No 75, Se pte m be r 2007
Ch oos ing Nonviol e nt Action
From l e ftto righ t: W RI activis ts in W as h ington on 15 M ay 2006, nonviol e nce training in Ch il e in 2004, Sm as h EDO action in Brigh ton in 2005. Ph otos : W RI arch ive s Look atth e h is tory ofyour country and you w il lfind e pis ode s ofnonviol e ntaction – de m ons trations , s trik e s , boycotts or oth e r form s ofpopul ar non-coope ration. Th e caus e s w il l vary – for th e righ ts ofw ork e rs and pe as ants , fre e dom for s l ave s , th e righ tto vote for w om e n or pe opl e w ith outprope rty, for raciale q ual ity, for ge nde r e q ual ity, for fre e dom from occupation – in s h orte ncom pas s ing a range ofform s ofinjus tice and dom ination. H ow e ve r, itw as notuntilth e tw e ntie th ce ntury – and in particul ar th e cam paigns ofGandh i in South Africa and India – th atm ove m e nts dis cus s e d nonviol e ntaction as a cons cious s trate gy for s ocial trans form ation. Gandh i w as convince d th at nonviol e nce h ad a particul ar pow e r – both in its e ffe cton th e pe opl e w h o took an action, and on th os e atw h om th e action w as dire cte d. H e s aw th ats ocials ol idarity can ove rcom e e fforts to dom inate , e xpl oitor oth e rw is e oppre s s a popul ation. Itis notjus te nough to oppos e an antagonis t, bl am ing th e m for e ve ryth ing, butal s o pe opl e h ave to l ook at th e ir ow n re s pons ibil itie s and th e ir ow n be h aviour – fre e dom and jus tice are notjus tto be de m ande d butto be practis e d, and to be th e bas is on w h ich a m ove m e ntcons tructs its e l f. M os tparticipants in th e cam paigns initiate d by Gandh i s h are d onl y s om e ofh is principl e s – th e y w e re pre pare d to us e nonviol e nce to fre e India from Britis h col onial is m , butfe w h ad Gandh i's utte r com m itm e ntto nonviol e nce as a w ay ofl ife , and inde e d m os tconve ntionalpol iticall e ade rs gave onl y s ym bol ic im portance to th e cons tructive program m e . Th is patte rn h as fre q ue ntl y be e n re pe ate d, nonviol e ntaction be ing e ffe ctive w h e n us e d by broad m ove m e nts , w h e re m os tparticipants acce pt nonviol e nce in practicalte rm s as th e appropriate s trate gy for th e ir s ituation butonl ya m inority e xpre s s a ph il os oph icalcom m itm e nt. Th e s tyl e ofnonviol e nce varie s a l otaccording to conte xt. Since th e te rm 'pe opl e pow e r' w as coine d w h e n th e M arcos re gim e in th e Ph il ippine s w as brough tdow n in 19 86, and e s pe cial l y s ince th e dow nfal lofM il os e vic in
Se rbia in 2000, s om e obs e rve rs h ave tal k e d of an "action te m pl ate " – m e aning popul ar nonviol e ntaction ove rth row ing a corruptand auth oritarian re gim e atte m pting to w in el e ctions by fraud. O fcours e , th e re are s im il aritie s be tw e e n th e dow nfal lofM il os e vic and 'pe opl e pow e r' e pis ode s e l s e w h e re . Inde e d, s om e ofth e Se rbs w h o us e d nonviol e nce s o cre ative l y agains tM il os e vic h ave now be com e invol ve d in training th e s e oth e r m ove m e nts . H ow e ve r, in e ach s ituation, th e m ove m e nts h ave to m ak e th e ir ow n anal ys is ofw h atis appropriate and w h atw il l w ork . M any pe opl e are s ce pticalaboutth e pow e r ofnonviol e nce agains te ntre nch e d and brutal re gim e s . In s uch s ituations any re s is tance is l ik e l y to be difficul t. Nonviol e nce doe s notoffe r a 'q uick fix' in th e s e s ituations – and ne ith e r doe s arm e d s truggl e . Som e ide al is tic m ove m e nts h ave turne d to arm e d s truggl e onl y to find th e m s e l ve s incre as ingl y s e parate d from th e popul ation, de pe nding on e xtortion and k idnapping to m aintain th e m s e l ve s , and in s h ortde ge ne rating into arm e d bands . Nonviol e nce aim s to w ork diffe re ntl y. By e xpanding th e s ocials pace s th ata m ove m e ntcan occupy, and by giving voice to w h atth e re gim e re q uire s s h oul d notbe s aid, itcan s e tproce s s e s offundam e ntalch ange in m otion. Nonviol e ntaction in th e face oftorture , 'dis appe arance s ' and de ath s q uads in various parts of Latin Am e rica in th e 19 70s and 19 80s aim e d to re buil d a s ocials ol idarity th atcoul d ove rcom e fe ar. Be caus e pacifis ts re fus e to re s ortto organis e d viol e nce , w e ne e d to inve s tour cre ative e ne rgy in trying to de ve l op nonviol e ntal te rnative s . Th e re fore , pacifis ts h ave a h is tory of pl aying a vitalinnovatory rol e in s ocialm ove m e nts by de ve l oping nonviol e ntm e th ods of action, both atth e l e ve loftactics and in form s oforganis ing. For ins tance , th e firs tUS 'fre e dom ride s ' agains tracials e gre gation in th e 19 40s w e re a pacifis tinitiative , as w as th e Britis h nonviol e ntdire ctaction agains tnucl e ar w e apons in th e 19 50s . Th e cre ative us e of nonviol e nce ofth e s e groups ope ne d s pace s
for a m uch m ore w ide s pre ad us e ofnonviol e nce by th e m as s m ove m e nts th atfol l ow e d. Late r cam e th e introduction ofnonviol e nce training, initial l y pre paring pe opl e for th e k ind ofviol e nce th atth e y m igh tm e e tin nonviol e nt prote s ts . Subs e q ue ntl y nonviol e nce training h as pl aye d an e s s e ntialrol e in prom oting m ore participatory form s ofm ove m e nt organis ation. Gandh i and M artin Luth e r K ing be cam e s uch tow e ring figure s w ith in th e ir ow n m ove m e nts th ats om e pe opl e h ave th e im pre s s ion th ats ucce s s fulnonviol e nce de pe nds on 'ch aris m atic' l e ade rs h ip. For us in W RI, h ow e ve r, nonviol e ntaction s h oul d be s e e n as a s ource ofs ociale m pow e rm e nt– s tre ngth e ning th e capacitie s ofal lparticipants w ith outde pe nding on s upe rh um an l e ade rs . Th e re fore w e h ave advocate d m ore participatory form s ofde cis ion-m ak ing, prom ote d th e adoption ofform s of organis ation bas e d on pe opl e grouping into 'affinity groups ', and e xpande d