SHUTDOWN 315

The Shutdown315 Movement started as a small group of individuals on a Signal group chat on the eve of January 18th, 2025; in the moments before Tiktok went dark. Since then it has grown into a decentralized national movement across the US, with some people requesting for the movement to go global. We have no formal leadership structure. We have participating people who are ambitious and ready to do what it takes to take care of their fellow Americans. We have individuals who step up and take action to meet the demands of the movement and our immediate communities. This movement soley relies on the direct action of all it’s participants.

On March 15th, 2025, the working class of the United States will cease to serve the capitalist ruling class. We will continue this shutdown until the demands of the people are met. We will:

• Remove our money from all banks and corporate financial institutions. Cancel all unused accounts and lines of credit. 
  
  
• Some people have opted to stop paying rent, but it is highly recommended not to do this unless you have formed a tenant's union and have legal representation from a sympathetic legal expert. This would be a particularly good idea for people living in properties owned by conglomerates. Have a backup plan put in place for housing and shelter.
• Cancel all subscription services, Amazon prime and other unnecessary premium services
• Stop working. Healthcare professionals will continue to work, or find a way to continue to help their local community with medical needs. People who work in other vital systems will either continue to work or find an alternative way to serve the community without giving the ruling class their labor. Self employed people or business owners will use their business to help their community in any way possible, and ensure that wealth is not being distributed back into the hands of oligarchs or corporate giants.
• We will stop shopping. No buying or ordering anything. If something must be purchased, we will be purchasing from a locally owned and operated business (NOT A FRANCHISE STORE) and preferably buying goods that are made/manufactured locally as well. If something like a car part needs to be ordered, do so, but try to source from junkyards or other people first.
• We will not travel. No fun trips or vacations. If travel is necessary to seek refuge in another country, to mobilize aid, to return home or gather friends, family or loved ones, then do so safely and efficiently. Only buy gas from independently owned gas stations if absolutely necessary.
• We will not purchase any item made by companies that fall under the ownership of the corporate giants that control our food supply.
• We will unionize our workplaces and go on an organized labor strike that is protected by law. 

In the days approaching March 15th, starting now, we will:

• We will delete and deactivate Meta and X apps. Meta and X have actively worked against the American people to silence our voices and push far right wing narrative, silencing marginalized voices. They have interfered in our already volatile government and political structure. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) has inserted himself into governments all over the world. He is a political instigator and potential Nazi Party affiliate. Meta has been known to enable user's device microphones and record and use any collected audio to target advertisements to the user. Downloading the app Micro Guard by Prostar, enabling it and the opening Facebook will prove this, as FB can be seen attempting to access the device's Microphone. If you have a business account on these apps, consider moving that to another platform like Bluesky, which is becoming very popular. Consider using classic avenues of marketing that attract people in your immediate community to your business.
• Move our bank accounts, lines of credit and all other financial business to a small, locally centered credit union. It is important to note some of these credit unions have requirements for membership, such as being employed by certain public institutions or being a member of the local historical societies. 
  
• We will stop dining at large chain restaurants and fast food. We will not use popular delivery services like doordash and grubhub, Uber eats etc. Gig economy companies such as those are predatory and exploitative. Very little of the cut goes to their delivery workers. We will not go to Starbucks, Dunkin or other large companies for coffee and instead we will locate local coffee shops and buy from there.
  
• We will only shop locally. No giant corporations or franchise chains. Locally owned and operated establishments only. If the business is owned by someone who owns multiple businesses, look into the owners reputation and business practices. Do they seem reasonable and equitable? Do they seem ethical?
  
• We will keep our user information safe. Download and install a good VPN. Proton VPN is free, but use caution as they have been openly supportive of far right ideologies. Tech giants sell our user data and profit from it. Keep your data out of their hands. Do not let them see you. 
  
• *Use caution with ChatGPT and Deepseek* 
  
• We will not use Microsoft, Apple or Google applications. A good alternative to Microsoft office is WPS Office. A good alternative to Google Maps is Magic Earth.
• Use end-to-end encrypted communication apps such as Signal, or Session. E2E email options are Proton Mail and Tutamail. 
  
• We will build strong community initiatives and organize mutual aid and community support for all our community members. 
• We will take nonviolent direct action to fulfill any movement or community need. Do not wait for someone else to do the work. Do it yourself. If a job needs doing, do it. Everyone is a leader, so lead by example.
  
• We will spread information about the shutdown worldwide. The photographs below contain important tips for spreading information both online and in person.