Shut It Down

by Lisa Fithian

A veteran activist's guide to direct action and strategic civil disobedience as the most radical and rapid means to social change

For decades, Lisa Fithian’s work as an advocate for civil disobedience and nonviolent direct action has put her on the frontlines of change. Described by Mother Jones as “the nation’s best-known protest consultant,” Fithian has supported countless movements including the Battle of Seattle in 1999, rebuilding and defending communities following Hurricane Katrina, Occupy Wall Street, and the uprisings at Standing Rock and in Ferguson. For anyone who wants to become more active in resistance or is just feeling overwhelmed or hopeless, Shut It Down offers strategies and actions you can take right now to promote justice and incite change in your own community.

In Shut It Down Fithian shares historic, behind-the-scenes stories from some of the most important people-powered movements of the past several decades. She shows how movements that embrace direct action have always been, and continue to be, the most radical and rapid means for transforming the ills of our society. Shut It Down is filled with instructions and inspiration for how movements can evolve as the struggle for social justice continues in the Trump era and beyond.

While recognizing that electoral politics, legislation, and policy are all important pathways to change, Shut It Down argues that civil disobedience is not just the only action that remains when all else fails, but a spiritual pursuit that protects our deepest selves and allows us to reclaim our humanity. Change can come, but only if we’re open to creatively, lovingly, and strategically standing up, sometimes at great risk to ourselves, to protect what we love.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Activism, Social Justice, Memoir, Audiobook, Self Help

333 pages, Paperback

Published September 3, 2019

Reviews

[Andrea Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an excellent book! It is an engaging and fascinating read that works on so many levels:

1) as a personal memoir of a committed and courageous social justice leader dedicated to direct action and horizontal organizing;
2) as a history of social justice direct action in the US and internationally that introduces us to the community of activists working in alignment around the world and brings us into the adrenaline pumping moment-by-moment unfolding of the actions;
3) as a description and analysis of direct action theory and practice along with other forms of political resistance; and
4) as a practical toolbox of direct action techniques.

What a gift that Lisa Fithian has given to everyone who is fighting for a just, equitable and loving world!

[Kate Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really valuable strategic thinking for direct actions. Lisa Fithian is just the best.

[Amanda Mileur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa's insights and experience are invaluable to anyone who wants to be a better, more effective, more rigorously honest and loving activist.

[Margaret Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

very inspiring and forthright story of a life dedicated to systemic change, healing, and grappling with the racism our nation is built on.

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This took FOR-EV-ER to read, because it was not engrossing at all. I appreciate Fithian's expertise in organizing and the various lessons, techniques and tips she provides throughout this book. However, the rambling tales of her time during various protest movements was tedious and disjointed and ultimately didn't paint her in a positive light: she jumps from movement to movement, event to event, with no real indication of what her personal convictions actually are (the one exception is when she's describing the Occupy movement and she talks about the people in danger of losing their homes - there is the honesty, the empathy, the passion that's lacking elsewhere). Is she just there - everywhere from Justice for Janitors to Shut Down the CIA to Tahrir Square to the Battle in Seattle to Standing Rock to Ferguson - to provide her organizing expertise to those who are driving the movement, or is she really truly passionate about the issues the movement is trying to tackle? It's not always clear to me, and frankly a lot of her stories come off as a bit self-centered. After reading Shut It Down, I don't know anything more about Fithian's life or motivations, nor about the movements themselves (the essays need more WHY in order to spark the reader's attention and sense of justice). I do know more about the nuts and bolts of organizing, though, so at least the book accomplished that mission.