nonviol e nce training to incl ude tool s for th e participatory as s e s s m e ntand de ve l opm e ntofs trate gy. W e argue th atth e s pe cific s tre ngth s of nonviol e nts trate gie s are dam age d by any re s ortto viol e nce . Th e s e incl ude s tre ngth s am ong th e m ove m e nt– in fos te ring trus tand s ol idarity am ong participants in an action, in putting th e m in touch w ith s ource s ofth e ir ow n pow e r to actin a s ituation. Th e s e s tre ngth s al s o incl ude th e re l ations h ip ofa m ove m e nttow ards its antagonis ts – in inh ibiting th e ir viol e nce or atl e as te ns uring th atviol e ntre pre s s ion w il lback fire pol itical l y agains tth e m , and in unde rm ining th e 'pil l ars of pow e r' ofan oppre s s ive ins titution by not tre ating its e m pl oye e s as inanim ate tool s but rath e r trying to cre ate pos s ibil itie s for th e m to re th ink th e ir al l e giance s . And final l y th e s e s tre ngth s incl ude th e q ual ity ofcom m unication w ith bys tande rs or 'outs ide rs ' – pe opl e notye t conce rne d aboutth e is s ue or notye tactive aboutit, pe opl e w h o can be pote ntialal l ie s . H ow ard Cl ark Ch air ofW RI
Editorial Providing re s ource s to s tre ngth e n and de e pe n our unde rs tanding ofnonviol e nce , nonviol e nts trate gie s , and nonviol e nt cam paigning is one ofth e m ain aim s ofth e Nonviol e nce Program m e . W ith th is Brok e n Rifl e w e give you a tas te ofw h atyou w il lfind in th e H andbook for Nonviol e ntAction th at w il ls oon be publ is h e d by W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational . Th e h andbook h as tool s on h ow to de ve l op nonviol e ntcam paigns and actions , w ith various re s ource s and s torie s on inte rnationale xpe rie nce s ofnonviol e ntaction. Since training pl ays an im portantrol e for s ucce s s ful actions , th e h andbook incl ude s e xe rcis e s for h e l ping a group th rough various l e arning proce sses. Th e h andbook h igh l igh ts th e im portance ofactions as partof l onge r te rm nonviol e ntcam paigns . As Joanne Sh e e h an s ays in h e r articl e on de ve l oping s trate gic nonviol e ntcam paigns “A cam paign is m ore th an proje cts s trung toge th e r, or doing th e s am e th ing ove r and ove r. A cam paign is nots im pl y a m atte r of ide ntifying a probl e m and us ing a tactic to addre s s it– s uch as “a l e afl e ting cam paign” or a “cam paign ofcivildis obe die nce ”. Th e pow e r ofa nonviol e nt cam paign com e s in th e cre ative com bination oftactics ;th e s trate gic th ink ing and com m itm e nt ofth e participants ”. Th e h andbook w il lh ave tw o ve rs ions : one printe d, th atw e h ope to m ak e as acce s s ibl e as pos s ibl e and a w e b – ve rs ion th atw e h ope you w il lh e l p us update . You can al re ady find th e draftve rs ion ath ttp://w riirg.org/w ik i/inde x.ph p/Nonviol en ce _ H andbook . H ope ful l y both Th e Brok e n Rifl e and th e H andbook for Nonviol e ntAction w il lbe re s ource s us e d by th e W RI ne tw ork and th e broade r nonviol e ntm ove m e nt. And w il lcontribute to m ak e nonviol e nce pl ay a m ajor rol e in th e s truggl e for s ocial ch ange . Javie r Gárate
Th e Brok e n Rifl e Th e Brok e n Rifl e is th e ne w s l e tte r ofW ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , and is publ is h e d in Engl is h , Spanis h , Fre nch and Ge rm an. Th is is is s ue 75, Se pte m be r 2007.Th is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e w as produce d by Javie r Gárate . Spe cialth ank s go to H ow ard Cl ark , Joanne Sh e e h an, th e K ore a Sol idarity for Cons cie ntious O bje ction and Yvonne K as s im . Ifyou w ante xtra copie s ofth is is s ue ofTh e Brok e n Rifl e , pl e as e contactth e W RI office , or dow nl oad itfrom our w e bs ite . W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , 5 Cal e donian Road, London N1 9 DX, Britain te l+ 44-20-7278 4040 fax + 44-20-7278 0444 info@ w ri-irg.org h ttp://w ri-irg.org/pubs / br75-e n.h tm
e nce 2 Nonviol
Training Exe rcis e s W ars vs Nonviol e nce (30 m in)10/10 Strate gie s – Th is e xe rcis e h e l ps pe opl e l e arn aboutth e rich h is tory ofnonviol e ntcam paigns , ge tting a be tte r unde rs tanding ofcam paigns , tactics and m ove m e nts . Bre ak into s m al lgroups of5–6. O ne pe rs on in e ach group ne e ds to l is tnum be rs 1 to 10 on a pie ce ofpape r. Groups are “com pe ting” w ith one anoth e r to s e e w h o can do th e tas k in th e fas te s ttim e , as oppos e d to our us ualcoope rative s tyl e . Each group is to l is t10 w ars as q uick l y as pos s ibl e , rais ing th e ir h ands w h e n th e y are done . Facil itator s h oul d note th e tim e . Th e n as k th e m to l is t10 nonviol e ntcam paigns , and again rais e th e ir h ands w h e n done . Note h ow ittak e s l onge r to com e up w ith th e cam paigns th e n th e w ars (w h ich w e w il lnot tal k abouth e re ). Starting w ith th e “w inning” group, w rite th e ir l is tofnonviol e ntcam paigns on a w al lch art. As k oth e r groups to add to th e l is t. (Th e re w il l probabl y be a m ix ofm ove m e nts , tactics , cam paigns , e tc. Lis tth e m al land th e n us e th e l is tto e xpl ain th e diffe re nce s s o pe opl e l e arn abouts trate gic proce s s e s and h ow e ffe ctive s trate gie s de ve l op. For e xam pl e , th e l is tm ay incl ude “civil righ ts ” ( m ove m e nt), “Nas h vil l e” (a cam paign) and “s it-ins ” (a tactic). Us e th e l is t, and th e participants as m uch as pos s ibl e , to de s cribe com pone nts of cam paigns , ide ntify tactics , and de s cribe w h atm ak e s a m ove m e nt. Us e a w e l lk now n cam paign as a cas e s tudy to l e arn abouts trate gic de ve l opm e ntof nonviol e ntcam paigns . Tim e : Tak e s 10 m inute s for s e tup, s m al lgroup e xe rcis e and to l is t on w al lch art. Dis cus s ion tim e can be 20 m inute s , al th ough coul d be l onge r or s h orte r de pe nding on avail abl e tim e . 30 m inute s totalw ork s w e l l .
