This Is Not “Operation Mayhem” (But It’s Close, I Mean It's An Actual Plan, With Resources and Everything!)

 

My immediate, visceral reaction to the situation we find ourselves in—the silencing of marginalized voices, the entrenchment of oligarchic power, the systematic dismantling of our democracy—was something akin to Fight Club’s “Operation Mayhem.” A charismatic, schizophrenic figure inspiring an underground resistance to strike fear into the powers that be with acts of disruption and chaos designed to topple oppressive systems? I get it. It feels satisfying. Hell, it feels justified. But is it the most efficient, effective way to reclaim our democracy? Probably not.

In Fight Club, chaos worked. But in reality, we need more than destruction. We need a plan—a strategy that turns our anger into action and moves the needle in the face of systemic oppression. What follows is a viable alternative to “Operation Mayhem.” It’s a roadmap for immediate and existential change—rooted in nonviolent resistance but designed to be aggressive, disruptive, and impactful.

You may glance at the headers in this plan and think they sound lofty, maybe even aspirational to the point of being unrealistic. And I get it. These goals are what we strive to achieve. They represent the desired outcomes of this work, not a promise that the road will be easy or immediate. We acknowledge that simply stating these goals doesn’t solve anything—but each is paired with a concrete path forward, a way to take that first step toward dismantling the systems that oppress us.

And let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: one of the most sinister tools of the oligarchy we face today is its stranglehold on truth. Right-wing propaganda machines like Fox News pump out bold-faced lies daily, shaping public perception and reinforcing systemic inequality. Lies are not just tolerated; they are weaponized to protect the powerful and erase accountability. Confronting and dismantling this machinery of deception is as critical as any of the actions listed below.

This is the 10-point plan for reclaiming democracy, resisting oligarchy, and building a future where the voices of the oppressed cannot be silenced. It’s not about chaos for chaos’ sake; it’s about disrupting the systems that keep us powerless and rebuilding something better.

The 10-Point Plan for Immediate Change

1. Redistribute Wealth and Power (The Outcome We Strive For)

The ultra-rich control everything—from our laws to our lives—hoarding resources while the rest of us struggle. Real equality starts with economic justice.

  • Action: Organize rent strikes, boycott exploitative corporations, and push for wealth taxes and reparations.
  • Why It Matters: Economic power drives political power. Taking resources from the few and redistributing them is the foundation of systemic change.

2. Take Back Elections (What Democracy Demands)

When gerrymandering, voter suppression, and dark money dominate elections, democracy is dead. While these issues seem insurmountable, they can be addressed effectively from the grassroots.

How This Can Be Done from the Grassroots:

  • Organize Local Voting Initiatives: Partner with organizations like Fair Fight, Spread the Vote, or Vote.org to create hyper-localized campaigns in voter-suppressed areas. Train volunteers to assist with voter registration drives, educate voters on ID requirements, and offer transportation to polling places.
  • Monitor Election Boards: Recruit and train grassroots election monitors and volunteers to observe polling places and flag suppression tactics in real-time. Advocate for grassroots oversight of local redistricting processes, leveraging transparency laws to ensure accountability.
  • Fight Gerrymandering Locally: Pressure state legislatures to create independent redistricting commissions. Partner with advocacy groups like Common Cause or League of Women Voters to run workshops that teach communities how gerrymandering works and what tools (like public comments or local lobbying) they can use to demand fair maps.
  • Launch Civic Education Programs: From churches to community centers, grassroots groups can teach the importance of local elections, which often dictate district lines, voting access, and budget allocations for elections.

3. Build Parallel Systems of Survival (Our Communities Thriving Without Oppression)

We can no longer rely on broken institutions to meet our basic needs. Parallel systems—like mutual aid networks, alternative clinics, and food cooperatives—can empower communities while reducing dependence on exploitative systems.

Entities That Can Fund This Action:

  • Philanthropic Organizations: Many foundations are already aligned with the goal of community empowerment. Organizations like the Ford Foundation, Open Society Foundations, and MacArthur Foundation fund grassroots efforts to provide healthcare, housing, and education to underserved populations. Approach them with well-structured proposals that outline the long-term impact of mutual aid and community systems.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiatives: Some corporations, especially those with public-facing social justice agendas (e.g., Patagonia, Ben & Jerry’s), have funds dedicated to community-based projects. While these sources should be carefully vetted to avoid compromising independence, they can provide a boost to small-scale efforts.
  • Crowdfunding Platforms: Platforms like GoFundMe, Givebutter, and Patreon can be used to raise funds for mutual aid networks. Highlighting the immediate, local impact of these systems often resonates with small-dollar donors.
  • Community Wealth-Building Entities: Credit unions, local cooperatives, and worker-owned enterprises are increasingly investing in initiatives that strengthen local economies. For example, Self-Help Credit Union and The Working World provide loans and support to grassroots projects.
  • Government Grants for Community Resilience: Despite systemic flaws, some local and federal programs offer grants for food security, housing cooperatives, and public health projects. Programs like the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) can be leveraged to fund parts of these systems.

