When we talked Anti Flag’s Chris #2 about the band’s new album, American Fall, we heard a lot about getting out, making a difference, and bringing change to the areas that need it most. The activist/musician even gave us a list of the best ways you can join the good fight, so we could share it with you.
“Our go-tos as far as gateway drugs to activism…”
Amnesty International
“Its network is huge, it’s so easy to get involved. If you’re feeling like you don’t wanna go and meet someone face to face, if you’re not prepared for that yet, their online petition section is incredible, and it actually and truly saves lives. You can see their petition work happen in real time and it’s really powerful. So I would start there, and then from there you can extrapolate into being a part of their local chapters.”
Sea Shepherd
“Sea Shepherd is a great organization that does marine wildlife conservation and ocean conservation.”
Green Peace
“Green Peace is another one that we work with, and these are kind of the big three because they’re so powerful that they’ve got an online infrastructure that’s easy for people to engage in activism for the first time.”
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When you’re not ready to dive into activism in person, Chris says these organizations offer helpful alternatives.
“Activism can kind of feel like a competition… You get into your own head, and this is kind of a safe way to be like, ‘Well I wanna see what this feels like.’ I truly believe that people learn that activism is a good time, that you get to be around other people that feel the way that you feel. It’s a further reaffirmation that we’re not alone in this world and that people have the same problems and struggles and tribulations that you do, and if you’re going through something 99% of the time someone’s gone through the same thing as well. We can rely on them and their expertise, and share our stories together.”
Once you’ve dipped your feet into the waters of helping out, there are a couple more places Chris hopes you’ll reach out to.
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Safer Scenes
“There’s Safer Scenes, who we had out on Warped Tour with us. They were doing some really cool work to help with sexual violence that happens at shows, and just the awareness and the conversations around sexual violence.”
A Voice For The Innocent
“They do similar work (as Safer Scenes), just from a different view. Those are kind of like the top ones that we’ve been having out around us as we travel the world. “
