CHESTER, Vt. – There’s a lot going on these days: large-scale pro-democracy demonstrations all across the country; smaller weekly rallies in response to various political threats; the occasional sit-in at a municipal, state, or federal buildings.
There comes a time when passive demonstrations with clever signs are not enough to respond to escalating authoritarianism. If you are ready to do more, you might consider joining other concerned citizens who will meet for a nonviolent direct action (NVDA) training on Sunday, Aug. 17, from 1-5:30 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chester’s Stone Village.
Among other topics, the training will cover the effectiveness of nonviolence, finding courage to act, de-escalation, and how to make social change in solidarity with others.
Steve Crofter and Laurel Green have decades of experience with political action, and have recently begun preparing Vermonters with a one-day workshop in the principles and practice of NVDA. They are offering the training, as Green puts it, because “many people are taking part in rallies and protests without training. Even learning the basics of NVDA can help them gain confidence, become more effective, de-escalate conflict, and keep one another safe.” Crofter adds that, “statistics show that nonviolence is about twice as effective as violence in creating meaningful change.”
Please register by contacting Steve Dock at styeve35@gmail.com. Include your name, town, organizational affiliation if any, and phone number, as well as any questions you may have.There will be a limit of 30 participants, so sign up soon.
“Nonviolence was not a tactic we chose out of weakness or cowardice. We adopted it because we saw it as a tool of strength – a moral and political force capable of transforming even the most entrenched structures of oppression. Through disciplined, peaceful resistance, we could expose the inhumanity of apartheid to the world and awaken the conscience of humanity.” – Nelson Mandela