Nonviolence Handbook

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Otpor - people's power in Serbia

Founded in 1998, within two years the Serbian youth group Otpor (Resist) was to play a central role in bringing down Slobodan Milošević. Initially their campaign aimed to change attitudes towards resisting Milošević, for instance by using nonviolent “guerrilla” tactics of communication (graffiti, street theatre, etc), often using humour to attract interest and to reduce fear. Increasingly, they began to put pressure on the divided democratic opposition and to find points of unity to counter Milošević and to undermine “the pillars of his power”.

Nonviolence training workshops played an important role in spreading their understanding of how they could weaken the regime, and when Milošević did try to steal the elections, they were in a position to expose him and ultimately to stop him. When crowds surrounded the parliament building, the police were unwilling to disperse them. The most famous image is of a bulldozer driving into the parliament, but by that time the police were making no effort to prevent this. The next day Milošević resigned.

Otpor had played a vital role in achieving a necessary step in the democratisation of Serbia – the removal of Milošević – but subsequent progress towards democracy has been disappointing.

Resources:

“Bringing Down a Dictator”, DVD, 60 minutes Albert Cevallos, Whither the Bulldozer?: Nonviolent Revolution and the Transition to Democracy in Serbia (US Institute of Peace special report No 72 - downloadable from http://www.usip.org) Web page for Centre for Applied NonViolent Action Strategies, which involves some former Otpor activist, includes articles by Otpor activists and others on their strategy and tactics: http://www.canvasopedia.org/content/serbian_case/otpor_strategy.htm

WRI Handbook for Nonviolent Campaigns

You can order a printed copy of the Handbook for Nonviolent Campaigns in our webshop at http://wri-irg.org/node/8410. Copies of the second edition of the handbook are available at http://wri-irg.org/node/23245.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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- Introduction

About this Handbook and How to Use It What is Nonviolence and Why Use it How Does Nonviolence Work? Nonviolence Training: Role of Trainers; Potential Topics for Nonviolence Training You and Your Group: Strengthening a Group; Exploring Differences; What Do You Want? Historical Uses of Nonviolence: What Works Where; The Role of Pacifists; Organising Case Study: Nonviolence Training in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement Case Study: Otpor: People's Power in Serbia

- Gender and Nonviolence

Introduction to the gender section What is gender An example of linking peace and gender issues: New Profile in Israel

- Tasks and Tools for Organising and Facilitating Trainings

Introduction to the section Working Together Check-List for Organising a Training Check-List for Facilitating a Training

- Nonviolent Campaigns

What Makes a Campaign Nonviolent Planning Nonviolent Campaigns Constructive Programme The Movement Action Plan (updated) Forms of Nonviolent Action Stages of Escalation Role of media Campaign case study guide

- Organising for Effective Nonviolent Actions

Sending the protest message Coping with the stress and strain of taking a stand Humour and nonviolent actions Working in Groups: affinity groups, group process, decision making Techniques for consensus decision making in large groups: the spokespersons council method (New) Check list for planning an action Roles in, before, and after an action Legal support Jail support Evaluation

- Stories and Strategies

Introduction International solidarity campaign with South Africa Seabrook - Wyhl - Marckolsheim - transnational links in a chain of campaigns International Antimilitarist marches Chile: Gandhi's Insights Gave People Courage to Defy Chile's Dictatorship Israel - New Profile learns from the experience of others Turkey- Building a nonviolent culture The applications of Augusto Boal's “Theatre of Oppressed” in Turkey South Korea - Challenges and successes of working in nonviolence Peace Community of San José de Apartadó,Colombia : A lesson of resistance, dignity and courage Bombspotting - towards an European Campaign 15th of May - International Day of Conscientious Objection

- Exercises for Working in Nonviolence

Introduction Hassle - Parallel line Conflict line Brainstorming Speak out A gender dialogue for peacebuilders Why do what teacher says? (new) Who Has Power in a School? (new) 10/10 strategies The tree Pillars of power Spectrum of allies Consequences of fear Tree and wind Decision making Cross spectrum Role playing Forum Theatre Tools for Grounding, Protecting, and Blockading Spectrum or Barometer

- Do it Yourself

- Handbook glossary of terms

- Resources

Resources for the printed version

- A.J. Muste Memorial Institute International Nonviolence Training Fund

- Links to WRI network

If you want to order printed copies of the handbook you can go to http://wri-irg.org/node/8410.

