Affinity groups are small, autonomous activist groups with a common cause. They engage in direct action and creative activities to promote their beliefs, and members treat each other as equals. Affinity groups started in Spain in the 19th century and became popular during the US antiwar movement.
Affinity groups refer to small activist groups with typically five to twenty members fighting for a cause. They are self-governing, which means no larger organization controls them or sets their agenda. Anyone can actually form a self-contained affinity group with their close friends, family, neighbors, or co-workers. They can engage in activities, called “direct action,” that promote their beliefs.
Some of the activities an affinity group typically engages in are rallies, roadblocks, street theater, tree sit, banner throwing or musical numbers at activist gatherings. They can also serve as a backup for larger Mass Actions and other affinity groups. Some of these groups also carry out charitable activities. One example is when doctors form an affinity group to help feed street people and meet their medical needs.
Affinity groups are effective because members are passionate about their cause. And because they are autonomous, they can let their creativity fly without being dictated by a formal organization that says what they can and cannot do. Their creativity, independence, passion and idealism are the driving forces within an affinity group.
It also often happens that creative and artistic people form an affinity group. As such, they can make their voice heard and noticed when they sing their cause, make creative posters and art pieces. These types of actions help drive their message home or create productions that showcase their talents while also delivering a thoughtful message.
Affinity groups are loosely organized, with no formal hierarchy. All members treat each other as equals fighting for a common goal, just like comrades in a revolutionary group. But there are common roles found in most of these groups. Members can take on roles such as that of a doctor, legal observer, media man, traffic officer, and an “action elf” or “vibe watcher” – someone who generally looks after each member’s well-being handing out bottles of water, rubbing backs and cheering everyone on. Other members may provide support in prison when someone in their group is arrested. Interestingly, some members may even be “possible to arrest” – those who are willing to spend some time in jail if picked up by the police.
Historically, affinity groups started in the 19th century in Spain. The Spanish anarchists called grupos de afinidad were perhaps the first affinity groups ever. In the 1919s and 1960s, similar groups became very popular during the US antiwar movement. They later spread to university campuses, carrying anti-war propaganda or simply fighting for religious, gender, ethnic and animal rights.
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