From behind the stools, white men start taunting the mixed row of mostly black students who had the audacity to sit there. "He's so dark the whole room is darkened." "Nobody ain't gonna sit beside them dirty niggers." Those on the swiveling seats at the counter answer only with an unshakable look of dignity.  Frustrated, the men from behind start pushing and shoving. Still no response from those on the stools. Then they launch the attack: hurling obscenities, throwing milk shakes and live cigarette buts, grabbing and punching. Lenses capture the scene. The whole world watches in shock.

There is an interesting post today on A VC about the evolution of blogging. I concur with the author
when he states that he hates the term ‘Blogging 2.0′, but for lack of a
better term I’ll roll with it.

Last month's featured online dialogue will focus on using video for human rights advocacy. Filmmakers and communities are using the power of video to change the world around them for the better. This Featured Online Dialogue will focus on ways in which these mechanisms can be utilized and how their mandates and resources can address social change. New Tactics is pleased to host these experienced resource practitioners from seven countries.

The goal of training in nonviolent conflict is to prepare activists and supporters politically, physically, and psychologically to wage powerful campaigns and actions. Here are nine ways nonviolent action workshops help individuals hone their skills and nurture the courage and resilience they need to withstand the pressures of unarmed struggle.

The first post is always the most difficult for me. I told Kristin that
it might take some time before I find my voice here
at New Tactics. This is a much different venue than where I am used to
contributing. I'm a tech writer, and, honestly, I'm a little
intimidated by all of you. You are are real life Activists. You wake

It's not like you state your case, show the damage, the injustice... and then they say they're sorry and mend their ways.
 

Let's face it: some opponents are ruthless. They just don't seem to care. Public opinion doesn't sway their behaviour.

Take gold mining corporations that have wrought horrible, unspeakable environmental destruction. Some use cyanide — cyanide! — to extract from open pit wounds the 2% to 3% of precious gold content, leaving the remaining poisonous 97% to leach and seep, for generations.

Water. Public health. Farming and the right to eat. The environment. Global sanity. What can you do? Whole communities are at stake.

A number of mining companies don't care much about communities. They will, and they have, killed for the money. And once the money is gone, they're gone.

How do you influence a company that doesn't seem to care about anything? Faced with an opponent that is impervious to logic, human sensitivity and public pressure, where do you turn?

What's this?

I write about software and web applications at my blog, Matt's Cuppa, and I've recently introduced a polling system to the blog. My last poll closed today and I found the results rather interesting.

From the days of the Home Rule struggle in India to large-scale actions by the environmental and alter-globalization movements, nonviolent action has involved various forms of training in the political art and practical skills of nonviolent conflict for social change. This month's online dialogue will focus on the vital importance of training for nonviolent action. Training ourselves on tactical and strategic nonviolent action is essential to maximize possibilities and results. What does this kind of training entail? Join experienced nonviolent action trainers in sharing methods, resources and experiences from around the world. You'll have the opportunity to share your experiences as well as gain ideas and tools to apply to your efforts. Join the New Tactics community today to participate in this dialogue!

Do you feel the Earth is getting trashed faster than we seem to be able to save it? Do you sometimes share in the despair that our dependance on Big Oil & SUV's — with their attendant wars, food to ethanol follies, and other tar sands insanities — will bring down civilization faster than the ice caps and Greenland are melting?

Petroleum, mining and other corporate interests are in a head-on collision against local, land-based cultures, in a conflict so deep the whole world is its battlefield. Solutions based on morality, human values, respect for nature, and sheer common sense appear more inaccessible now than ever.

It's a battle of two worlds, simply said. A global clash: Earth and living creatures on one side, Cash on the other.

Well, here's how leverage works:

1. Find a place to stand (the support base, also called the fulcrum, or pivot);

2. Find a lever (a long enough stick);

3. Locate the pressure point (where you stick the lever);

4. Work like hell from your end of the stick;

5. Move the world (...thanks Archimedes!)

Because it funds and underwrites all large-scale projects, when you want to save some corner of the planet, you may find yourself in need of moving the world of Finance. That's when knowing about the following four leverage points could come in handy.

There's an idea out there that anyone can take to the streets and make themselves heard. You just head out and start demonstrating to confront power. It's a beautiful idea.

Sooner than later, however, any assertive form of mass mobilization will cross path with agents of authority, be they security guards, police, or military. These forces are armed, and trained.

National Human Rights Institutions can be powerful vehicles for the promotion of human rights. This Featured Online Dialogue will focus on ways in which these mechanisms have utilized their mandates and resources to address issues of discrimination. New Tactics is pleased to host these experienced resource practitioners from eight countries.

A mock tribunal is not a kangoroo court. The more your mock tribunal adheres to recognized standards of a fair trial, and resembles the existing proceedings in your country, the more credibility the endeavour can earn.

We have explained previously how citizen-based mock tribunals make good use of premonitory power, discussed the impact of repressed testimonies towards making truth and reconciliation possible, and covered 14 things to think about before you organize a mock tribunal.

In this last piece on paralegal forums, we turn to practical advice on conducting non-governmental "trials", with some ideas for follow-up activities that can prolong and widen the tribunal's impact.

Photo cc: JaHoVil

When faced with problems such as weak or no enforcement of human rights law, or even the lack of proper national legal instruments, how can you determine whether a mock tribunal is the right tactic for you? What factors should you weigh in before you decide?

And if you thought a citizen-based tribunal could be a useful tactic, how would you go about organizing it? What are some of the steps involved in setting up such a large-scale, public event? For instance, how should you choose those who will play a direct part in it, especially judges (or commissioners)?

In A Mock Tribunal to Advance Change, Mufuliat Fijabi has helped us answer those questions. The following checklist includes some of her advice, and other tips.

You can quickly scan through the list to see what organizing a tribunal entails. The checklist includes 11 "before you organize" items, and 3 "early prep" tasks.

This is a request for ideas and experiences from you - the New Tactics online community, to share with leonida in Kenya.