A student strike is a mass movement that brings schools to a halt—be they universities, colleges, cégeps or any other schools. It means going class-by-class to ensure that business as usual is put to a stop. And, like a workers’ strike, it means setting up picket lines at the entrances to their schools and blocking them off.
But in order to get there we need to mobilize, mobilize and mobilize again. Everything hinges on broadening this movement as far as possible!
To start, it is therefore important to begin politically convincing as many students as possible of the need for a strike. However, what is needed is not simply passive support but active organizers. Every single person who agrees with the need for a student strike for Palestine, should be put to work to help convince more people and build towards the strike.
New students should see lots of activities that they can easily get involved in. Right from the start, there should be a first meeting to invite people to. It can be as simple as holding a public meeting to discuss the need for a student strike, and go from there. There are many ways to mobilize and reach people:
- Postering: this is an easy way to make the strike known, but also an easy first activity in which to mobilize new volunteers.
- Flyering: get the word out! Talk to students, use the communist arguments laid out in this paper and get people involved in the strike.
- Petitioning: on many campuses, this will be an invaluable tool to get the student union executives to organize a general assembly to discuss a strike.
- Classroom visits: go to classrooms, ask the teacher if you can speak to the students with a short announcement.
- Banner drop: in a visible space on campus, display a banner with a relevant slogan, making sure to talk to people that are attracted to it.
- Organize a sit-in, a walkout at lunchtime, a rally: based on a good number of organizers, this can be a good way to enthuse people.
- Mobilize people for the first general student assembly: if a GA is already planned, you should mobilize people to attend and pass a resolution in favour of a student strike.
Anyone can become an organizer for this campaign. RCP members across the country are doing everything they can to get this off the ground. Get in touch with us right away and we will put you in touch with students on your campus mobilizing for a student strike. If we don’t already have people on your campus, we will give you all of the resources and advice you need to launch the movement at your school. Forward to a student strike for Palestine!
