual
(available from peacesupplies.org)
A classic work full of information on planning and carrying out aboveground actions (like blockades and lockdowns) and some milder underground or partially underground actions (like hunt sabbing or lock gluing).

Ecodefense: A Field Guide to Monkeywrenching
by Dave Foreman and Bill Haywood
(order from the Earth First! Journal; online edition available here)
THE classic work on eco-sabotage.

Recipes for Disaster: An Anarchist Cookbook
(order from CrimethInc.)