Starhawk's Activism Writings Page

Above: Quebec 2001 (photo by Lisa Fithian)

"Here you will find links to scores of archived pieces I have written on activism, including essays and communiques from the front lines."

Activism Resources
Activism Writings

Goddess/Pagan Resources

Permaculture/Nature Resources

Site Map

If you are interested in Starhawk's book Webs of Power: Notes from the Global Uprising, you can read about it on the Webs of Power page.

For information on Starhawk's other books, start at Writings Page.

There are now German/Deutsch translations of many of Starhawk's activism pieces available online (page will open in a new browser window). And yes, we hope to get other language translations too, but for now German is only one.

At left: "A photo I snapped in Brazil. It is first-hand experience of the effects of globalization on the third world that have made me an avid activist." --Starhawk

essays, articles, letters, and reports from the front lines

Palestine and Israel:

We now have a separate Israel/Palestine Page that includes all of Starhawk's writings on the subject, from spring 2002 to the present.

Republican National Convention actions Sep '08:

Blog #1 August 29 First Post from the RNC “On the Bad Side of Town”
Blog #2 August 30 “Raid on the Convergence Center”
ALERT August 31 from Starhawk : Police Seize Earth Activist Training Permaculture Demonstration Bus
Blog #3 August 31 “New Moon Ritual”
Blog #4 Sept. 2 “A Spiral Dance in the Streets”
Blog #5 Sept. 2 “Dancing with Delegates”
Blog #6 Sept. 3 “Peace Island and Poor Peoples' March”
Blog #7 Sept. 4 “More Updates from the RNC”
Blog #8 Sept. 5 “Friday Update from the RNC”
Blog #9 Sept. 6 “The Last March”

Oct. 2006:

"A Terrible Beauty - For Brad Will" At the time of Samhain, when the veil between the worlds is thin, Starhawk reflects on the tragic loss of this young activist, and the transformative effect death has on us all.

Katrina, New Orleans and the aftermath:

Collapse and Elections: My Lessons from Katrina -- In advance of the '08 elections, Starhawk examines the choices through the lens of her experiences with Katrina and its aftermath. (9.25.08)
Bioremediating New Orleans 4 - Doing It! -- Starhawk's final report describes the actual procedures for the soil cleansing, with information about a proposed plan for longterm restoration of the area.
Bioremediting New Orleans 3 - Miss Eva's House -- the front yard of a 95 year old resident is prepped for the remediating process.
A Valentine from New Orleans -- the first parade of the Mardi Gras season is contrasted with the ongoing struggles of residents who are attempting to rebuild their destroyed neighborhoods.
Bioremediating New Orleans - Round Two Begins -- Starhawk reports on her third trip to New Orleans and the ongoing efforts of many people to cleanse the environment naturally.
Bioremediation in New Orleans -- Starhawk's second trip to New Orleans included the cleansing of contaminated soil using natural methods, as well as other relief efforts.
The Gifts of Grief -- on the Friday before Halloween Starhawk examines grief, which can be a powerful force that can transform into compassion and action.
Who Will Take Out the Garbage? -- Starhawk's second New Orleans update exposes the government's lack of ability to help in the most basic of ways, and how an organized group of volunteers can make a huge difference.
Sunshine after Floodwater -- Starhawk's first New Orleans update describes the situation on the ground and the ongoing racial issues that hinder the rebuilding efforts.
Relief and Rebuilding after the Hurricanes -- Starhawk and many others have been in New Orleans to help with relief efforts. Included in this piece is the call to action from the Green Earth Cluster and links to essential relief websites.
A Pagan Response to Katrina -- the hurricane presents a dilemma: how do Pagans who worship Nature reconcile themselves with its destructive forces? Included is information on alternative organizations providing essential Katrina relief to those normally overlooked.

Casualties of War: Camp Casey and New Orleans is about Starhawk's September visit to the anti-war camp at Crawford, TX on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's landfall.