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http://www.communitybuilders.nsw.gov.au/getting_organised/message/media1.html http://www.octobertech.com/october/handbook.nsf/pages/Media http://www.unicef.org/righttoknow/index_mediacampaign.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/actionnetwork/A4288908 http://www.ruckus.org/article.php?list=type&type=18

Online media centres/contact examples:

http://www.jubileedebtcampaign.org.uk/media http://www.greenpeace.org/international/press/

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Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, www.peacewomen.org. Includes women's peace and security resources, with materials from many cultures and contexts and a number of handbooks and training resources.See also http://www.peacewomen.org/resources/Organizing/organizingindex.html The Inclusive Security Sustainable Peace: A Toolkit for Advocacy and Action. Developed by International Alert and Women Waging Peace,available in PDF format at:http:// www.womenbuildingpeace.org or http://www.womenwagingpeace.net Advocacy Guide for Feminists, http://www.awid.org/eng/Issues-and-Analysis/Library/An-advocacy-guide-for-feminists Claiming Justice, Claiming Rights: A Guide for Women Human Rights Defenders, http://www.defendingwomen-defendingrights.org/pdf2007/book3Neo.pdf\ International Women's Partnership for Peace and Justice: http://www.womenforpeaceandjustice.org/ Women Peacemakers Program: http://www.ifor.org/WPP/index.html Women in Black: http://www.womeninblack.org/

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Each of these resources is deeply connected to a particular country and cultural context, but as examples, they can provide ideas and inspiration for people everywhere.

Training for Change, USA. Resources on diversity and anti-oppression, http://www.trainingforchange.org/content/category/4/28/56/index.html Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice, Paul Kivel, New Society Publishers, 2002. A book written for white activists working against racism within the United States. ISBN 0865714592, 9780865714595 Confronting Racism in Communities: Guidelines and Resources for Anti-Racism Training Resources, David Hollinsworth. A training manual produced for groups addressing racism in Australia. The document is available as a pdf on the Web from the Change Agency Education and Training Institute: http://www.thechangeagency.org/_dbase_upl/Anti-Racism%20Training.pdf Henry Martyn Institute, India: Henry Martyn Institute in Hyderabad, India, established itself as a an ecumenical Christian organisation, dedicated to the objective study and teaching of Islam and the promotion of interfaith dialogue. In recent years, however, its work has expanded to include a praxis program and training for communities in addressing religious and various identity-based conflicts in Indian communities. Contact: Henry Martyn Institute, 6-3-128/1, Beside National Police Academy,Shivarampally, Hyderabad - 500 052• India E-mail:hyd1_hmiis@sancharnet.in Web: http://www.hmiindia.com/index.htm The Praxis Program details are here: http://www.hmiindia.com/praxis_crVision.htm Soulforce is an organisation committed to using nonviolence to end violence against gays, lesbians, bi-sexuals and transgendered people (LGBT) in the United States. The mission of Soulforce is to cut off homophobia at its source: religious bigotry. It applies the creative direct action principles taught by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. to peacefully resist injustice and demand full equality for LGBT citizens and same-gender families. Their Website includes videos, articles, handouts, and action campaign ideas: http://www.soulforce.org/index.php

