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When I think about nonviolent resistance, the nonviolent protests of the 50s and 60s come to mind. I remember the 1963 picture from Birmingham, Alabama, of men and women walking down the street being attacked by police dogs and sprayed with water from fire hoses.
I remember the picture from1957 in New York City, when close to 2,000 people, mostly black men in suits and bow ties, were standing outside of the police station.
More recently … St. Louis 2020, a married couple pointing a handgun and an AR-15 style rifle at Black Lives Matter nonviolent protesters.
And violent resistance can reveal the group’s strength and capabilities, therefore easily attracting more followers. This also forces opponents to take them more seriously.
Malcolm X acknowledges the thin line between violent and nonviolent resistance. In the gospel of Matthew 26:36-46, we can see the struggle between nonviolent and violent resistance. While praying or soon afterwards, the Roman soldiers came to arrest Jesus. Peter almost immediately grabs a sword, while Jesus on the other hand, walks calmly towards the arresting officer.
Nonviolent resistance is “a strategy employed to express political dissent and initiate change without the use of violence.” Gene Sharp states that “Nonviolent action refers to those methods of protest, resistance, and intervention without physical violence in which the members of the nonviolent group do, or refuse to do, certain things.
Nonviolent resistance is the direct opposite of violent resistance. Nonviolent resistance is what is called the long game. It calls for strategic social change in order to achieve goals. The protests or resistance include forms of non-cooperation protests such as boycotts, disobedience and protests without inflicting physical or verbal harm. They build their base or followers, which takes time and effort, and could be costly to their time, talent and treasures. The ultimate goal of nonviolent resistance is to win over and appeal to their sense of humanity and justice. This fosters dialogue instead of conflict.
Some Key Characteristics of Nonviolent Resistance
Broader Participation – the nonviolent movement involves people from all backgrounds – ethnicity, gender and physical abilities.
Focus on Humanity – the nonviolent movement appeals to the humanity of their opponent, fostering dialogue instead of conflict. The aim is restorative justice, restorative relationships.
Systematic Approach – nonviolent resistance requires the long game strategy with clear objectives, identifiable leaders and trained participants.
Long-term commitment – the effectiveness and success of nonviolent resistance depend immensely on persistence and faith in the future of society.
According to Erica Chenoweth, “… there’s no evidence to suggest that nonviolent protests on their own are successful, but nonviolent resistance as a category of action, meaning the combination of protest, strikes, boycotts, stay-aways, and other forms of nonviolent action can together have a lot of potential for creating political and social change …” She goes further to say that nonviolent resistance is far more effective than armed insurrection because more people, more communities are willing to join and engage. There is strength and power in the numbers.
The Future of Nonviolent Actions
The question to ask is whether nonviolent resistance should take on the characteristics of the oppressor or the oppressed?
According to Erica Chenoweth, people from around the world see nonviolent resistance as a successful and legitimate way of creating social change. Also, technology makes it easier to reach out to people who previously did not know about nonviolent actions. We have seen this, especially during 2020 when simultaneous events were happening across the U.S. and Europe. Thirdly, which is the most exciting, segments of the global society “have come to value and expect fairness, human rights protection and the avoidance of violence.”
Contemporary movements need to be strategic in their approach, incorporating mass demonstrations, as well as general strikes, boycotts, civil disobedience, sit-ins, stay-at-homes, and online teach-ins. There needs to be more staying power that exerts ongoing pressure, leverage, power and participation. And the organization of the people in the shadows. The people in the shadows may need to crowdsource to provide the relief funds, protective gear, run errands, and distribute vital supplies.
Nonviolent resistance movements or actions need to stray away from the leaderless resistance and form small core groups that can plan, negotiate, be sustainable and establish shared goals.
Lastly, the violent fringes must be addressed. Violent interrupters and disrupters are not a new phenomenon. History has shown infiltration by opponents posing as friends and supporters. Nonviolent peacekeepers, problem-solvers, negotiators and mediators are needed to keep vigilant during times of action.
Everyone can be a part of nonviolent resistance, from babies carried in harnesses on the back of their parents to groups of 90-year-olds and older gathering to pray. There is room and a role to play for financial executives to lead crowdfunding and relief fund efforts, and the bike messenger running errands, delivering food and other vital essentials.
If a nonviolent action happened tomorrow, would you participate? What role would you play? Why or why not?
Call to Action — Groups to Connect With
Pax Christi USA – The spirituality of nonviolence, the practice of nonviolence, nonviolence education and a nonviolent lifestyle have been the central charism of Pax Christi USA since its founding in 1972.
Pax Christi International – The global Catholic peace movement dedicated to promoting Gospel nonviolence, justice and reconciliation rooted in Catholic social teaching.
Poor People’s Campaign – A national call for moral revival has picked up the unfinished work of Martin Luther King Jr.
The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, are a congregation of Roman Catholic women religious (sisters) who minister throughout the United States and Taiwan. Saint Mother Theodore Guerin founded the Sisters of Providence in 1840. The congregation has a mission of being God's Providence in the world by committing to performing works of love, mercy and justice in service among God's people.
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