<< Website Home NEXT >>
Pocket Guide to the Practice of Relentless Nonviolent Resistance
By Mel White
INTRO
- Cover and Dedication
Section I. Becoming Aware of the Storm
Fundamentalist Christians, billionaire capitalists and extremist Republicans
“…a grim recital of the current reactionary takeover of state government”
3. Extremist’s Current Targets
II. PROTEST
Remember there are rules or guidelines for effective nonviolent protest
Nonviolent resistance and Gandhi’s Satyagraha (The Force of Truth or Soul Force)
6. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi and Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount
7. Coretta Scott King On Gandhi’s Influence On Her Husband
8. Gandhi’s Principles of Relentless Nonviolent Resistance
A brief and easily remembered summary
9. King’s ultimate goal of the civil rights movement
Reconciliation and the Beloved Community
10. Martin Sheen on Why We Protest
Martin obeys the Creator’s call to do justice for his sake and the sake of others
11. Every Faith Tradition Calls Us To Do Justice
Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism
12. Start with Compassion in Action
Do something for those who suffer before trying to cut off that suffering at its source
III. RESIST
13. Nonviolent Protest’s Core Principles
14. One – See Yourself In A Whole New Way
Credo: What I believe that helps me see myself in a whole new way
15. Two – See Your Adversary In A Whole New Way
Credo: What I believe that helps me see my adversary in a whole new way
16. Three – Necessary Confrontation
Bring truth to your adversary and confront untruth wherever you find it
17. Four – Bring Truth To Your Adversary Nonviolently
18. Five – Bring Truth To Your Adversary Relentlessly
19. Six – Be Willing To Suffer
Be willing to take on voluntary redemptive suffering (not involuntary suffering)
20. Seven – Reconcile With Your Adversary
Reconciling will help bring in the “Beloved Community”
IV. PREPARE
21. Protest Organizer’s Checklist
A checklist for organizing an effective protest
Ten suggestions for Conducting Nonviolent Negotiations
23. Conducting Nonviolent Direct Actions
Thirteen suggestions
24. Conducting Effective Nonviolent Direct Actions and Negotiations
A few extra tips for conducting more effective nonviolent direct actions and negotiations
25. Before the Action Begins – MAKE YOUR CASE
26. Before the Action Begins – TAKE YOUR VOW
27. Nonviolent Direct Actions to Consider
from Gene Sharp’s The Politics of Nonviolent Action
V. PLAN THE ACTION
-
- Start with a destination: choosing and visiting site of your proposed nonviolent direct action
- Basic kinds of vigils to consider
29. Initial Administrative Actions
-
- Choosing headquarters
- Contacting local officials
- Recruiting participant
- Developing a theme
30. Promotion and Follow Through
-
- Promoting event
- Developing visuals
- Communicating at vigil
- Follow through after vigil
-
- Squad leader’s role
- Squad formation
- Squad leader’s checklist
VI. ACTION DAY
-
- Convene group
- List of names and information cards
- Check-in with everyone
- Centering exercise
- Make sure everyone understands
- Remind everyone how quickly things can change
-
- Be attentive to each individual
- Keep track each squad member throughout action
- After the arrest
- Above all, stay calm
Using the Media Wisely: The Media are using you to sell soap. Use them to sell truth
35. Guidelines for a Nonviolent March
36. Guidelines for Conducting a Nonviolent Vigil
37. Check List for Those Who Vigil
VII. CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
38. Preparing for Possible Arrest
39. To Risk or Not to Risk Getting Arrested
Serious Issues to Consider before Making your Decision
40. Guidelines for Responding to Sudden Unexpected Violence
41. Avoiding Arrest
To Avoid Arrest – Follow all Procedures Very Carefully
VIII. WHEN ARRESTED
42. Warning, Arrest and Holding Area
43. Arrested- Transport, Processing, Booking
44. Court Pleas– Guilty, Non Guilty, or No Contest
45. Guidelines for a Nonviolent Civil Rights March
IX. EXTREMISTS’ TARGETS
46. Resist the Extremist’s War on the 99 Percent
47. Resist the Extremist’s War on Immigration Reform
48. Resist for African-American Men
49. Resist the Extremist’s War on the Poor
50. Protest the Extremist’s War on Women
51. Resist the Extremist’s War on Voting Rights
52. Resist the Extremist’s War on LGBTQ Rights
53. Resist the Extremist’s War on Gun Reform
54. Resist the Extremist’s War on the Environment
55. Resist the Extremist’s War on Health Care Reform
56. Resist The Extremist’s War On Campaign Finance Reform
57. Resist Extremist’s War On HIV/Aids Services And Research
58. Resist The Extremist’s War On The Public Schools
59. Resist The Extremist War On Prison Reform
60. Resist The Extremist War On Seniors
X. TAKE THE VOW
61. The Pax Christi Vow of Nonviolence
APPENDIX