grassroots

A grassroots movement refers to a social, political, or economic initiative spurred by the people within a community. Rather than attempting to create change through legislation, people may individually participate in grassroots efforts. The often self-organized and localized movements act to mobilize individuals around a central cause, causing advocacy for causes like women’s rights.

Grassroots initiatives may involve making phone calls and distributing information via communication mediums like email to spread the word about the movement. People may hang posters or gather people to sign a petition. Essentially, individuals involved in grassroots movements attempt to organize people in their local communities toward the cause. A grassroots movement includes the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s-60s where individuals were advocating for social change within their communities.