G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland '05:

Starhawk's G8 Scotland Journals: Daily updates from behind the scenes and by the barricades of the actions and eco-village outside the G8 Gleneagles Summit --11 entries in all.
Plans for the G8 Summit -- the first message from Starhawk about the G8 actions and the alternative Cre8 Summit.
Notes on the Permaculture at the HoriZone Ecovillage Starhawk's preliminary report on the activists' EcoVillage from the summer '05 G8 actions -- what worked and what didn't.

pieces about the '04 Presidential Election:

Ride Out to Meet Them: Some Post-Election Thoughts: a month after the US election, Starhawk speaks out about the need to forge ahead to make essential changes for the future.
The Road Forward: Starhawk weighs in on the results of the national election, and discusses how we can move forward together to make the critical difference.
The Good Road -- on Election Eve -- a message from Starhawk on the eve of the national US presidential election.
Be the Wind: on the Upcoming Elections -- Starhawk writes about this critical time for progressives, discussing what should be done to insure that the election is free and fair.

Republican National Convention actions Aug/Sep '04:

Guantanamo on the Hudson - the second installment of Starhawk's account of the trip to jail when arrested at the RNC actions in New York.
Remember Me to Herald Square - the first installment of Starhawk's account of the Herald Square action and subsequent trip to jail.
Out of Jail -- Keep Support Coming - after being released from jail, Starhawk comments on the experience and asks for continuing support contacting the NYC Mayor and Police Commisioner's office.
An Incredible Day - the ninth update from the RNC actions in New York: Sunday's march was a huge success!
The Web - the eighth update from the RNC actions in New York: in advance of Sunday's big march, the Pagan Cluster has a powerful ritual in St. Mark's yard.
Bikes and Bones - the seventh update from the RNC actions in New York: police attack bicyclists during "critical mass" ride, includes contact information to let city officials know this cannot be tolerated.
A Great Beginning!! - the sixth update from the RNC actions in New York: the DNC to RNC march arrives in NYC!
Democracy Daunted - the fifth update from the RNC actions in New York: activists make plans after the permit is denied for the Central Park rally. Includes a schedule of street trainings through Aug. 31.
Action Bardo - the fourth update from the RNC actions in New York - includes a report on the “Are You an Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You.” panel that occurred on Aug. 23rd
War, Fear, and Life after Capitalism -- the third update from the RNC actions in New York.
Power and Anarchy -- the second update from the RNC actions in New York.
The First Update from the actions in New York before the Republican Convention!
Starhawk's New York Action Call includes information on how to support the protetsters.
At the Crossroads discusses the demonstrations at the Republican Convention, including a call to action and links for more info.

Reclaim the Commons mobilization June '04:

Starhawk's final installment about Reclaim the Commons takes a look at the EcoActions that helped transform San Francisco for a few days in June.
Starhawk tells of the street actions for June's Reclaim the Commons, and explains some of the reasons why people are in the streets.
Starhawk tells of the street actions for June's Reclaim the Commons, and explains some of the reasons why people are in the streets.
Starhawk continues her daily journal of the Reclaim the Commons mobilization: behind the scenes with demos and her favorite action, "the Really, Really Free Market."
"We've Begun!" Starhawk writes her daily journal of the Reclaim the Commons mobilization, juxtaposing Martha Stewart with Monsanto.
Why is Reclaiming the Commons (the June mobilization in San Francisco) taking on such a wide agenda? How can progressives reframe crucial questions? Read "Forging a New Political Language."
In part three of "Travellers' Tales from Possible," Alice continues her quest to return to the mean and dirty "real" reality she knows, but first must run a torturous gamut of happy kids.
In part two of "Travellers' Tales from Possible," Alice wonders who takes out the garbage in a really, really free market.
"Reclaim the Commons" -- Info and appeal on the Reclaim the Commons mobilzation in San Francisco, June 4-9, is followed by Starhawk's first fiction in ages: "Travellers' Tales from Possible 1." It's the first installment of a funny, wise, and delightful serial. Not to be missed!

Activism and Spirituality:

Starhawk is often asked WHY spiritual people should be politically active (even though most of her life's work and writings are on exactly that subject). Reprinted from Reclaiming Quarterly. We also have a SPANISH/ESPANOL translation available.

