DIY Dissent

DIY Dissent

How to Support Empowerment Collective Events

We are proud to keep our DIY Dissent events free, accessible, and community-powered. While we don’t accept monetary donations at this time, we do need to start relying on supply contributions to keep our events running smoothly and stocked with the tools people need to take action.

We’ve created the Amazon and Etsy wishlists below to highlight the items we use most often. We understand that Amazon is not everyone’s preferred platform, but it provides a quick and seamless way for donated supplies to ship directly to us in time for upcoming events.

💡 You are always welcome to use the wishlists as a guide and purchase from local stores instead. Any donated items, whether brought to the event or ordered online, make a direct impact and help us prepare for the next wave of action.

A few notes:

  • Amazon wishlist items can be shipped directly to us

  • Etsy orders may not offer direct delivery, so feel free to bring those items in person

  • We are flexible and grateful for all types of contributions

  • If you'd like to stay anonymous, you can send items without gift notes. We see you and thank you

Most Needed: HP Printer Ink

Printing our resource kits takes a toll, and ink is by far our most expensive and essential item.
Please only purchase official HP-brand cartridges listed in the wishlist. We’ve tested off-brand ink and unfortunately, our printer will not recognize it until an official HP cartridge is installed.

DIY Dissent: Controlled Chaos
Oct
4

DIY Dissent: Controlled Chaos

DIY Dissent: Controlled Chaos is not your average activist event. This is a resistance workshop for those who are burnt out, blacklisted, shadowbanned, or simply done playing nice. If you’re feeling the pressure of these times but still want to do something about it, this space was built for you.

We’ll cover strategic actions you can take right now, no matter your energy level, capacity, or experience. You’ll have access to local issue explainers, letter templates, resistance tactics, and small-group prompts to help you find your lane in the movement. Whether you’re loud, quiet, creative, analytical, or just plain angry, there is room for you here.

Expect:

  • 🔥 Civic action projects (letters, toolkits, and more)

  • 🎯 Resistance strategy and education

  • 🧠 Conversations around burnout and sustainability

  • 🕯️ An invitation into The Silent Underground, our new campaign for those who feel like they’re barely hanging on

This is a structured, limited-capacity workshop with space for only 30 participants. If you’ve attended our open house events in the past, this one will feel more focused, more intentional, and just a little more chaotic.

Please note: Because we are sharing this event across multiple platforms, you must complete our Google Form to officially register. This ensures we know exactly who is coming. If something comes up and you can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone else on the list.



FAQs:

  • Jim's Community Corner: a cozy, accessible community space right in the heart of Ferndale. Located right across the street from The Rust Belt on the west side of Woodward and 9 Mile Rd.

  •  Yes! Like all Empowerment Collective events, this is 100% free. We don’t accept cash donations, but if you’re feeling generous, we do have a wishlist of items that help us keep events like this running. You’ll find it on our website.

  • Yes, this is not an open-house event. It’s a structured experience with rotating small groups and guided activities. We ask that all attendees arrive by 9:00 AM and stay through the end (noon) to get the most from the experience and respect the group dynamic.

  • Because space is limited to 20 attendees, we ask everyone to complete a quick registration form so we can plan accordingly. This also helps us group participants and prepare supplies. If your plans change, please cancel your RSVP as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone else.

  • We’ll have water, coffee, cider, donuts and bagels on hand. Feel free to bring your own reusable water bottle or coffee cup!

  • Not this time. Because of the structured nature of this workshop, we ask that all attendees be age 16 or older.

  • You don’t need to bring anything, but if you’d like to donate postage stamps, blank notecards, or envelopes to support our letter-writing kits, we’ll gratefully accept them! All other materials will be provided.

  • Both! You’ll rotate through four small-group “Chaos Stations,” each with a different activity. You’ll be seated for most of it, but there will be light movement as groups rotate and explore.

  • We’d love that. You can join our ongoing work through Empowerment Collective or our partner group, Indivisible Fighting 9. Visit our website or check out our social links at https://linktr.ee/empowermentcollectivegroup.

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Rise Up Downriver Presents: DIY Dissent
Jul
26

Rise Up Downriver Presents: DIY Dissent

Rise Up Downriver Presents: DIY Dissent

An Empowerment Collective Protest Prep Event!

Join us for a free community sign-making event where art and activism collide. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming march, want to amplify your voice through visual protest, or just need a space to rage with purpose, DIY Dissent is your place.

📚 What to Expect

We will have a full spread of DIY Dissent resources available for anyone who stops by.

Materials include:

✅ Printed letter templates you can personalize and mail to your representatives
✅ A petition station with QR codes for current actions you can support
✅ Protest signs, stickers, and empowerment-themed handouts
✅ Quick reference guides on protest safety, contacting lawmakers, and digital security
✅ Educational printouts on current issues like reproductive rights, voting access, and the role of Congress
✅ Free envelopes, stamps, and pens so you can take action on the spot (If you can bring postage to share, it helps!)
✅ Empowerment Collective event flyers and upcoming dates

Everything is free to take and designed to make civic action more accessible, creative, and impactful.

Because silence isn’t our style, and compliance isn’t on the table.

 
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DIY Dissent
Jun
25

DIY Dissent

The Rebellion Collective’s: DIY Dissent

DIY Dissent: Rage Against the Regime
Hosted by Empowerment Collective

Drop in, gear up, and take action. We're responding to the latest U.S.-backed violence with an afternoon of creative protest and collective resistance.

  • Grab a protest sign kit

  • Fill out letters to reps or take templates home

  • Pick up fact-checked educational tools

  • Bring stamps to share (if you can, extras are always welcome... available while supplies last!)

Whether you're fired up or just figuring out how to help, this space is for you. Come as you are. Leave louder.

Potentially more collaborative partners to be announced...

Because silence isn’t our style, and compliance isn’t on the table.

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Indivisible Fighting 9 - NO KINGS Protest Support
Jun
14

Indivisible Fighting 9 - NO KINGS Protest Support

Indivisible Fighting 9 has invited us to host a table at the corner of 9 Mile and Woodward right outside of Comos. Come visit Jordan to learn more about Empowerment Collective and grab some educational toolkits!


We are supporting Indivisible Fighting 9 on Saturday, June 14th from 1-3PM. Follow this link for further details:

If attending, please consider attending the virtual ACLU "Know Your Rights" meeting on Tuesday, June 10th starting at 7PM. Following this link to RSVP:

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The Rebellion Collective Presents: DIY Dissent
Apr
26

The Rebellion Collective Presents: DIY Dissent

Make Signs. Make Noise. Make Change.

Formerly known as Pastries & Protest, we've rebranded this event to better match the energy and mission of our Rebellion Collective — a space for bold resistance, creative expression, and organized defiance.

Join us for a free community sign-making night where art and activism collide. Whether you're preparing for an upcoming march, want to amplify your voice through visual protest, or just need a space to rage with purpose, DIY Dissent is your place.

What to Expect:

  • 500+ blank posters available

  • Markers, stencils, paints & supplies

  • Sign ideas, slogans & creative inspo

  • Music, snacks, and powerful conversations

  • A community of people who care deeply and aren’t afraid to show it

Come as you are. Leave with a sign that says it all.

Because silence isn’t our style — and compliance isn’t on the table.

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Empowerment Collective Calendar