American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

What tactics did followers of Saul Alinsky employ in their activism?

1. Community gardening and local clean-ups

2. Disruption of normal activities and protests

3. Political campaigning and lobbying

4. Educational workshops and seminars

The correct answer is: Disruption of normal activities and protests

The tactics employed by followers of Saul Alinsky prominently included the disruption of normal activities and protests. Alinsky is known for his community organizing strategies that aimed to empower marginalized groups and create social change. He encouraged activists to confront power structures directly and used tactics that could draw attention to issues and mobilize people effectively. Disruption was considered a vital strategy to challenge existing social norms and achieve visibility for the causes Alinsky and his followers championed. This approach often included protests, sit-ins, boycotts, and other forms of civil disobedience designed to create a sense of urgency and catalyze community action. Alinsky’s philosophy suggested that confrontation was a necessary part of drawing in public interest and pressuring institutions for change, thereby making it an intrinsic part of the activist toolkit. Although community gardening, political campaigning, and educational workshops could be valuable components of community activism, they do not specifically reflect the direct, confrontational tactics that characterized Alinsky’s work.