Direct action - Non violent NVDA - The Commons Social Change Library

A group of people seated in a large square in Ulaanbatar, Mongolia. One person is holding a flag. They are holding a hunger strike.

Authoritarianism to Democracy: The Story of Mongolia

Learn about the story and the tactics (protests, hunger strikes) that led to Mongolia’s change from authoritarianism to democracy.

Campaign Tactics

Learn all about tactics for your campaigns including how to adapt their tone for different events and explore different examples.

Cheeky and Disorganized: Nannagogy and the Knitting Nannas

Learn about the 6 characteristics of the Knitting Nannas, groups of cheeky, disorganised, supportive older women activists against fracking.

Front cover of zine titled 'Defiance creates hope'. Subtitle reads 'Powerful grassroots action for a free Palestine, in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia), between October 2023 and January 2024.' Illlustraion of protestors beating drums and holding flags.

Defiance Creates Hope Zine: Grassroots Action for a Free Palestine

A short zine celebrating grassroots action for a free Palestine, in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia between October 2023 and January 2024.

Democracy Resource Hub

The Democracy Hub has a wide range of nonviolent tools and resources for anti-authoritarian and pro-democracy organizing.

A group of protestors stand in front of a banner that reads 'Close Pine Gap.' There is a black cockatoo on the banner. Another sign at the foot of the protestor reads 'Pine Gap Hard wired into US war crimes'. Four out of the five protestors are wearing anti war tshirts.

Prophetic Witness Against the War Machine [The Peace Pilgrims and Pine Gap]

The story of the Peace Pilgrims nonviolent protest and arrest in 2016 at Pine Gap, an American military base in the Northern Territory, Australia.

A wall in Bethlehem, Palestine with a painting of a woman wearing a black head covering. On her shoulder is a butterfly, a red flower and a heart. The text in the right hand corner reads 'A just peace for Palestine, means peace for Israel too.'

3 Key Insights for Building a Powerful and Loving Movement against Oppression in Palestine-Israel

Rae Abileah and Nadine Bloch from Beautiful Trouble shared these key insights during Israel’s bombing of Gaza in October 2023.

A large crowd of people standing in front of and on the Berlin Wall with the Brandenberg Gate in the background.

From the Berlin Wall to Today — Lessons for Harnessing the Moment of the Whirlwind

What mainstream commentators get wrong about the historic uprisings of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and what civil resistance gets right.

Large group of climate protesters at a climate rally holding various signs and placards. Text over the top of image reads: "Climate Activism: Start Here"

Climate Activism: Start Here

A strong climate movement means meaningful change. Here’s a list of resources to help you on your climate activism journey.

Australian Blockading Handbooks

A collection of Australian Blockading Handbooks from the 1980s to the present including the Daintree, Franklin River, Jabiluka, etc.

Text over image reads Organising a civil disobedience so that new people want to do it again: Lessons from Ende Gelande. Four people are sitting on the ground in white workers suits.

Organising Civil Disobedience for Newcomers

350.org shares valuable lessons on organizing civil disobedience for newcomers, emphasizing trust-building, narrative development, preparation for repression, affinity groups, and post-action debriefing.

A group of police officers stand side by side, surrounded by seated activists with arms interlinked.

Nonviolent Direct Action (NVDA): Start Here

Suggestions from the Commons Librarians about resources to explore in the Nonviolent Direct Action topic area, including NVDA theory, practical guides and case studies.

5 black and white photos with a yellow wavy lines overlaying them. First image is of thousands of protestors at Walk on Washington, 2nd image is a portrait of a woman representing Rosa Parks, 3rd image is a portrait etching of Gandhi, fourth image is of a group of Aboriginal Australians protesting holding the Aboriginal flag, 5th image is protestors on a boat on the Franklin River. The heading reads 'Nonviolence Training: A short history".

Nonviolence Training: A Brief History

A brief history of nonviolence training around the world, Australia and in the Pacific by a group called Pt’Chang.

Hold the Line: A Guide to Defending Democracy

Learn what “red lines” needed to be held during the election, step-by-step information for organizing in your community, and lessons from the field of civil resistance that can be applied to make change on a range of issues.

How Democratic States Can Effectively Support Pro-Democracy Movements

A curated and comprehensive list of tools for democracies and their representatives to conduct an effective assistance program to nonviolent pro-democracy movements.