Pil l ars ofPow e r Draw an ups ide dow n triangl e, w ith pil l ars h ol ding itup. W rite th e nam e ofth e probl e m in th e triangl e (i.e . “w ar”) and as k th e group to de s cribe th e ins titutions th ats upportth e probl em (i.e . th e m il itary, corporations , gove rnm e ntpol icie s , s upportof th e popul ation, corporate m e dia, e tc.). Ide ntify th e unde rl ying principl e s th ath ol d up th e s ys te m (i.e . racis m , s e xis m , gre e d, l ie s , e tc). De s cribe th os e ins titutions . A ne xts te p can be to draw anoth e r s e tofpil l ars , th is tim e putting one ofth e ins titutions ins ide th e triangl e , and de s cribing w h ath ol ds th atup. Ch oos e th e ins titution th atyour organiz ation w oul d m os tl ik e l y w ork to k nock dow n.
Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 75, Se pte m be r 2007
W h atM ak e s A Cam paign Nonviol e nt? A cam paign is a conne cte d s e rie s ofactivitie s and actions done ove r a pe riod oftim e to ach ie ve s pe cific, s tate d goal s . Cam paigns are s tarte d by a group ofpe opl e w ith a com m on unde rs tanding and vis ion, w h o ide ntify th e goal s and be gin th e proce s s ofre s e arch , e ducation and training th ats tre ngth e ns and incre as e s th e num be r ofparticipants w h o e ngage in th e activitie s and action. De m ons trations al one do note nd a particul ar w ar or corre cta de e p s e ate d injus tice . Face d w ith th e h orrors ofth e w orl d, it’s e as y to do th e nonviol e nte q uival e ntofl as h ing out– jum ping into action or activity w ith outs te pping back or l ook ing ah e ad. Too ofte n groups go dire ctl y from re cogniz ing a probl e m to pick ing a tactic. O r w e s uffe r from th e “paral ys is of anal ys is ”, e ducating ours e l ve s and oth e rs , but ne ve r ge tting in to action, and th e re fore ne ve r re ach ing our goal s . Th e pow e r ofa nonviol e nt cam paign com e s in th e cre ative com bination oftactics , th e s trate gic th ink ing and com m itm e ntofth e participants .
W h atm ak e s a Cam paign Nonviol e nt?
W h e th e r a cl e ar com m itm e ntto nonviol e nce is pre s e ntor abs e nt, m os tofth e bas ic s te ps in cam paigns are th e s am e . To be s trate gic, al lcam paign organiz e rs ne e d to re s e arch and col l e ctinform ation, tak e partin e ducation and training program m e s , de ve l op a s trate gy th atincl ude s m ul tipl e tactics to re ach th e ir goal . W h at, th e n, is uniq ue abouta “nonviol e ntcam paign”?It's ce rtainl y m ore th an s im pl y notbe ing viol e nt. M any organiz ations , cam paigns and l e ade rs in nonviol e ntm ove m e nts , h ave s tate m e nts ofth e ir nonviol e ntprincipl e s to e xpl ain th e ir pe rs pe ctive . W RI's State m e ntofPrincipl e s de s cribe s w h atw e m e an w h e n w e s ay w e e m brace nonviol e nce : “Nonviol e nce can com bine active re s is tance , incl uding civildis obe die nce , w ith dial ogue ;itcan com bine non-coope ration – w ith draw alofs upportfrom a s ys te m ofoppre s s ion – w ith cons tructive w ork to buil d al te rnative s . As a w ay ofe ngaging in confl ict, s om e tim e s nonviol e nce atte m pts to bring re concil iation w ith it: s tre ngth e ning th e s ocialfabric, e m pow e ring th os e atth e bottom ofs ocie ty, and incl uding pe opl e from diffe re nts ide s in s e e k ing a s ol ution. Eve n w h e n s uch aim s cannot im m e diate l y be ach ie ve d, our nonviol e nce h ol ds us firm in our de te rm ination notto de s troy oth e r pe opl e .” W h il e w riting aboutnonviol e ntcam paigns for th e W RI H andbook for Nonviol e ntAction, I found a varie ty ofde s criptions ofnonviol e nt cam paigns , us ual l y a m ixture ofnonviol e nt principl e s w ith com m on s trate gie s . Th e fol l ow ing l is tis m e antto ide ntify s pe cific principl es th atare uniq ue in a nonviol e ntcam paign. W h il e s om e ofth e s e m ay be found in cam paigns th atdo notide ntify as be ing nonviol e nt, th e com bination ofth e s e principl e s is w h at m ak e s a cam paign nonviol e nt.
