AFT Higher Education Mass Mobilization and Nonviolent Direct Action Training

President Tony Johnston and Local 1600 Staff, Alex Schuler and Juan Ramos, traveled to Washington, D.C. this May for a union training focused on mass mobilization, nonviolent direct action, and organizing under rising authoritarianism. 

As we walked through the hotel lobby, Juan nodded toward the TV. “Did you see this? Seventy-five Columbia students were dragged off the Columbia lawn in zip ties” What does “mass mobilization” mean in a time like this? 

AFT’s Higher Education Mass Mobilization and Nonviolent Direct Action Training brought together teachers, union organizers, and staffers from across the country for a crash course in what it means to fight deliberately, collectively, and with care in an increasingly authoritarian United States.

We learned from organizers who’ve moved thousands into action and built coalitions out of chaos. A student strike here. A teach-in there. And always, the golden rule: show up. Please. Even if you're tired. Especially if you're scared.

Chicago educators are famous for taking the streets. But nobody wins a fight if folks are hurt or dehydrated. We got hands-on with street medic training: learning how to treat injuries when police use violent tactics to disperse us. Attendees from Local 1600 even left with First Aid Certification and a brand new street medic bag!

We ended with movement. Locking arms. Breathing together. Feeling what it means to trust the person beside you — not in metaphor, but in physical reality. 

How close are you with your union siblings? These are the people who see you every day who know your workplace issues. Your stress. Your fight. These are your protectors, and the people you’re responsible to protect. 

We don't need a crystal ball to know where this is headed. The question is: Who will be there? And who will bring the snacks?

Want to build power in your chapter? The 2025 Summer Organizing Institute will dive deep into contract campaigns, chapter organizing, and real-world mobilization strategies—grounded in the same urgency and solidarity we practiced here. Reach out to Alex (aschuler@ccctu.org) or Juan (jramos@ccctu.org) to learn more.