📅 Weekly Actions

Consistent action builds visible presence, creates regular touchpoints, prevents burnout (more sustainable than constant escalation), develops skills incrementally, recruits new members.

🪧 Tabling

2-hour shifts, 2-3 people, high visibility and direct recruitment.

Materials:

Before: Reserve space 2-3 weeks ahead through student union. Pick high-traffic location (student center, cafeteria, library entrance). Best times: lunch hours (11am-2pm), between classes. Print CJPME factsheets. Create sign-up sheet (Name, Email, Phone, Interests). Generate QR codes. Prepare talking points. Create calendar, recruit volunteers (always pair experienced + new), send reminders 24 hours before.

During: Set up 15 min before—arrange materials, test QR codes, brief partner. Engage passers-by—make eye contact, smile. Opening: “Hi! We’re [group name], raising awareness about the genocide in Palestine. Do you have a minute?” Don’t info-dump—ask questions: “Have you heard what’s happening in Gaza?” “Interested in organizing?” Have specific asks: sign petition, join email list, attend next event. Keep myth-busting resource handy. If you don’t know something, be honest: “Great question, let me get your email and send you resources.” Don’t engage bad-faith actors—politely disengage.

After: Follow up within 48 hours. Email everyone who signed up. Thank them. Send promised resources. Invite to next event. Debrief: What went well? What questions came up? How many sign-ups? What to improve?

Do: Interactive elements (quizzes, art activities, map exercises). Pair experienced + new members. Keep it positive—solution-oriented, hopeful. Have clear asks. Protect privacy—keep sign-up sheets secure.

Don’t: Argue with trolls, info-dump, leave table unattended.

Resources: Protect Palestine: Campus Organizers, CJPME Printables

🕯️ Vigils

30 min - 2 hours, 5-50+ people, visible solidarity and community building.

Types: Weekly standing vigil (same time/place builds routine), memorial vigil (honor specific victims or events), silent vigil (powerful statement without speeches), readings vigil (poetry, testimonies, names of victims).

Timeline: 6 weeks before—choose date, time, location, decide format. 4 weeks—apply for permits through campus/city, recruit legal observer (Palestine Legal), invite partner organizations. 2 weeks—create event page/flyer, invite speakers, gather materials. 1 week—promote heavily, email campus community, confirm speakers and legal observer, print materials. Day of—arrive 30 min early, brief organizers, welcome participants, run program, clean up.

Materials:

People:

Sample program (1 hour): 0:00-0:05 Welcome & land acknowledgment, 0:05-0:10 Why we’re here, 0:10-0:30 Silent reflection OR readings/speakers, 0:30-0:45 More speakers/testimonies, 0:45-0:55 Call to action, 0:55-1:00 Closing.

Safety: Legal observer present—know your rights. De-escalation plan if counter-protesters appear. Exit plan. Buddy system—no one alone. Communication plan—group chat, designated contact.

Before event, review: Know your protest rights, Ontario Federation of Labour: Safer Protesting Guide, Calgary protest rights, Canadian Civil Liberties Association: Protesting.

From organizers: Regular time/place builds community—people know to come every Thursday at 5pm. Silent vigils are powerful—sometimes presence speaks louder. Partner with faith groups—vigils resonate with religious communities. Have tissues available—this is emotional work.

🎬 Film Screenings

6-week planning timeline, 5-10 organizers, education + recruitment.

Film screenings work because they’re accessible for beginners, build understanding through storytelling, create empathy, start discussions that lead to organizing, and build community through shared experience.

Timeline: Week 1—choose film (see film recommendations), book venue, set date/time (weeknight evening works), assign roles. Week 2—secure film rights/streaming (many have free screening licenses, see Just Vision Film Screening Toolkit), book A/V equipment, create budget, apply for funding. Week 3—create poster/flyer, Facebook event, Instagram promotion, email campus groups, post around campus, partner orgs promote. Week 4—daily social media, class announcements (ask profs), flyers in high-traffic areas, email reminders, finalize panel/Q&A. Week 5—intensify promotion, confirm logistics, print programs, prepare discussion questions, brief panel/facilitator, gather sign-up sheets. Week 6—daily reminders, tech check (24 hours before), set up (2 hours before), welcome attendees, run event, follow up.

Event day checklist:

Tech (2 hours before):

Room:

Materials:

People:

Sample program (2 hours): 0:00-0:10 Welcome, introductions, land acknowledgment. 0:10-0:15 Film introduction (context, why this film). 0:15-1:30 Film screening. 1:30-1:50 Q&A/panel discussion. 1:50-2:00 Next steps, calls to action, closing.

Discussion questions (5-7 prepared): “What moment stood out to you most?” “What did you learn that you didn’t know before?” “How does this connect to what’s happening now?” “What can we do in response?” “How can we bring this to our campus?”

