FROM OUR MOVEMENTS:
Reality, Response, and Recommendations
1
Safety & Security
Historically, organizations seeking justice for marginalized communities have experienced multiple forms of harassment, intimidation, and attacks by those in power. But across our movement partners and ecosystems, we are now seeing an increase of physical, verbal, and digital forms of violence, threat, harassment, and intimidation from both the state and emboldened vigilantes. These are obvious attempts to undermine the work of social justice organizations and silence communities of color.
These threats and attacks have expanded beyond targeting specific organizations and individuals. Groups are also experiencing damage or destruction of land, crops, facilities, and other assets—amounting to incredibly costly and stressful conditions. Our communities have long known that the legal system alone will not protect us, making it even more essential that grassroots groups have resources and skills to protect themselves.
Among survey respondents:
Out of 18 ‘capacity’ categories, physical security protocols and digital security protocols ranked among the highest in needing assistance. (see Appendix A for more on the ‘capacity’ categories).
57% have encountered threats to their safety and security, such as hate mail, doxxing, phishing, property destruction, etc.
57%
91%
91% have had to adopt new security practices (such as hiring security for personnel, installing security cameras, and removing identifiable information from websites, materials, and signage) and change how they talk about their work to mitigate risk or loss because of the current political climate.
“We are very worried about the safety of our community. We have had many encounters with aggressive individuals during events and at our facilities.”
— Chief Development Director, Restorative Economies Fund grantee partner
Anonymous postcards containing threatening messages were sent to Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) and other immigrant worker organizations on January 21, 2025. Photos courtesy of Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga
“[The current political climate] is tough, and it seems to keep changing. Once we adapt and understand the condition, it gets worse. We are uncertain of the next three years and if we can keep up with the needs of our community.”
— Executive Director, Environmental Justice Resourcing Collective grantee partner
“We are on constant high alert. Every day we don't know if everyone will make it to work and back home safely. It's a nightmare!”
— Founder, Mindfulness and Healing Justice grantee partner
Kataly’s Response
Workshop Series
Led by movement lawyers from Gilmore Khandhar and Sustainable Economies Law Center, with project management support from Sage Tide, Safeguarding Liberation is a virtual 5-part workshop series that will provide Kataly movement partners an opportunity to learn about organizational security and safety, and provide coaching hours with lawyers.
Resource Database
Kataly’s Capacity Building team sends out a monthly newsletter with a standing section on Grantee Safety and Protection that routes grantees to a password protected webpage on Kataly’s website with resources, toolkits, and trusted providers.
Resource Allocation
In April 2025, Kataly launched its Solidarity and Resilience Fund, which aims to:
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Safeguard and support the resilience of Kataly’s grantee partners
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Bolster and strengthen movement infrastructure
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Prevent and/or address loss of critical rights and resources
To date, we have redistributed over $4M across four key priorities:
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Legal Consultation and Defense
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Security Assessment & Readiness
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Protection for Individuals & Grassroots Employers
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Infrastructure Building
Calls to Action
Provide supplementary funding to existing grantees to create, staff, and implement a safety plan for their organization
The cost varies based on organizational size (number of employees, budget size, geographic reach, etc.) and the extent to which a group is likely to be targeted based on the nature of their work, who they employ, and the communities they support. We recommend grants in the range of $100,000–$300,000 to enable groups to engage expert technical assistance providers, to purchase online services and platforms (data broker removal services, managed security service provider, email security platforms, etc.), and to train (and test) staff and members on best practices.
Resource movement networks and alliances
To maximize impact and reach, resource movement networks and alliances that build and implement safety protocols for themselves and their member organizations. Examples include: Climate Justice Alliance, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, and Right to the City.
Support movement-aligned technical assistance providers
Support movement-aligned technical assistance providers, which many groups are seeking support from to build values-aligned safety practices and protocols instead of relying on law enforcement. Because of the long history of state violence the police and other agencies have perpetrated against Black and Indigenous communities, and all communities of color, many grassroots groups do not see law enforcement as a trusted resource.
Examples include: Vision, Change, Win; Equality Labs; Progressive Technology Project, Democracy Security Project, and the Civil Society Rights & Resiliency Project.
Offer non-financial support
Intentionally check-in and listen to grantees in order to validate and bear witness to their experiences. Facilitate connections between like-minded consultants or other grantees whenever possible.