Principl e s ofNonviol e ntAction
W e ack now l e dge th e val ue ofe ach pe rs on. Th is is fundam e ntal , re cogniz ing th e dignity and h um anity ofone s e l fand oth e rs . W e re fus e to m is tre atour oppone ntas an e ne m y. W e re cogniz e th atw e al lh ave partofth e truth ;no one h as al lofit. No one is al l“righ t” or al l“w rong”. O ur cam paign inform ation gath e ring,e ducation and actions s h oul d re fl e ct th is . O ur actions are ope n to anyone – no re s trictions ofge nde r, age , abil ity, e tc. W e ne e d to be care fulth atw e are trul y ope n to th e
W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalatanti-w ar de m ons tration.
Ph oto: W RI
ful lparticipation ofal land th atw e do not m irror th e dis crim ination found in s ocie ty. W e acce pts uffe ring butcaus e none to oth e rs . Acce pting s uffe ring is a principl e bas e d on th e val ue ofe ach pe rs on, and a s trate gy th atdraw s atte ntion to our com m it- m e ntand our caus e . W e w il lnotviol e ntl y figh tback if attack e d. W e re cogniz e jailm ay be a cons e q ue nce ofour actions ;fil l ing th e jail s m ay be a s trate gy. O ur m e ans (be h aviors , actions ) are cons is te ntw ith our e nds (ofaffirm ing l ife , oppos ing oppre s s ion and s e e k jus tice , val uing e ve ry pe rs on). O ur s trate gy m us tbe bas e d on th is principl e , w e cannotjus tify a “victory” obtaine d th rough viol e nt, coe rcive , or de ce itfulm e th ods . Be l ie ving in th e trans form ative pow e r of nonviol e nce , w e pre fe r conve rs ion rath e r th an coe rcion. W e w ork for w in-w in rath e r th an w inl oos e s ol utions . Th e com bination ofre s pe ctfor our oppone nts ' h um an righ ts and obje ction to th e ir viol ating our righ ts can m ak e th e m m ove . O ur actions e m ph as iz e ope nne s s to prom ote com m unication and de m ocratic proce s s e s . W e w ork for proce s s e s th ate xpre s s “pow e r w ith ” not“pow e r ove r” oth e rs . Th e e m pow e rm e ntofal linvol ve d in th e cam paign is im portant. W e prom ote de m ocratic s tructure s (inte rnaland e xte rnal ) to m axim iz e sel f-de te rm ination. W e m aintain dis cipl ine to agre e upon guide l ine s and pre paration be fore tak ing action. Going back to th e Code ofDis cipl ine l aid dow n by Gandh i in th e 19 30's , m any cam paigns h ave de ve l ope d “nonviol e nce guide l ine s ” w h ich al lparticipants are as k e d to agre e to. To e ns ure th e s e are fol l ow e d, participants m ay be e ncourage d to participate in nonviol e nce training or orie ntation for an action.
Infil trators m ay atte m ptto dis cre ditth e group by urging pe opl e to actviol e ntl y. Nonviol e nt agre e m e nts , and nonviol e nce training, can m ak e itpos s ibl e for a l arge num be r ofpe opl e to participate in a cam paign nonviol e ntl y, e ve n ifth e y h ave l ittl e e xpe rie nce in th is are a. No m atte r h ow com m itte d th e organiz e rs are to th e principl e s ofnonviol e ntaction, and h ow wel lth e cam paign s trate gy is organis e d, itis crucialth atth e participants in th e de m ons trations and civildis obe die nce actions can re fl e ctth e principl e s ofnonviol e nce for itto be an e ffe ctive nonviol e ntcam paign.
“Nonviol e nce guide l ine s ” are notth e s am e as nonviol e ntprincipl e s . Th e y are agre e m e nts on h ow participants in an action w il lbe h ave . Th e y m ay be s tate d in ve ry practicalte rm s (“W e w il lnotcarry any w e apons .”) or m ay be w ritte n in m ore ph il os oph icalte rm s (“W e w il l gath e r toge th e r in a m anne r th atre fl e cts th e w orl d w e ch oos e to cre ate .”)
Sch oolofth e Am e ricas W atch :
In any nonviol e ntcam paign th e re w il lbe pe opl e w ith varie d l e ve l s ofcom m itm e ntto nonviol e nce . Nonviol e nce guide l ine s m ak e it cl e ar w h atis e xpe cte d and s e ts a nonviol e nt s piritfor th e action. In th e m ids tofan action, it is e as y for th e crow d's tone to m ove in th e dire ction ofve rbalabus e and e ve n viol e nce .
A nonviol e ntcam paign tak e s pe opl e th rough proce s s e s ofe m pow e rm e nt. Its h oul d be pe rs onal l y e m pow e ring — pe opl e dis cove ring and e xe rcis ing th e ir ow n pow e r agains t oppre s s ion, e xcl us ion, and viol e nce , and for participation, pe ace and h um an righ ts . Groups w ork ing on a cam paign de ve l op a col l e ctive pow e r, l e arning h ow to be organis e rs and be com e pol iticals trate gis ts in th e proce s s . M ul tipl e cam paigns can m ove us tow ards s ociale m pow e rm e ntth atl e ads to th e s ocial trans form ation w e are w ork ing for. In our training and pl anning w e ne e d to cons ide r al l as pe cts ofth is nonviol e nts ociale m pow e rm e ntproce s s : pe rs onale m pow e rm e nt, com m unity pow e r, pe opl e pow e r.
