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Dialogue: The Whole World Stopped Watching (Part II): How "Diversity of Tactics" offers neither

Philippe Duhamel's picture
Posted October 17th, 2008 by Philippe Duhamel
rncNobody can argue against the proven benefits of using a diversity of well-chosen tactics to wage successful struggles. The sequencing of multiple creative tactics ranging from protests to legislative pressures, from secondary boycotts to civil disobedience, has been a fundamental feature of countless successful campaigns. A wide variety of tactics lies at the core of the emphasis nonviolent activists have put for decades on knowing a repertoire of at least 198 methods of action, and on clever ways to sequence them.

But dangerous slips of logic have presided over a protest framework known as "Respect for a Diversity of Tactics". I believe the failure of protests such as the one at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul (USA) last September is inherent in the Diversity of Tactics approach.

Dialogue: The Whole World Stopped Watching: "Diversity of Tactics", Repression, and the RNC protests in St. Paul, Minnesota (Part I)

Philippe Duhamel's picture
Posted September 24th, 2008 by Philippe Duhamel

RNC protestPhoto: Diana Jou

 

On September 1, 2008, several hundred protesters from across mainland USA tried to stop delegates from attending the Republican National Convention at the Xcel Center in the business district of Saint Paul, Minneapolis, where they were going to crown presidential hopeful John McCain.

 

"Crash the Convention" was the order of the day. But politically and number-wise, whose side really got smashed and crushed?

 

Over 800 people arrested. Many more detained and released. House raids in the middle of the night. Eight organizers facing "Conspiracy to Commit Riot in Furtherance of Terrorism", a second degree felony charges. Maximum penalty: seven and a half years in prison. 

 

Deep police infiltration. Pre-emptive searches and seizures. Baton rounds. Concussion and Sponge grenades. Tasers. Pepper spray. Tear gas. 

 

The intense brutality of the crackdown in the Twin Cities was an awful, a hydra monster of gross violations. Outrage and indignation. These are healthy, vital reactions. 

 

But once the emotion subsides, what should be the question?

Dialogue: Nine ways nonviolent action workshops make better activists

Philippe Duhamel's picture
Posted June 17th, 2008 by Philippe Duhamel
Group trainingIn the yard behind Christian Peacemaker Teams' headquarters in Chicago, trainees stage a realistic role-playing exercise to prepare for nonviolent accompaniment work in Hebron. Photo cc: delayed gratification.

 

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.

Dialogue: Nonviolence training, what is it good for?

Philippe Duhamel's picture
Posted May 30th, 2008 by Philippe Duhamel
Line of policephoto cc: treviño

 

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.