Film recommendations: Introduction—Five Broken Cameras (93 min, nonviolent resistance, very accessible), Budrus (78 min, hopeful). Historical—Al-Nakba (4 parts, ~60 min each, 1948 from Palestinian perspective). Current—Occupation 101 (90 min, root causes), Little Palestine: Diary of a Siege (89 min, refugees in Syria). Israeli perspectives—The Gatekeepers (97 min, former Shin Bet heads reflect). Lighter/inspirational—Speed Sisters (75 min, first all-female racing team), Gaza Mon Amour (87 min, romance in Gaza). Complete list →

Critical: Pair with Palestinian food—support local Palestinian restaurant for catering. Have tissues ready—these films are emotional. Keep lights slightly on during Q&A—people want to see each other. Record questions—document what people care about. Always have next step—join email list, come to meeting, take action.

Resources: Just Vision: Film Screening Toolkit

📱 Social Media Campaigns

30 min - 2 hours/day, 1-3 people, broad reach and amplify Palestinian voices.

Weekly content calendar: Monday—educational (fact of the week, historical moment, international law explainer, CJPME factsheet). Tuesday—myth-busting (address misconception, share resources, quote credible sources). Wednesday—amplification (share Palestinian journalist posts, repost from organizations, quote Palestinian voices, list of accounts →). Thursday—call to action (“Email your MP,” “Sign petition,” “Donate,” “Attend event”). Friday—campus update (what your group is doing, upcoming events, wins, join us). Saturday—media (articles, video clips, infographics, Visualizing Palestine graphics). Sunday—community/personal (member spotlights, why we organize, gratitude, rest reminder).

Content types that work: Carousel posts (multi-slide educational, step-by-step guides, myth vs. reality, before/after land maps). Reels/short videos (quick facts 15-30 sec, event clips, testimonies, how-tos). Stories (daily updates, event reminders, polls/questions, behind-the-scenes). Static posts (quotes, infographics, event announcements, action callouts).

Increase reach: Post when audience is active (check insights), use relevant hashtags (#FreePalestine #GazaUnderAttack #CdnPoli), tag related accounts (don’t spam), engage with comments quickly, share to stories.

Build community: Ask questions in captions, respond to every comment (first hour is crucial), share user content (with permission), host Instagram Lives, use polls in stories.

Counter suppression: Assume algorithm will suppress. Tell followers to turn on notifications. Cross-post to multiple platforms. Save content—people share later. Don’t rely solely on social media.

Hashtags: Always use #FreePalestine #GazaUnderAttack #PalestinianRights #EndTheOccupation. Canadian context: #CdnPoli #CanadianPolitics #[YourCity]. Specific campaigns: #BDS #Divestment #ArmEmbargoNow. Check trending tags. Avoid suppressed terms—some platforms suppress certain phrases, test different phrasings, monitor reach/engagement.

Team roles: Content creator (1-2 people, create graphics and captions), scheduler (1 person, plan calendar and schedule), engagement manager (1-2 people, respond to comments/messages), amplifier (everyone shares and boosts).

Tools: Planning—Google Calendar, Notion, Trello. Design—Canva (free), Adobe Express. Scheduling—Later, Buffer, native tools. Analytics—platform insights.

Weekly meeting (30 min): Review last week’s performance, plan next week’s content, assign creation tasks, flag issues.

Do: Center Palestinian voices—share, don’t speak over. Fact-check everything—misinformation hurts the movement. Content warnings for graphic content. Credit sources. Accessibility—alt text, captions, clear fonts. Consistent branding.

Don’t: Share unverified content, engage with trolls, burn out from constant posting.

If shadowbanned: Don’t panic, vary content, engage more (comment on others’ posts), use fewer hashtags temporarily, appeal if possible.

If getting hate: Don’t feed trolls, block/mute freely, document serious threats, report to Palestine Legal if needed, support resources →.

If account suspended: Appeal immediately, have backup account, save content elsewhere, build email list (platform-independent).

Resources: American Muslims for Palestine: Art of Public Demonstrations, Jewish Voice for Peace: Media Kit, Protect Palestine: Social Media Tactics

Building Your Weekly Routine

Sample week: Monday—social media (educational), check in with team. Tuesday—social media (myth-busting), tabling (2-hour shift). Wednesday—social media (amplification), planning meeting (1 hour). Thursday—social media (action), vigil (if weekly). Friday—social media (update), tabling OR classroom presentation. Saturday—social media (media). Sunday—social media (community), rest!

Start small, build up: Week 1—just social media (daily posts). Week 2—add one tabling shift. Week 3—add planning meeting. Week 4—add one more action (vigil or second tabling). Month 2—you have sustainable routine.

Prevent burnout: Rotate responsibilities—don’t let one person do everything. Take breaks—skip a week if needed. Celebrate wins. Support each other—check in on wellbeing. Mental health resources →

Get Started

This week: Choose ONE action to start with. Recruit 2-3 people to help. Pick date/time. Gather materials. Promote. Do it! Debrief and improve.

Next week: Do it again (consistency!). Consider adding second weekly action. Keep building.

Resources

Planning: Protect Palestine: Campus Organizers, Palestine Portal: Guides & Toolkits

Safety: Know Your Rights →, Digital Security →

More: Strategic Campaigns → - Divestment, speakers, media. Role Templates → - Build your team.

Questions? Email mail@berryhouse.ca

Ready for bigger campaigns? → Strategic Campaigns →

From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. 🇵🇸