Exam pl e s ofnonviol e nce guide l ine s : Fas l ane 365:
h ttp://w w w .fas l ane 365.org/fr/dis pl ay_ pre vie w /nonviol e nce _ guide l ine s
Lak e nh e ath Action Group:
h ttp://w w w .m oth e re arth .org/l ak e nh e ath action /nv.ph p3 h ttp://w w w .s oaw .org/articl e .ph p?id=109 3 Joanne Sh e e h an
Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 75, Se pte m be r 2007
Nonviol e nce
Cons e ns us de cis ion m ak ing
Brains torm ing W h y w e ch oos e nonviol e nce ? W rapping up
Brains torm ing is a group te ch niq ue de s igne d to ge ne rate a l arge num be r ofide as in a l im ite d am ountoftim e . M os tofus h ave probabl y us e d brains torm s in our pol iticalw ork to de ve l op de s criptions (i.e . W h atis nonviol e nce ?) or ans w e r q ue s tion w ith as m any ide as as pos s ibl e to cons ide r (i.e . W h attactics w oul dhel p us re ach our goal s ?). Itis a good toolto us e atm e e tings and nonviol e nce training as itge ts pe opl e e ne rgis e d by th e fl ow of ans w e rs . Ital so h el ps to l is te n to m ore voice s w ith in th e group. H e re are 4 re com m e ndations for h ol ding a brains torm ing s e s s ion:
W h e n you are pre s e ntw ith a group doing a brains torm ing s e s s ion, w h e n al lth e ide as are up on th e w al l , as k ifth e re is anyth ing up th e re th atpe opl e h ave a q ue s tion about, or th atth e y dis agre e w ith . O pe n th is up for dis cus s ion. You m ay notne e d to com e to cons e ns us on a brains torm ing s e s s ion. (Ata training s e s s ion, you are nottrying to com e up w ith a de finition to ans w e r “W h atis nonviol e nce ?”). O r you m ay w antto s ortoutth e ans w e rs for furth e r dis cus s ion. (Th e brains torm ing gave th e group l ots oftactics , now you ne e d to ch oos e th e be s tone s . You can do th atby cre ating a “m atrix”, l is ting th e tactics dow n one s ide /th e goal s al ong th e top, and ch e ck to s e e ifth e tactic w ith a pos itive (+ ), a ne gative (-), or ne utral(0) for h e l ping to re ach th e goalof th e action.)
1. Focus on q uantity: Th e as s um ption is th at th e gre ate r th e num be r ofide as ge ne rate d, th e gre ate r th e ch ance ofproducing a radical and e ffe ctive s ol ution. 2. No criticis m : Itis ofte n e m ph as iz e d th atin group brains torm ing, criticis m s h oul d be put 'on h ol d'. Ins te ad ofim m e diate l y s tating w h at m igh tbe w rong w ith an ide a, th e participants focus on e xte nding or adding to it, re s e rving criticis m for a l ate r 'criticals tage ' ofth e proce s s . By s us pe nding judge m e nt, one cre ate s a s upportive atm os ph e re w h e re participants fe e lfre e to ge ne rate unus ualide as . 3. Unus ualide as are w e l com e : To ge ta good and l ong l is tofide as , unus ualide as are wel com e d. Th e y m ay ope n ne w w ays of th ink ing and provide be tte r s ol utions th an re gul ar ide as . Th e y can be ge ne rate d by l ook ing from anoth e r pe rs pe ctive or s e tting as ide as s um ptions . 4. Com bine and im prove ide as : Good ide as can be com bine d to form a s ingl e ve ry good ide a, as s ugge s te d by th e s l ogan "1+ 1=3". Th is approach is as s um e d to l e ad to be tte r and m ore com pl e te ide as th an m e re l y ge ne rating ne w ide as al one . Itis be l ie ve d to s tim ul ate th e buil ding ofide as by a proce s s ofas s ociation. Fol l ow ing th e th e m e on th is Brok e n Rifl e we h el d an e l e ctronic brains torm via W RI's l is t-s e rve s . W e as k e d th e q ue s tion: “W h y is itim portantth atprote s tgroups tak e th e s trate gic ch oice in favour ofnonviol e ntm e th ods ?" H e re are th e ans w e rs w e re ce ive d: Be caus e , irre s pe ctive ofs trate gy itis im portant a principled ch oice is m ade , particularly w h e n our re s is tance is te s te d to th e upm os t. (Gw yn) Be caus e ifth e m e ans are notnonviolentth e e nds w illnotbe (Ch ris) ► ►
►
Be caus e ofre s pe ctoflife and dignity of e ve ryone including th e oppone nt So th atin cas e th e oth e r s ide ch oos e s to re s pond violently, th e prote s tgroup h as not give n th e m an e as y legitim is ation to do s o, and th e re by s h ow s to th e w ide r public obs e rving w h atis h appe ning w h o is righ tand w h o is w rong. Be caus e nonviolentm e th ods h ave a m uch large r range ofpos s ibilitie s and options , and are ofte n jus tth e be tte r one s . (Ch ristine )
Jus tbe caus e tw o s im ple is s ue s : legitim acy and e ffe ctive ne s s . Th e legitim acy is im portantbe caus e th e battlefie ld is ins ide a com m unicative am bit, and us ing nonviolence you are s h ow ing to th e public opinion your prote s tis legitim ate . Th e e ffe ctive ne s s ofnonviolence com e s from an analys is of pow e r th atm e ans th atviolence cre ate s anoth e r pow e r s tructure th atw illne e d s om e k ind offuture dom ination, ifw e don'tw antto be com e th e s am e
Nonviol e nce training in Ch il e. Ph oto: Andre as Spe ck th ing as w e are figh ting agains tw e m us tus e nonviolence . (Cth uch i) ► ► ►
Nonviolence be caus e ith e lps us allw in. Violence im pos e s th e w illofone on anoth e r, leaving one a w inne r and th e oth e r de fe ate d. Be caus e violence h as n'tbe e n s h ow n to w ork . H ow m uch m ore re s e arch do w e ne e d?Le t's try a nonviolente xpe rim e nt. Pleas e . Be caus e violence h as cre ate d th e m e s s w e 're in. Se e m s only logicalth atnonviolence is w h at w illge tus out. (De nise )