Sacramento, June '03:

The Arrest of the Seed Balls-or What Universe Are We Living In? Starhawk reports the Sacramento police's discovery of "lethal weapons" made by guerrilla gardeners. Beneath it all are two conflicting perceptions of reality: the mechanistic model promoted by industrial agriculture, and the complex web of relationships seen by physicists and indigenous peoples alike. Which do *you* choose?

Organizing against the war in Iraq:

Mar. 17 '06: Rachel Corrie - a Sad Day -- on the third anniversary of the death of Rachel Corrie and the invasion of Iraq, Starhawk attempts to make sense of the monstrous actions of humanity.
March 5 '03: The River Of Life, a fable written for the March 8 Code Pink protests in Washington, D.C. .
February 19 '03: Starhawk has written a detailed account of the Anti-war protests that occurred Feb. 15 in New York City -- check it out!
February 5 '03: Read the inspirational piece "The Choice Before Us". In anticipation of the February 15/16 peace actions, Starhawk writes about how each and every voice is absolutely critical if we are to turn the tide against the upcoming war.
January 22 '03: Starhawk has written a detailed account of the Anti-war protests that occurred Martin Luther King Weekend in Washington, D.C. -- check it out!
January 9 '03: Why We Need Women’s Actions and Feminist Voices for Peace -- Starhawk writes on the need for women around the world to rise up against war and oppression.
November 22: Rivers of Blood, Rivers of Life a report on the Bay Area Anti-War Coalition's successful rally and action that took place in San Francisco on November 18.
October 23: What We Did When They Voted for War Starhawk writes about the successful anti-war action in front of the Federal Building in SF, the day the house voted to support the war in Iraq.
October 21: Code Pink: Women's Pre-Emptive Strike for Peace Read this inspirational call to Action against the war with Iraq -- includes "A Code Pink Diary" by Starhawk
October 7: How to Plan an Action: if you are upset about the drive towards war with Iraq, here are some suggestions for planning small actions that will make a difference!
October 7: Support for Civil Disobedience reminders about what to do before and during direct actions.

FTAA action in Miami, November '03:

Miami: More Thoughts -- Two weeks after the Miami police riots, Starhawk analysizes the big picture: what was actually gained, the New American Fascism, the hope, and the risks.
Starhawk's Miami Journals: Daily updates from behind the scenes and by the barricades of the recent FTAAO mobilization in Miami, Florida. Included are links to calls and various related pieces.
In Gearing Up for the Miami FTAA Mobilization Starhawk provides updated info on the needs for donations for both the FTAA actions in Florida and the upcoming Earth Activist Training in January.
Written before the FTAA, Free Trade Area of the Americas action, in Miami -- November 17-21, followed by the School of the Americas protest in Fort Benning Georgia, November 22-23, Starhawk's From Cancun to the Miami FTAA Mobilization: Victory’s Strategic Momentum includes some essential inspiration and all the details.

WTO action in Cancun, September '03:

Starhawk's Cancun Journals: Daily updates from behind the scenes and by the barricades of the recent WTO mobilization in Cancun, Mexico -- 20 entries in all!
In Why You Should Come to Cancun, Starhawk provides the necessary background information on the current plans of the WTO, and why this particular action is so critical at this time.

World Bank/IMF demos, Washington, DC:

Breaking the Evil Spell, a myth of a far-away place and time -- right here, right now. Written by Starhawk for the Washington DC actions. (Sept. 27, 02)
Linking the Bank and the War: Why go To Washington? Starhawk and many others were in Washington in late September, 2002, to take part in a people's summit and mass demonstrations. This essay discusses the connections between globalization, war, the IMF/World Bank, and the pervading atmosphere of fear in America. (August 26, 02)
Getting Our Tactics Right Thoughtful analysis and strategies for the street: Is "diversity of tactics" actually neither? What is strategic nonviolence? Lessons learned from the summer G8 protests in Calgary. (August 4, 02).