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Activist Trauma Support:This Website is primarily for political activists who may be injured during or by their political activities and/or who are struggling with other mental health issues related to activism. Resources are available in many different languages: http://www.activist-trauma.net T-team: a collective of activists in Tel Aviv, historical Palestine, who've come together to support activists going through intense emotional (and post-traumatic) experiences as a result of their work: http://the-t-team.blogspot.com/ Emotional self-management for activists, Chris Barker, Brian Martin and Mary Zournazi, published in Reflective Practice, Vol. 9, No. 4, November 2008, pp. 423-435. Available on the web at: http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/08rp.html

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Papers on Nonviolent Action and Cooperative Decision-Making, Randy Schutt. A nonviolence trainer’s sample agendas and workshop notes dealing with preparing for nonviolent action, nonviolent action strategic planning, cooperative decision-making, and interpersonal behaviour: http://www.vernalproject.org/RPapers/html INNATE: Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training & Education. Consensus for Small Groups: an introduction and worksheets. More resources on nonviolence training available at http://www.innatenonviolence.org/workshops/consensussmallgroups.shtml

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Jo Freeman, The Tyranny of Structurelessness, 1970, at http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/hist_texts/structurelessness.html

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DIY or Die: Website with links to different resources for nonviolent direct action: http://www.sprayism.com/dawiki/doku.php?id=guides The activist tool box: Nonviolence direct action tool box: http://www.uhc-collective.org.uk/webpages/toolbox/index.htm Peace News tools section: Collection of different resources in nonviolence from practical tools to nonviolence analysis: http://peacenews.info/tools/index.php Starhawk's Resources for Activism Trainers: Resources for nonviolent direct action and anti-oppression trainers/preparers, magical activism workshop facilitators, and consensus decision making: http://www.starhawk.org/activism/trainer-resources/trainer-resources.htm National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance: Nonviolent Direct Action Checklist: http://iraqpledge.org/checklist.html

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How to Win Campaigns: 100 Steps to Success, Chris Rose, Earthscan 2005. The Strategy of Nonviolent Defense, Robert J. Burrowes, State University of New York Press, 1996. Justice Ignited: The Dynamics of Backfire, Brian Martin, Rowman & Littlefield,2007. For a full list of publication by Brian Martin: http://www.uow.edu.au/arts/sts/bmartin/pubs/ Doing Democracy: The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements, Bill Moyer (with JoAnn McAllister, Mary Lou Finley, and Steven Soifer), Gabriola Island: New Society Publishers, 2001, 228 pages. Includes Movement Action Plan – a tool of strategic analysis for nonviolent movements. Resources on the Movement Action Plan can be accessed at: http://www.turning-the-tide.org/files/Bill%20Moyer%208-stages%20Social%20Movements%20Hand-out.pdf

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The Albert Einstein Institution: nonviolent action, frequently asked questions about nonviolent action, 198 methods of nonviolent action, applications of nonviolent action, case studies, publications on nonviolent action in many languages: http://www.aeinstein.org Sharp, Gene, The Politics of Nonviolent Action, Boston, Porter Sargent, 1973, 3 volumes. Now classic analysis of the theory and dynamics of nonviolent action and an exhaustive list of methods with examples. Includes extensive bibliographical information. People Power and Protest since 1945: a bibliography on nonviolent action, April Carter, Howard Clark, and Michael Randle, Housmans 2006. Online at http://www.civilresistance.info/bibliography Waging Nonviolence, This blog is a community and a resource for news, analysis and discussion on the many ways that ordinary people around the globe are using nonviolence every day, often under the most difficult circumstances. http://wagingnonviolence.org/ Articles on civil resistance suggested by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict: http://civilresistance.net/?page_id=12 Books on civil resistance suggested by the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict: http://civilresistance.net/?page_id=5 Books and articles by Brian Martin ( author and researcher on power dynamics through an interplay of theory and case studies, including nonviolent action, dissent and scientific controversies): http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/peace.html How to Wage Peace & Justice - Tools for Activists, PeaceWork: http://www.peaceworkmagazine.org/how-wage-peace-justice-tools-activists Nonviolence Training, New Tactics - Tactical Dialogues: http://www.newtactics.org/en/blog/new-tactics/training-nonviolent-action Global Nonviolent Action Database, Swarthmore College: http://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/

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Resource Manual for a Living Revolution, Virginia Coover, Ellen Deacon, Charles Esser, and Christopher Moore, Philadelphia, New Society Publishers, first edition 1977, latest 1985, 351 pages. Familiarly known as the ‘Monster Manual’, this was the comprehensive sourcebook for English-speaking nonviolence trainers in the 1970s and 1980s, produced collectively within the United States by Movement for a New Society.

