A Letter To New York Actionists and Affinity Groups

early February, 2026

Repression chills, and so can the cold. While our work changes with the seasons, our compass must always point to the streets, where revolutions are won. In that spirit, below is a suggestion—a dare—for us to act before the spring equinox.

LET’S DARE EACH OTHER TO GET IN THE STREETS THIS WEEK, and to return often over the next eight weeks. Do what you already know how to do outside, whether it involves flyers, paint, ice picks, or lighters. Take advantage of the many layers of head and hand coverings it is acceptable to wear. So-called Minneapolis shows us that our people are vulnerable and our enemies will not wait until spring. We cannot afford to hibernate, and we cannot afford to let our tools gather dust. This is not a call to abandon mutual aid and defensive work in order to go on the offensive. It is a reminder that we must practice both, especially when conditions are harsh. Winter is a time to test our revolutionary will.

LET’S DARE EACH OTHER TO PERFECT THE FUNDAMENTALS. Meet weekly with whoever you know who is prepared to adopt more threatening tactics, and commit to each others’ development. It’s important to know how to work with numb fingers and to how to hide when the snow is like a spotlight in the park. Know how to set a security baseline. How to select goals and tactics. How to model and mitigate threats. How to acquire materials. How to ditch your phone and leave no trace. How to send a communique. How to respond to a door knock or a raid. These are fundamental skills that demand our excellence. Study the gaps in your training and practice these skills until they become second nature.

REMEMBER, adverse conditions hurt our enemies more than they hurt us. When the temperature drops, cops retreat to their vehicles and security guards duck indoors. They are not paid well enough to fight the cold. So embrace the adversity, because our enemies can’t. To win, our will for freedom must be stronger than any passing storm. We can fight better in the winter because we carry a fire in our hearts.

DARE TO ACT QUICKLY, TRAIN HARD, AND LET THE FROST BITE.

Submitted anonymously.