G8 Summit in Calgary, Canada (June, 2002):

The "Calgary Short Report" is a beautifully detailed account of the blending of magic and activism. In a city drenched with fear, the Pagan Cluster rises (and slithers and cavorts) to the occasion.
"Solstice in Calgary" The Summer Solstice is one of the Witches' holy days. What is it like to celebrate it during a G8 Summit mobilization? Powerful. This article tells how it was done and what it was like.
Although Starhawk wrote "A Strategic Moment" in May to help galvanize the impending G8 protests, it remains a timeless perspective on the need to balance local activism with global issues.

globalization, the movement, and the big picture:

July 2002: "Turning the Trolls to Stone: Strategy for the Global Justice Movement" What is the single most powerful weapon progressives have against the increasing hegemony of global corporations? The answer may surprise you. Just think back to some of your favorite tales...
Alphabet Soup: The Institutions of Globalization NAFTA, FTAA, WTO, G8, WB, and IMF: a handy guide to who's who.
Five reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) How many do you need?
Spells and Counterspells: Why Act Now? Keeping hope (when the news is all bad)
Spirals: How to Conjure Justice Notes from the front lines, home lines, and between the lines
Police Lessons On protesting smarter, not harder
Cutting Down the Pines A lesson in global sustainability from California Native Americans
Organizing in the Face of Increased Repression On strategy, organizing, and beauty on the streets
Hermana Cristina's Well Effects of global corporatism on everyday lives in poor countries

after 9-11:

Hold the Vision Essay written three days after September 11, 2001
Only Poetry Can Address Grief Moving forward after 9-11. This is a MUST read!
Letter to the Military Pagan Network Is war justified? Can we separate war from the warriors?
Note on the Eve of Equinox Visit to New York City, September 16, 2001

adventure at the Canadian border (Jan. 2002):

Detention at the Canadian Border first report on the incident
Starhawk and Lisa's experience at the Canadian border resulted in Passcode Redwood: Keeping Repression in Perspective, part thoughtful reflection, part strategic notes.

WEF protests, NYC (Jan-Feb. 2002):

Notes on how to form a Pagan Cluster -- How it was done for New York City WEF protests
Starhawk's LONG report: New York -- Saturday and Beyond
Reflections on a terrific, if chaotic, ritual on the streets: Report on the Feb 1 Brigid Ritual

more reports from the streets:

Report back from Ottawa Three days of actions against the IMF, the World Bank, and the G2 (November 20, 2001)
What we did in DC A brief report on activism and magic on the streets of Washington, DC (September 2001)
Vandenberg Update Legal action against protesters by Federal Government! (June 2001)
Two reports of the A16 IMF/World Bank action in Washington DC (April 16, 2001):

A16 account by Starhawk
What I learned from the World Social Forum Report from Brazil, Jan 2001

Genoa reports (July, 2001):

Two Genoa reports, written from the scene by Starhawk:
Genoa part 1 -- July 20
Genoa part 2 -- July 21
After Genoa Why we need to stay in the streets!
Facism in Genoa Reflections from one week after the events
Supporting the Survivors of Genoa Surviving and healing from trauma

Quebec City reports (April 2001):

The Bridge At Midnight Trembles Starhawk's account of protests at Quebec City
Quebec City: Beyond Violence and Nonviolence On "diversity of tactics," ethics, and effectiveness

WTO articles -- Seattle, 1999:

Open Letter to the Pagan Community First report from Seattle, 1999
How We Really Shut Down the WTO Analysis and street-eye view of events in Seattle
A Witch at the WTO Explores the mix of earth religion, magic, and activism
Initiation Protest and arrest as a journey to the underworld... and through

classic Starhawk: some archived essays and tidbits:

Why I Plan to Vote This November: Even when it seems like too much trouble and doesn't make any difference anyway, hauling your butt to the polls still counts. Here's why. (Oct. '98)
Notes from Bioregional Congress, Mexico A short, lovely account of the conference and a spiral dance chanted in Spanish, excerpted from a posted letter of Starhawk's. (Nov. '96)

Starhawk writes about the Dec. '03 San Francisco Mayoral Election:

Why I Voted for Matt: Starhawk examines what is at stake in the SF mayoral runoff election, and why she cast an absentee ballot for Matt Gonzalez before heading off to Australia.