To accomplish our mission, AIA’s direct action takes a multi-pronged approach. As with any movement for change, a diversity of tactics is important for success. First and foremost, we employ regular efforts at good old fashioned community service. Small actions like community cleanups help to show the city that anarchism is about helping others. Through high-visibility and low-commitment activity
like this, we can demonstrate to people how easy it is to get engaged and leave their city better than they found it. The second part of AIA’s strategy incorporates long-term projects which take research, dedication, and getting our hands dirty. These projects are intended to establish sustainable and independent “parallel systems” that put responsibility and accountability back into the hands of local communities. This is also a great way to encourage sustainability in the way we as a society conduct our lives, and to remind of the importance of environmental stewardship of both our natural and human-made environment. Lastly, Anarchy In Action makes a point to lend a hand to other groups with whom we share common goals. We believe in the South American anarchist ideal of “especifismo,” which insists on the creation of a specifically anarchist ideological organization such as that argues for a coherent anarchism, while participating in action for broad social good. There are many amazing and inspiring groups in Buffalo that already work toward great things.