We gathered on July 11 & 12 in Chicago to hear from movement speakers and to learn from each other at activist workshops so we can deepen our skills & strengthen connections across the country between our groups.

Speakers for plenaries were announced here.

Conference program can be downloaded here.

Day 1 Saturday, July 11

8:30 - 9:30 AM Registration & Breakfast

9:30 AM Welcome & Greetings

10 - 11:15 AM Opening Panel

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM Workshop 1 choices:

• Lessons in Campaign Building (Main Hall)

• ¡HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE! Building Solidarity with Latin America (Executive 1)

• Approaching Ports and Port Workers (Executive 2)

12:30 - 1:45 PM Lunch

1:45 - 3 PM Panel - Link to video of Organizing Against War Profiteers

3:15 - 4:15 PM Workshop 2 choices:

• How to be in Coalitions and Build your Work (Main Hall)

• Design matters: Using graphic design and zines to build the anti-war movement (Executive 1)

• Solidarity Not Charity: How to effectively fundraise in your campaigns (Executive 2)

4:30 - 5:45 PM Closing Panel - The Growing BDS Movement

5:45 PM Closing and logistical announcements for next day

Day 2 Sunday, July 12

8:30 AM Breakfast

9 -10 AM Workshop 3 choices:

• Media Relations 101: Strategies, tools, and tips for organizing (Executive 1)

• US out of Africa: Fighting US imperialism in Africa (Executive 2)

• Marshalling 201: Advanced marshaling skills and how to build up marshaling capacity in your community (Lobby)

10:15 AM Anti-War Action Network business:

Steering committee election

Resolutions and solidarity statements

https://tinyurl.com/2026AWANresolutions

PDFs can be found here 

Here is the link for parents/ guardians to register for childcare: https://bit.ly/AWAN26childcare

¡HASTA LA VICTORIA SIEMPRE! Building Solidarity with Latin America

Allison Gunderson, Arroyo & Linden Garcia-Torres (WAMM MN), Jim Byrne (Tucson AWC), & Tom Burke (AWAN Steering Committee)

As US imperialism ramps up its aggression and war in Latin America and the Caribbean, anti-war organizations need to be ready to respond! Learn about building relationships with labor unions and community groups, organizing peace delegations, and active campaigns to free Venezuelan and Colombian political prisoners of the U.S. Empire. This workshop will discuss how groups can oppose U.S. intervention and war through teach-ins, rallies, and contingents at "No Kings" rallies. Panelists will talk about international solidarity with Venezuela, Cuba and Colombia.

Marshalling 201: Advanced marshaling skills and how to build up marshaling capacity in your community

Marshaling 201 workshop is being presented by Rose Boaz and Jo Pico from Detroit Anti War Committee, Lana Ksionek from Green Bay Anti War Committee and Christine Hauschildt from Minnesota Anti War Committee

This workshop will go through the roles of a marshal and valuable skills for marshaling, including deescalation tactics, placement strategies for crowd safety and police line evasion, and communication tips/tools. It will also discuss ways to increase marshaling capacity, and build up marshaling efforts within nearby activist groups to raise the level of organization throughout the community.

Lessons in Campaign Building

Nick & Christine Farah (NOSHIP), Detroit AWC, Chicago AWC

Campaigns are a fundamental part of sustained organizing, but how do you get started and address the bumps along the way? In this workshop, attendees will get answers to these questions as three different campaigns discuss lessons learned in the struggle and their strategies for success.

Approaching Ports and Port Workers

Jacksonville Palestine Solidarity Network, Charleston - Elbit Out of SC

JPSN and EOSC facilitating a discussion on the role of East Coast ports for their Anti-war efforts. The workshop will have 2 main parts. EOSC will discuss lessons learned from their attempts to engage ILA local 1422 to shut down an Elbit factory. JPSN will lead a discussion of various tools they have used to study weapons shipments and facilitate a breakout activity to practice with these tools.

Design matters: Using graphic design and zines to build the anti-war movement

Ryan Delaney (Jax Palestine Solidarity Network), Philip Nguyen (San Jose Against War) & Nick Tolliver (MN Anti War Committee)

Learn fundamental graphic design concepts and particularly how graphic elements such as color, fonts, composition and textures assist in conveying information effectively to your followers and increase attendance at events. This workshop will also focus on how to design engaging, effective promotional and educational material such as zines to mobilize people to join your local anti-war movement and better understand your campaigns.