"W e are nonviolentbe caus e an injury to one is an injury to all." (Bayard R ustin q uote d ) O ne ofm y fre q ue ntly us e d argum e ntis th at "w e " could be w rong (talking from pe rs onal e xpe rie nce s h e re ) and I w antto h ave th e option to re ve rs e m y actions . D ifficultifyou h ave k illed s om e one . (Jørge n) M ore pe ople can be involve d, w h ate ve r th e ir age or ph ys icalability;les s s e cre cy is ne ce s s ary; nonviolentactions don'tcaus e as m uch fe ar or alie nation from th ird partie s ;m e ans are cons is te nt w ith e nds ;nonviolence is ofte n m ore e ffe ctive ; h e igh te ns th e contras tw ith th e violence ofth e s ys te m /re pre s s ion; re s pe cts life . (Vivie n) Atleas t, th e re w illbe s om e s urvivors . (Ugur) Violence and legal prote s tare s om e tim e s e ffe ctive butfundam e ntally politicaltraps , m ak ing you figh tfor your righ ts on th e te rm s ofth e pow e rful. Nonviolentre s is tance agains tpow e r s tructure s and building th e ne w s ocie ty w ith cons tructive w ork are m e th ods th at us e s th e pow e r ofth e pe ople and doe s iton our ow n te rm s , w h e re w e are th e s tronge s t, th e y th e w e ak e s t;building legitim acy, coope ration, com m unity and com m unication;i.e . th atw h ich cre ate s and m aintains h um an re lations h ips , i.e . s ocie ty. (Ste l l an)
Afte r you ge tth e diffe re ntans w e rs from a brains torm ing, you can organis e th e m into cate gorie s to h e l p you ide ntify s om e ofth e m ain is s ue s . For e xam pl e in th is brains torm ing, w e can s tate th ats om e ofth e m ain re as ons w h y to ch oos e nonviol e ntm e th ods : As a principl e : Ifw e w anta pe ace fuland jus t w orl d th e m e ans to re ach itne e d to be pe ace ful . Effe ctive ne s s : Nonviol e nce h as s h ow n to be e ffe ctive in m any cas e s , viol e nce h as m ainl y l e d to m ore viol e nce . Re s pe ctfor oth e rs : Re s pe ctfor l ife , your oppone nts and your ow n group. Group proce s s : W e l com e s al lvoice s and th e ir active participation. Inde pe nde nce : W ork ing in our ow n te rm s ins te ad ofw ork ing for s om e one e l s e 's pow e r. Afte r ide ntifying th e m ain is s ue s you can us e oth e r tool s to anal ys e th e m in m ore de pth , for e xam pl e th e Pil l ars ofPow e r pre s e nte d in th is Brok e n Rifl e . W e e ncourage you to us e brains torm ing in your cam paign w ork . In m os t cas e s you w il lge tus e fulide a w h il e giving e ve ryone a ch ance to participate and h ave a good tim e !
O rganis ing for nonviol e ntaction is (ofte n) bas e d on affinity groups , autonom ous groups of 5–15 pe rs ons w h e re pe opl e trus te ach oth e r and can re l y on e ach oth e r. Cons e ns us de cis ion m ak ing diffe rs gre atl y from m ajority de cis ion m ak ing. W h il e m ajority de cis ion m ak ing ofte n l e ads to a pow e r s truggl e be tw e e n tw o diffe re nts ol utions , cons e ns us de cis ion m ak ing aim s to tak e e ve ryone 's conce rns on board, ofte n m odifying a propos e d s ol ution s e ve raltim e s in th e proce s s . Itis ve ry m uch bas e d on l is te ning and re s pe ct, and participation by e ve ryone .
Cons e ns us l e ve l s
Cons e ns us doe s notne ce s s ary m e an th atal lagre e 100% – w h il e th is m igh tbe th e optim um , itis in practice ofte n not th e cas e . Itis th e re fore im portantth ate ve ryone in th e group is aw are ofdiffe re ntl e ve l s of s upportor non-s upportth atcan be give n to a ce rtain propos al : Non-s upport: "I don'ts e e th e ne e d for th is , butI'l lgo al ong w ith it." Standing as ide : "I pe rs onal l y can'tdo th is , butI w on'ts top oth e rs from doing it." Th e pe rs on s tanding as ide is notre s pons ibl e for th e cons e q ue nce s . Th is s h oul d be re corde d in th e m inute s . Ve to/m ajor obje ction: A s ingl e ve to/m ajor obje ction bl ock s th e propos alfrom pas s ing. Ifyou h ave a m ajor obje ction itm e ans th atyou cannotl ive w ith th e propos alifitpas s e s . Itis s o obje ctionabl e to you/th os e you are re pre s e nting th atyou w il l s top th e propos al . A m ajor obje ction is n'tan "I don'tre al l yl ik e it" or "I l ik e d th e oth e r ide a be tte r." Itis an "I cannotl ive w ith th is propos alifitpas s e s , and h e re is w h y?.!". Th e group can e ith e r acce ptth e ve to or dis cus s th e is s ue furth e r and draw up ne w propos al s . Th e ve to is a pow e rfultooland s h oul d be us e d w ith caution. Agre e to dis agre e : th e group de cide s th atno agre e m e ntcan be re ach e d on th is is s ue .
Donate to W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational
H ow to m ak e a donation to W RI?
Paym e ntby cre ditcard
►
Pl e as e de bitm y cre ditcard for th e am ountof £/€ /US$......... (de l e te curre ncy as appropriate )
► ►
► ► ►
►
3
by s tanding orde r w h ich e nabl e s us to pl an but l e tus k now (s e e bank de tail s ove rl e af) in USA by arranging for re gul ar donations to be s e ntth rough your bank 's bil lpaym e nts e rvice by giro trans fe r to W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational , • in Euros to Bank ofIre l and, IBAN IE9 1 BO FI 9 000 9 240 413547 BIC/SW IFT BO FIIE2D • in £ s te rl ing to Unity Trus tBank , IBAN GB11 CPBK 0800 5150 07 32 10 by cre ditcard – com pl e te de tail s in th e ne xt col um n or us e our w e b facil ity ath ttp://w ri-irg.org by ch e q ue , in £, € , or US$, payabl e to "W RI" (UK onl y) by Ch arity Aid vouch e r (CAF), m ade outto Lans bury H ous e Trus tFund (to re q ue s t s uch vouch e rs , w rite to: Ch aritie s Aid Foundation, K ings H il l , W e s tM ail ing, K e ntM E19 4TA, or vis itw w w .CAFonl ine .org) (USA onl y) by s e nding a tax de ductabl e donation – m ak e ch e ck s payabl e to th e A.J. M us te Ins titute
Cre ditCard
Vis a/Acce s s /M as te rcard/ Am e rican Expre s s (de l e te as appropriate )
Card num be r:
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Expiry date :
_ _ _ /_ _ _ Se curity code : _ _ _ _ _
Nam e on card:
......................................................
