Look to history. I think you are absolutely right that it's purely performative to make political donations to major parties or go and phone bank for politician

Look to history. I think you are absolutely right that it's purely performative to make political donations to major parties or go and phone bank for politicians that can at best make incremental change (and will more likely allow big business to make things worse). The things that have worked before are much more disruptive. You could try taking part in protests and marches or other direct actions that put real pressure on local government. MLK blocked highways and staged strikes. It was his power (along with many others) to put a halt to the economic activity the government relies on that led to victory for civil rights.