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Blog: Civil resistance runs on people power: How to shift allegiances

Philippe Duhamel's picture

Now you do itPowerful opponents seem to have everything: money, guns, supplies, the army and police, institutions and prisons. How can simple citizens, with scarce resources and unarmed, succeed against opponents wielding deadly weapons? “Look at us,” you say, “we are no match.”

Find out about how nonviolent struggle can achieve victory, in large part by shifting alliegeances among three main groups of people.

Blog: Nonviolence training, what is it good for?

Philippe Duhamel's picture

Line of police

photo 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.