Signature :
......................................................
Bil l ing addre s s (ifdiffe re ntfrom ove rl e af) ................................................................................... ...................................................................................
BR75/09 /07/e n-int
e nce 4 Nonviol
Th e Brok e n Rifl e No 75, Se pte m be r 2007
W RI m e rch andis e You can orde r m e rch andis e from W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalby fil l ing outth is form and s e nding itto W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational ,5 Cal e donian Rd, London N1 9 DX, Britain – toge th e r w ith a ch e q ue m ade outto W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalin ₤,€ ,US$. O r orde r onl ine ath ttp://w ri-irg.org/s h op/s h op-uk .h tm . Al lprice s incl ude pos tage . No ___ ___ ___ ___
De s cription Brok e n Rifl e badge s , m e tal 1-9 badge s pe r badge 10-9 0 badge s pe r 10 100 pl us badge s pe r 100
UK ... Europe ..........W orl d £1.20 ......€ 2.25 .....US$2.75 £8.80 ....€ 14.00 ...US$18.25 £76.10 .. € 117.50 .US$144.00
H ous m ans Pe ace £8.9 5 € 13.50 ...US$17.00 Diary 2007 and H ous m ans W orl d Pe ace Dire ctory ISSN 09 57-0136 ISBN 0-85283-263-X
___
Em il y M il e s : CO Guide to th e UN £11.40 ....€ 19 .00 ...US$25.50 H um an Righ ts Sys te m (W RI and Quak e r UN O ffice Ge ne va, 2000)
___
Re s is tance and Re cons truction £3.50 ......€ 7.25 ... US$11.50 (Ins titute for TotalRe vol ution, Ve dcch i 19 88)
___
De vi Pras ad & Tony Sm yth e : Cons cription: A W orl d Surve y (W RI, London, 19 68)
£3.30 ......€ 7.00 ... US$11.00
___
Brian M artin e tal : Nonviol e nce Struggl e and SocialDe fe nce (W RI, London, 19 9 1)
£5.9 5 ....€ 10.50 ...US$14.00
___
M itz i Bal e s , e d: £3.85 O pe ning Doors to Pe ace : A M e m orialto M yrtl e Sol om on (W RI, London, 19 9 1)
€ 7.00 .....US$9 .25
___
Pe te r Brock : Te s tim onie s ofCon- £3.85 ......€ 7.00 .....US$8.75 s cie nce (private l y printe d, Toronto 19 9 7)
___
De vi Pras ad: W ar is a crim e agains t h um anity. Th e s tory ofW ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational (W RI London 2005)
£32.00 ....€ 47.00 ...US$66.00
___
Pl e as e add a donation
£ _ _ _ _ ....€_ _ _ _ ...US$_ _ _ _
Total
£ _ _ _ _ ....€_ _ _ _ ...US$_ _ _ _
Nam e : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Addre s s : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _________________________________________________ Date : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Signature : _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Nonviol e nce in South K ore a Ith as notbe e n l ong s ince th e conce ptof"nonviol e ntw ay ofs truggl e " s tarte d to be us e d in th e K ore an s ocialm ove m e nts ocie ty. Stil l , m any pe opl e in s ocial m ove m e nts h ave a ne gative fe e l ing aboutth is conce pt. Th e y re gard "nonviol e nce " as a w e ak , pas s ive and non-re s is tantw ay of s truggl e , and th os e pe rce ptions s e e m to h ave com e from th e s om e w h atuniq ue h is tory th at m any K ore ans h ave e xpe rie nce d. In South K ore a th e re h ad be e n ove r 30 ye ars ofauth oritarian re gim e by th e m il itary afte r th e Japane s e col onialpe riod and th e K ore an W ar. During th attim e pe opl e cam e to h ave inte ns e as pirations tow ards l ibe rty and de m ocracy and m any ofth e m s tarte d to re s is tagains tth e K ore an gove rnm e nt. Th e K ore an gove rnm e nt re s ponde d to th e pe opl e in a w ay ofte rror, m obil iz ing th e ir arm e d force s . Unde r th os e circum s tance s , itw as cons ide re d naturalfor pe opl e to re s is tth e gove rnm e ntin viol e ntw ays . Th e y arm e d th e m sel ve s and cal l e d th e ir viol e nce "re s is tantviol e nce ". Now adays , th e s tate s til lfre q ue ntl y us e s viol e nce agains t pe opl e , e s pe cial l y th e viol ation of pe opl e ’s h um an righ ts by pol ice atde m ons trations . M any activis ts th ink th atth e re ’s no oth e r w ay e xce pt"viol e nts truggl e ", and th at "nonviol e nts truggl e " is notan e ffe ctive tactic. Ne ve rth e l e s s , "nonviol e nt s truggl e " is be ing acce pte d am ong s om e w ork ing groups in K ore a, as "pe ace " and "nonviol e nce " is . "Nonviol e ntw ay of s truggl ing" h as h ad an infl ue nce on th e pe opl e w h o don’tagre e w ith viol e ntre s is tance . Th e re h as be e n a k ind of nonviol e ntw ay ofre s is ting s ince 19 80s , s uch as th e s tude nts ’ obje ction to be ing in th e fore front w h e re th e y s h oul d aim atth e north , th e s ol die rs and com bat pol ice s procl am ation th atre ve al s th e w h ol e viol e nce th e y h ave e xpe rie nce d in th e pe riod of
W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational s upporting and conne cting w ar re s is te rs al love r th e w orl d Pl e as e s e nd your donation today to s upportth e w ork ofW RI – Th ank You! Iw antto s upportW RI: (Pl e as e tick atl e as tone )
□ I e ncl os e a donation of£/€ /US$............ to W RI □ Pl e as e s e nd m e a re ce ipt □ I h ave com pl e te d cre ditcard de tail s ove rl e af □ I w il ls e tup a m onth l y/q uarte rl y/ye arl y (pl e as e de l e te ) s tanding orde r to W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnational In Britain to Unity Trus tBank , accountno: 5072 7388, SortCode : 08-60-01 for £ ......... Euroz one : IBAN IE9 1 BO FI 9 000 9 240 4135 47, Bank ofIre l and, for €.......... □ Pl e as e s e nd m e a s tanding orde r form □ I e ncl os e a CAF vouch e r for £ ............ □ I e ncl os e a ch e q ue to A.J. M us te Ins titute for US$........... Pl e as e vis itour w e bs h op ath ttp://w ri-irg.org for W ar Re s is te rs ' Inte rnationalpubl ications , Brok e n Rifl e badge s , and oth e r W RI m e rch andis e . Th ank You!
