Reflections on Marshall’s UK Book Tour

Earlier this year, our partner organization Act Build Change (ABC) brought together 100 organizers from across the UK for the launch of Marshall Ganz’s new book, People, Power, Change.

Organizers working on climate justice, racial equity, housing, and migrant rights filled the room for what participants lovingly called the “Solidarity Sauna”.

Marshall opened by naming we’re in a “rock bottom moment”—mentioning how such moments of unraveling are not about tweaking old systems, but forcing us to rethink them entirely. Throughout the day, participants and organizers exchanged interactions on challenges and celebrations.

Amina Gichinga led everyone in a freedom song, ‘Si Se Puede’; claps echoed through the room, and conversations flowed between breakout sessions. The energy was so strong that conversations continued until late evening, and people simply didn’t want to leave.

Photo by: Act Build Change.

Key takeaways Marshall shared:

• Hope is not something you have, it’s something you DO
• Power comes from the influence of the interdependence we build
• Transformational relationships require commitment
• The work of building people’s power doesn’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect plan. It starts now, with what we have.

⚡About Act Build Change (ABC):

Act Build Change is a network of people and collectives all across the UK to make care-centred community organizing methods accessible to the masses, focusing particularly on those closest to the issues. Their team has supported victories for systemic change from local to national levels, with accessibility, intersectionality, and collective care as pillars of their work.