SolidarityNetwork.org

Activist have always had to worry about being targeted while organizing but in recent months, we’ve noticed a trend among many new organizations in our community. Groups are forming around important issues, immigration, Israel/Palestine, mass surveillance, and police violence. These are high-risk areas where activists can be targeted, singled out, and harassed. With the government going off the rails, we are seeing more surveillance and attacks on organizations, activists, and marginalized communities and it is important that groups take precautions to protect themselves and their members.

But here’s the problem: too many new organizations are getting security all wrong.

Instead of practicing smart digital and organizational security, some groups lean on secrecy in ways that actually undermines trust. They’ll use fake names and withhold even the most basic details, while still asking the other organizations and the general public to show up for their rallies, marches, or direct actions. ESSN receives flyers and announcements for events all the time, but when we can’t even tell who is behind them, we can’t verify if the events are safe or legitimate.

Think about it: these groups are asking others to put themselves at risk by participating, but offering nothing in return, not even enough information for us to know if they’re reliable organizers.

It gets worse when organizers hide behind ridiculous aliases. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are people in our community who use alternate names as part of their public identity. That’s different. I have friends who use names that are different from their legal name but it’s the same name they use in their daily lives. People know them, they are legitimate, and we can vouch for them. That’s a real identity.

But when all you know about someone is a throwaway fake name like “Peaches” or “Starfish,” it’s a different story. It doesn’t inspire confidence, and it certainly doesn’t help when I’m in front of union leadership trying to explain who’s coordinating an action. Using a name like that makes everyone involved look unprofessional and unserious. At the very least, if you’re going to use a pseudonym, pick something that sounds like a real person.

Here’s the bottom line:

ESSN has a responsibility to keep our network members safe. That means we cannot promote events, rallies, or actions when we don’t know who is organizing them. The risk is too high. But if groups choose to engage with us, build a relationship, and let us vet them, then we can vouch for them. That makes a world of difference. Our allies know they can trust events backed by ESSN because we’ve spent the last 35 years building those connections.

ESSN also has responsibilities. When groups or activists engage with us, to treat their trust with seriousness. That means:

• We will not disclose private identities without consent.
• We will never share sensitive information about organizers or organizations outside of the Network.
• When we vouch for an event or group, we do so in a way that protects individuals while still assuring others that the organizing is legitimate and safe.

We’re not saying activist engaged in high-risk organizing campaigns need to broadcast their identities to the public. What we are saying is if you want to utilize our Network and our connections to build broad participation, you need to build trust. Give us something to work with. Meet us halfway.

Organizing is about building power. And power comes from trust. Without it, no movement lasts.

Some Practical Suggestions for New Groups

If you’re starting out and want people to take your organizing seriously, here are some simple ways to balance security with trust:

• Build a contact bridge. You don’t have to reveal everything publicly, but identify at least one trusted individual or organization that can vouch for you. That relationship gives others confidence.

• Use a professional name or alias. If you need to protect your legal identity, pick a name that sounds like it belongs to a real organizer, not a cartoon character.

• Create a consistent identity. Whether it’s a name, a logo, or an email address, use the same handle everywhere. Consistency builds recognition and legitimacy.

• Communicate clearly. Provide enough info about your goals, your values, and your expectations for participants. “Just show up” with no context is not enough.

• Engage with networks. Groups like ESSN exist to connect, verify, and amplify. Working with us makes you stronger and safer, and it reassures potential allies that you’re legitimate.
   

“Good security for organizations is about more than keeping everything secret. In today’s world, nothing is ever fully secure, but if you want to be an effective organizer you have to do your best to protect your members while still maintaining your ability to organize effectively.”