How to be in Coalitions and Build your Work

Meredith Aby (MN AWC/ WAMM), Wyatt Miller, Layna Crandell (MN AWC) and Michela Martinazzi (Brooklyn Against War)

Coalitions can be a place where disfunction and partisanship can fester. They can also be a place to develop a healthy city wide movement. Coalitions can drain our groups but they can also help sustain them. Come to this workshop to hear how coalition work can be done well. We will cover what it takes to run an anti-war campaign when you’re surrounded by many other organizations that have been established longer than yours. Additionally, what it takes to take leadership of a campaign in a big city where things could get swallowed by other events.

US out of Africa: Fighting US imperialism in Africa

Nick Tolliver & Khrys Wetzel (MN AWC)

This workshop will be focused on educating anti war activists about the US Empire in Africa and how activists and their organizations can join the fight against US imperialism in Africa and how to connect Pan-African anti-imperialism to their other important antiwar work.  We talk about the Minnesota Anti War Committee experiences engaging in African focused anti war activism and how we connected with other groups already doing the work.

Media Relations 101: Strategies, Tools, and Tips for Organizing

Kayla Kuo and Hayley Angel from Milwaukee AWC

This workshop will teach attendees about media relations and why it’s important for anti-war organizing. We’ll walk through different skills for media relations and provide examples of successes and challenges from the Milwaukee Anti-war Committee. There will be time for a discussion at the end to share and learn best practices and advice from other cities and anti-war groups.

Solidarity Not Charity: How to Effectively Fundraise in your Campaigns

Jessie Plichta (PSGR), Cole Dunahugh (Portland for Palestine)

It is important to fundraise for grassroots organizing and for people ravaged by U.S. led war without losing your campaign goals. This workshop will show how to effectively raise funds while maintaining the political aspects of your organization’s work.

After the conference on Saturday, join us at District Brew Yards (417 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL), a 15 minute walk or 3 minute drive from CTU hall for an optional social. This brewery also offers cafeteria-style barbecue food options for those who want to get dinner here and / or prefer not to drink. The event is free entry for AWAN participants—individuals will need to pay for their own drinks and / or food. It is open to individuals under 21. District Brew Yards accepts digital payments only (credit / debit), no cash. We hope to see you there!

This AWAN Chicago Guide is still being updated but you can take a look to start you're trip planning!  https://canva.link/AWANChicagoGuide It includes: 

• 📝 Conference agenda 

• 🔨 Workshop info

• 🏡 Housing & hotel info 

• ✈️ Airport Resources 

• 🚌 Public Transit Info 

• 🏙️ Things to do in Chicago

• 🍣 Food & bev near CTU

Hotel Chicago West Loop

📍 1622 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60612

💵 $200-$300/night

🚍 30-minute walk / 20-minute bus ride + walk

hotelchicagowestloop.com 

Chicago Avenue Inn

📍 3305 W Chicago Ave #2, Chicago, IL 60651

💵 $180-$300/night

🚍 30-minute bus ride + walk

chicagoavenueinn.com

The Shamrock

📍 1212 S Cicero Ave, Cicero, IL 60804

💵 $200-$300/night

🚍 50-minute bus/train ride

theshamrockcicero.com

Courtyard by Marriott Chicago at Medical District/UIC

📍 625 S Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60607

💵 $300/night

🚍 30-minute walk / 20-minute bus ride + walk

marriott.com

Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago Medical District UIC

📍 710 S Seeley Ave, Chicago, IL 60612

💵 $300-$400/night

🚍 30-minute walk / 15-minute bus ride

hilton.com

Parthenon Guest House (Hostel)

📍 310 S Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60661

💵 $150-$170/night

🚍 30-minute bus ride

chicagoparthenonhostel.com

Freehand Chicago (Hostel/Hotel)

📍 19 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611

💵 $80-$300/night

🚍 30-minute bus ride

freehandhotels.com/chicago

Ohio House Motel

📍 600 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

💵 $250-$300/night

🚍 30-minute bus ride

ohiohousemotel.com

Grand House (“Creative House”)

📍 840 W Grand Ave Upper Floor, Chicago, IL 60642

💵 $250-$350/night

🚍 40-minute walk / 15-minute bus ride

grandhouse424.com