Thank you! I am sharing this to FB. I will be going to the local march in Rochester tomorrow--wearing sneakers in case I need to run. But I am betting that the trouble will be in DC if there is trouble. At least this time.
One piece I believe you left out - the nearly magical power if Circle.
We have used encircling in hundreds of incidents, msny of them involving police and other authorities. Often our targets were armed. Often they were angry, disturbed and sometimes even psychotic. But when we circle around them and ONE of us speaks gently and directly yo the violent person we can disarm the person, always we successfully stop the violence. Usually, when cops are involved the arrest occurs anyway but peacefully. There have been times when we suggested other outcomes that were accepted.
I'm wondering how you square this circle: the organizers of this weekend's protests leave out any mention of Gaza/genocide and are demanding "hands off" NATO. Help me to understand why you would attend an event that explicitly ignores the worst crime humanity is capable of while simultaneously endorsing WW3? NATO is led by barbaric warmongers and intent on provoking both Russia and China into greater and greater conflict escalation. I'm genuinely curious as to your reasoning here.
Not Starhawk here obviously but to share my thoughts: don't let perfection become the enemy of good. There is a time for ideology and a time for strategy, and right now BY FAR the most strategically important thing for us to do is unite in the biggest tent possible, which means that we are not going to be in complete ideological agreement.
Also there is nothing stopping you from showing up at the protest with signs in support of Gaza. Just because you can't control what the organizers say or do different mean your only alternative is to refuse to participate at all.
Also keep in mind the point of this particular protest. Is it about stopping the genocide, or about stopping the advance of fascism in the US? Obviously both issues are related to some degree, but just because genocide is the most heinous crime of all doesn't mean that it is the only issue we face, or that it is somehow pointless to protest other things.
Another option is if you're sitting in a row like at a town hall in seats, or even walking you link arms and you hold your own wrists when you're holding tight like that they can't separate you. You can form a circle of li ked arms around a person - cops will have a hard time separating you. It's elbows linked and hold your own wrists.
Thank you! I'd share to FB, but they've already blocked my account with a very odd 'error message' Best I can do is restack here. And share with a friend who does go to marches - she'll share, and who knows how many others will too. I'm old, slow and fragile, dammit. But sharing does help.
Thank you! I am sharing this to FB. I will be going to the local march in Rochester tomorrow--wearing sneakers in case I need to run. But I am betting that the trouble will be in DC if there is trouble. At least this time.
Thank you for sharing these constructive nonviolent actions! Most helpful!
Hey there from CT . Yesterday was a good day!
An ye harm none do as you list...
Ooops. I should mention that the circle shoild remain somewhat distant. The target violent-prone individual must not feel threatened.
One piece I believe you left out - the nearly magical power if Circle.
We have used encircling in hundreds of incidents, msny of them involving police and other authorities. Often our targets were armed. Often they were angry, disturbed and sometimes even psychotic. But when we circle around them and ONE of us speaks gently and directly yo the violent person we can disarm the person, always we successfully stop the violence. Usually, when cops are involved the arrest occurs anyway but peacefully. There have been times when we suggested other outcomes that were accepted.
I'm wondering how you square this circle: the organizers of this weekend's protests leave out any mention of Gaza/genocide and are demanding "hands off" NATO. Help me to understand why you would attend an event that explicitly ignores the worst crime humanity is capable of while simultaneously endorsing WW3? NATO is led by barbaric warmongers and intent on provoking both Russia and China into greater and greater conflict escalation. I'm genuinely curious as to your reasoning here.
Not Starhawk here obviously but to share my thoughts: don't let perfection become the enemy of good. There is a time for ideology and a time for strategy, and right now BY FAR the most strategically important thing for us to do is unite in the biggest tent possible, which means that we are not going to be in complete ideological agreement.
Also there is nothing stopping you from showing up at the protest with signs in support of Gaza. Just because you can't control what the organizers say or do different mean your only alternative is to refuse to participate at all.
Also keep in mind the point of this particular protest. Is it about stopping the genocide, or about stopping the advance of fascism in the US? Obviously both issues are related to some degree, but just because genocide is the most heinous crime of all doesn't mean that it is the only issue we face, or that it is somehow pointless to protest other things.
thank you Star, for this and your other timely, helpful posts. sending love...RR
Another option is if you're sitting in a row like at a town hall in seats, or even walking you link arms and you hold your own wrists when you're holding tight like that they can't separate you. You can form a circle of li ked arms around a person - cops will have a hard time separating you. It's elbows linked and hold your own wrists.
Thank you! I'd share to FB, but they've already blocked my account with a very odd 'error message' Best I can do is restack here. And share with a friend who does go to marches - she'll share, and who knows how many others will too. I'm old, slow and fragile, dammit. But sharing does help.
How about if you yell out a lie? Like someone we all dislike choked on a burger?
Would mooning, lifting up your shirt exposing your breasts, or stripping distract them?
Right on sister! Been on this path since Martin Luther King
Hi Star Hawk. Belvie. Thanks so much for this! Here they go again! Trying to remember the last time we saw each other!
Thank you. This is very good information! 👍🏼
Thank you for this.
Thank you Starhawk. I shared this on facebook. This gave me some good ideas.