Nonviolent Action Handbook, Beck, Sanderson, Goleta, California, World Peace Communications, 2002, 95 pages. Introductory texts, downloadable or as print copies from World Peace Communications, 495 Whitman St. #A, Goleta, CA 93117, USA. http://san.beck.org/NAH1-Nonviolence.html

Nonviolence Training Project, Nonviolence Trainers Resource Manual, Melbourne, Australia, May 1995, 211 pages. Wide-ranging manual with sections on defining nonviolence, power and conflict, learning from other movements, strategic frameworks, nonviolence and communication, working in groups, and preparing for nonviolent action. Downloadable as a pdf from: http://www.nonviolence.org.au/downloads/trainers_resource_manual_may05.pdf

The Ruckus Society Website offers manuals on action planning and media among other topics, plus numerous links to other Websites: http://www.ruckus.org/

Handbook for Nonviolent Action, New York, War Resisters League, Donnelly/Colt Graphix, 1989, 36 pages. Designed as a tool for learning about different aspects of nonviolent civil disobedience actions. Most of it can be downloaded as part of ACT UP New York's Manual for Civil Disobedience: http://www.actupny.org/documents/CDdocuments/CDindex.html

Seeds for Change: A British-based network that provides training resources including: consensus and facilitation, groups and meetings, practical skills for campaigning groups: http://seedsforchange.org.uk/free/resources

Rant Collective: A trainers' collective that offers resources on action planning & structures, anti-oppression, media, and strategy: http://www.rantcollective.net/article.php?list=type&type=17

INNATE (Irish Network for Nonviolent Action Training & Education): Wide selection of resources in nonviolence including: introduction to nonviolence, nonviolence and Christian belief, approaches to conflict, consensus decision making, and much more: http://www.innatenonviolence.org/resources/index.shtml

''Caritas: Resource Kits for Peace Builders '': Caritas has developed this site to contain resources for peace building training and learning. It includes Resource Kits on specific topics and other tools for learning design and facilitation: http://peacebuilding.caritas.org/index.php/Home

International Center on Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) list of manuals: http://civilresistance.net/?page_id=44

Handbook for Nonviolent Action: A nonviolence training handbook for direct action against nuclear weapons in Oak Ridge, TN, USA. The Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance, June 2005: http://www.stopthebombs.org/content/documents/nonviolencemanual.pdf

Nonviolence International list of recommended manuals and other publications: http://nonviolenceinternational.net/?page_id=639

Training for Change list of books and manuals: http://www.trainingforchange.org/publications/Books%20%2526%20Manuals

Engage: Exploring Nonviolent Living, Peace and Bene Nonviolence Service: Full of stories, exercises and resources, Engage is a workbook to learn, study and practice the nonviolent options available to us. It offers a guide for groups on how to take action for justice and peace in the midst of war, injustice and environmental destruction: http://paceebene.org/book/engage

Rhizome: A cooperative which brings together the skills and experience of a network of facilitators. They have extensive resources on group facilitation and consensus decision making: http://rhizomenetwork.wordpress.com/resources/

Backfire manual: tactics against injustice, Brian Martin, Irene Publishing 2012. The Backfire Manual outlines the backfire model and gives examples and exercises for using it. This is a practical handbook for being more effective whenever you face a powerful, dangerous opponent. http://www.bmartin.cc/pubs/12bfm/