[Scott Neigh]

Storytelling about a life spent at the heart of many of the major social movements in the US in the last 35 years combined with very practical lessons about how to organize. I had never heard of Lisa Fithian before, but as an organizer, a facilitator, a trainer, and an activist, she has done a lot – from working a as an organizer in some of the early Justice for Janitors campaigns, to a mass direct action that (briefly) shut down CIA headquarters, to the anti-WTO protests in Seattle and a number of other big global justice actions, to New Orleans post-Hurricane Katrina, to the attempts by internationals in Cairo to join the Gaza Freedom March, to Occupy and its environs, to Ferguson, to Standing Rock, and much more. And it should convey a sense of where she's speaking from that she wasn't someone who just randomly showed up to these things, but was usually invited to play whatever role she played because she has a reputation as someone who is able to Make Things Happen and Get Things Done. I think what I find most compelling about her approach is the way that it combines a resolute commitment to things like horizontalism, direct action, and other key elements of anti-authoritarian grassroots politics, with an equally solid commitment to practical campaigns that are oriented towards actually winning stuff. Sad to say, that combination is rarer than you might think. Anyway, it's an engaging read if you're interested in first-hand accounts of some key movement moments – I certainly learned things I didn't know, even though I was around and paying attention from a distance across much of the era she writes about – and it has lots of practical advice for anyone trying to figure out how work collectively to fight for change. A great movement book.

[Akeiisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fithian shares tactics and gives examples of their use from her 30+ years of direct action across a variety of issues. While one of the strengths of this book is the variety of protest activity, a corresponding weakness is the lack of unifying philosophy driving Fithian's engagement in everything from labor disputes to opposing US actions in South American politics. And while she claims to be anti-racist, most of the discussion of race in organizing and direct actions doesn't come until the final two chapters (Ferguson and Standing Rock). In the Standing Rock chapter Fithian talks about the need to respect indigenous culture and practices and then disrupts their way of doing things to "do it better," despite repeatedly stating there is no one way to take direct action. There are useful tips and tools here, just know that the writer comes from a place of privilege, does not seem interested in sticking with any one issue for the long haul, almost completely dismisses gender imbalances in organizing, and may aim to be anti-racist but isn't there yet. Overall 2 out of 5.

[R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book as a primer. I'm not one who has participated in a lot of activism beyond letter writing and phone calls. I've been hesitant because of impacts to my career being arrested, etc. That's left me in a weird spot where I may sympathize with a movement and want to work within the system to change things rather than be an outsider putting pressure on the system.

I'm definitely interested in more active participation though as I see the embarrassment of the federal government and what is happening with our civil liberties.

[Madeleine]

i was lucky enough to be trained by fithian and feel very fortunate to have her guiding thoughts on power (what it means, and how we can build it effectively) articulated in movement contexts with such a wealth of resources. a lot of helpful resources grounded in the people's institute for survival and beyond's practices on what white anti-racist organizing can look like.

[Neil McGee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lisa Fithian describes herself as an activist but is actually someone bent on hate and intolerance. Her experiences are a peek into the mind of a depraved person suffering from undiagnosed mental illness. Quite frankly, she should be charged and prosecuted for inciting violence and acts of treason. It's truly amazing literally anyone can get a book published, even when it's pure garbage.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the mix here - VERY useful Activist Toolbox notes (conceptual AND concrete) mixed with memoir from Occupy, Justice for Janitors and other major social justice campaigns. The Appendix alone is a goldmine for thinking about how to get sh*t done.

[Baruch Zeichner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is well worth reading. Lisa Fithian describes her experiences as an activist. She writes well, and her experiences are inspiring. In these times especially, inspiring altruistic politically savvy activism is much needed!

[Errrrrrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biography of a lifelong activist/instructional manual on non-violent direct action. If you're disenchanted with the idea that voting is the only way to change things I think you might like it.

[Elliot Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisa is an inspiring, intelligent, organizer with decades of experience.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect book for anyone that needs a good bump. It’s well written and easy to read. The advice is simple and made for everyone.

[elaina moss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read. I’m not quite sure how the algorithm recommended this to me as I don’t have any plans to shut anything down, but appreciated the experience and stories.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great read for anyone who wants guidelines about direct action and protesting or more information about the life and work of the author. I especially liked the definitions about different types of power in society and it will continue to influence my thoughts.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciate the mix here - very useful Activist Toolbox notes (conceptual AND concrete) mixed with memoir from major social justice street protests like Occupy, WTO/Seattle, Justice For Janitors. The Appendix alone is a goldmine for thinking about how to get sh*t done.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts a little slow and folksy, but once she dives into her involvement with various movements, it gets really interesting and thought-provoking.