M y addre s s : Nam e : ....................................................................... Addre s s : ................................................................... ............................................................................ Country: ....................................................................
W h e re to s e nd your donation to: USA onl y: W RI Fund, c/o Ral ph di Gia, W RL, 339 Lafaye tte Stre e t, Ne w York , NY10012 Britain and e ve ryw h e re e l se: W RI, 5 Cal e donian Rd, London N1 9 DX, Britain W RI k e e ps s upporte rs nam e s and addre s s e s on com pute r, for our s ol e us e . Ifyou do notcons e ntto th is , pl e as e l e tus k now .
Anti fl ag s w e aring dire ctaction. m il itary s e rvice and th e civil obje ction to q ue s tioning by patrol m an. Butth e conce ptof"nonviol e nce " in th os e conte xts w as rath e r cl os e to jus ta m e ans of re s is ting. In K ore an s ocie ty, cons cie ntious obje ctors to m andatory m il itary s e rvice are s aid to be th e firs ts ince re pacifis ts w h o tak e nonviol e nce as a ph il os oph y of l ife . Cons cie ntious obje ctors h ave advocate d th e righ tto re fus e to unre as onabl e orde rs from th e s tate , w h e re national is m and m il itaris m is pre val e nt, and th e y h ave appe al e d to th e pe opl e ’s good nature , m ak ing th e m conte m pl ate th e m il itary, arm s and th e w ar fundam e ntal l y. Pe opl e w e re de e pl y m ove d w h e n th e y s aw cons cie ntious obje ctors w il l ing go into pris on for 18 m onth s rath e r th an tak e arm s . Th e y h ave com e to k now th e s ignificance ofcons cie ntious obje ctors pe rform ance as th e y w atch continualw ars caus e d by U.S. and Is rae l . Th e w ork ing group for cons cie ntious obje ction in K ore a is now focus ing on giving ne ce s s ary as s is tance , s uch as l e galand ps ych ol ogicalcouns e l ing, to th os e w h o pre pare to obje ct. Ital so focus e s on h aving pe opl e be com e aw are ofth e m e aning ofcons cie ntious obje ction th rough varie ty ofactivitie s s uch as pre s s confe re nce s , forum s , cam paigns and dire ctactions . Th e num be r of cons cie ntious obje ctors in K ore a is s til ls m al land th e punis h m e nt CO s are give n is e xce s s ive , th e re fore itis ve ry im portantto s upportth e m cons tantl y, s o th e y w il l notfe e lis ol ate d. Infl ue nce d by th e m ove m e nt ofcons cie ntious obje ction, th e re are m any al te rnative groups now tak ing nonviol e ntpacifis m as a principalph il os oph y ofth e ir s truggl e . Th e s e groups pl ay an im portantpartin th e s truggl e agains tUS bas e e xte ns ion in Pye ongtae k . Th e y are us ing th e ir cre ative im agination to de ve l op
Ph oto: Jungm in dive rs e tactics and nonviol e nt dire ctaction, m ak ing a s trik ing contras tto th e pre vious w ay of s truggl e. Th e s e "ne w " w ork ing groups are curre ntl y carrying outth e "m ak ing pe ace fulvil l age " proje ct. Th e y are trying to ch ange th e ol d h ous e , w h e re re s ide nts h ave l e ftafte r th e ne gotiation w ith K ore an gove rnm e nt, into a l ibrary, cafe and gue s th ous e ful lofw ork s ofart, w ith h e l p from m any artis ts . Th is ye ar, th e re h ave be e n s e ve ralcrack dow ns by th e m il itary and pol ice . Butm any pe opl e h ave pe rform e d nonviol e ntdire ct actions to prote ctth e vil l age , s uch as m ak ing a barricade w ith no arm s , h aving s its -in on th e e xcavator, and th os e tactics w ork e d. Eve n th ough m ains tre am m e dia w as notinte re s te d in th os e nonviol e nts truggl e s , m any pe opl e k now w h ath appe ne d in th e Pye oungtae k are a and give s upportto th e s truggl e agains tth e US bas e e xte ns ion. Untilnow , nonviol e nce w as nota principalph il os oph y in th e K ore an m ove m e nts ocie ty. W h e n K ang Ch ul -m in, w h o w as in active m il itary s e rvice , de cl are d h is cons cie ntious obje ction in 2003, th e re w as a confl ictofopinions w h e th e r th e s it-dow n de m ons tration s h oul d go on or not. And th e re w as al s o a probl e m w h e n m any unive rs ity s tude nts de cl are d pre cons cie ntious obje ction fol l ow ing th e ir group’s com m and. Th os e probl e m s re s ul te d be caus e groups th ough tofcons cie ntious obje ction as jus ta m atte r oftactics or e ve n an e ve nt, nota dire ctaction in one pe rs on’s ow n l ife . Now th e re are m ore and m ore pe opl e w h o are tak ing up th e nonviol e nt w ay in th e anti-US bas e e nl arge m e nts truggl e. K ore a Sol idarity for Cons cie ntious O bje ction