4. Expose and Dismantle Corruption (Shedding Light Where Darkness Thrives)

Corruption is the grease that keeps the machinery of oppression running. It must be exposed and eliminated.

  • Action: Support whistleblowers, use public records to uncover backroom deals, and launch protest campaigns targeting corrupt institutions.
  • Why It Matters: Corruption thrives in secrecy. Exposing it undermines the legitimacy of those in power.

5. Amplify Marginalized Voices (Centering the Voices That Matter Most)

The people most affected by systemic oppression must be at the forefront of the fight against it.

  • Action: Build platforms for marginalized communities to speak and lead. Fund independent media and host public forums.
  • Why It Matters: Centering marginalized voices challenges dominant narratives and forces systemic issues into the spotlight.

6. Seize Economic Leverage (Turning the Economy into a Weapon for Change)

The economy is a pressure point. If we disrupt the flow of money, we disrupt the system.

  • Action: Organize general strikes, boycott exploitative corporations, and redirect resources into community investment funds.
  • Why It Matters: Without our labor and spending, corporations lose their power. Striking at the economy forces change.

7. Deconstruct Oppressive Systems (Tearing Down the Engines of Injustice)

From militarized policing to for-profit prisons, these systems perpetuate violence and must be dismantled. Grassroots action is central to confronting and dismantling these oppressive systems.

How This Can Be Done from the Grassroots:

  • Defund Police Departments Locally: Pressure city councils to reallocate police budgets toward education, mental health, and housing. Local activism can create substantial budget shifts, as seen in cities like Minneapolis, where grassroots groups successfully lobbied for reallocations.
    • Tactics: Attend town hall meetings, organize petition drives, and use public records to analyze police budgets. Create campaigns to educate communities on how reallocating funds can reduce crime and improve quality of life.
  • Shut Down For-Profit Prisons: Grassroots groups can work with coalitions like Worth Rises and Prison Divestment Campaign to pressure local governments and businesses to end their ties to the private prison industry.
    • Tactics: Identify contracts between local governments and private prison operators, then organize campaigns to end those agreements. Publicize companies that profit from prison labor and organize boycotts to force them to divest.
  • Support Community Alternatives to Policing: Fund and advocate for grassroots-led safety initiatives such as violence interruption programs, unarmed crisis response teams, and community accountability boards. Partner with organizations like Cure Violence Global or CAHOOTS to pilot local programs.
    • Tactics: Host training sessions for community members to address conflict resolution, mental health crises, and de-escalation techniques without involving law enforcement.

8. Mobilize Digital Resistance (Owning the Battlefield of Information)

Surveillance and misinformation are tools of control. We must reclaim the digital space.

  • Action: Use encrypted communication, create decentralized networks, and expose tech companies enabling surveillance.
  • Why It Matters: Technology is a battleground for control. Securing it ensures we can organize safely and effectively.

9. Forge Global Solidarity (Building a Global Alliance for Justice)

The fight for justice is not confined to one nation.

  • Action: Partner with international human rights organizations, organize global boycotts, and expose U.S. abuses on the world stage.
  • Why It Matters: Global pressure strengthens local movements and creates accountability for oppressive regimes.

10. Demand Revolutionary Representation (The Leadership We Deserve)

Corrupt politicians won’t fix the system—they are the system.

  • Action: Run grassroots candidates, organize recall campaigns, and push for ranked-choice voting and term limits.
  • Why It Matters: True democracy is impossible when the people in power serve only the elite. We need representatives who represent us.



Here is a list of organizations, coalitions, and resources that can support grassroots efforts to enact the 10-point plan. These groups actively organize, fund, and provide tools for resistance and reform.

1. Redistribute Wealth and Power

2. Take Back Elections

3. Build Parallel Systems of Survival

4. Expose and Dismantle Corruption

5. Amplify Marginalized Voices

6. Seize Economic Leverage

7. Deconstruct Oppressive Systems

8. Mobilize Digital Resistance

9. Forge Global Solidarity

10. Demand Revolutionary Representation

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