Topic

Nonviolent Direct Action

Strategic nonviolence is a rich tradition within social change movements, generating theoretical exploration, research, different group formations and tactical innovation. In this topic you’ll find case studies, manuals, inspiring quotes, training materials, and practical how-to-guides.

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.

Australian Blockading Handbooks

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

Democracy Resource Hub

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

Directory of Social Change Organisations, Networks, Trainers and Hubs

An A – Z directory of organisations, networks, trainers and hubs around the world that focus on social change, social movements, organising, justice and peacebuilding.

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.

Human rights protesters, one in a skeleton suit wearing a military hat and one with the words "My Business is Making a Killing in Chile" on their back.

Grevillea: Creative Interventions in Western Australia during the 1990s

An interview with a member of the Western Australia-based Grevillea about how the group applied a dynamic and creative perspective to approaching issues such as militarism, pollution and international solidarity during the 1980s and 1990s.

Report cover - Title reads 'Animal Rising's Grand National Protest: Public Opinion Impacts and Beyond'. Photo of animal rights protestors wearing pink t-shirts that read 'Animal Rising'. They are on grass some are standing some are kneeling or sitting with their hands handcuffed behind their backs surround by police.

The Effect of Protests and Media Reporting on Public Opinion Impacts: A Case Study

Research from the UK on the effectiveness of disruptive animal rights protests and media reporting on UK public attitudes towards animals. Introduction Animal Rising disrupted the 2023 Grand National, the biggest horse racing event in the UK, kickstarting a national conversation about society’s relationship with animals. We conducted nationally representative public opinion polling to […]

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.

Two May Day marchers carrying a banner in 1973 that reads "Support BLF Green Bans"

Green Bans Timeline: 1971-74

A timeline of the Green Bans implemented by NSW Builders Labourers Federation (BLF) in the early 1970s.

Working Tirelessly for Peace and Equality Civil Resistance and Peacebuilding in Liberia

Examining approaches of the various actors involved in civil resistance and peace building throughout each phase of conflict in Liberia.

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.

$A room full of people at an auction for fracking land parcels in Brazil. There is a large screen projector with a woman talking into a microphone. Three people are standing up holding no fracking posters.$

Creating Bold Safe Actions Despite Repression: Lessons from Brazil

Lessons learned and tips from 350.org about making escalated actions bold and safe. These tips were learnt after an action in Brazil against fracking in 2015

Making Protest Accessible: Tips and Checklists for Actions

Tips and checklists for planning and running accessible protests and other actions.

Book cover. Title reads Radicals Outsiders Changing the World by Jamie Bartlett. A illustration of a man sitting in a suit wearing boots and a red tie. His head is in a shadow. The background is red.

Radicals: Outsiders Changing the World – Book Review

A book review of Radicals: Outsiders Changing the World by Jamie Barlett. This book review focuses on the ‘radical’ climate activists.

Organising Stories and Lessons from the 350 Organising Story Telling Lab

Collection of different case studies / stories of organising and movements from across the globe collated and presented by 350.org.

6 report covers of publications in Turkish about organizing, nonviolence and campaigning.

Nonviolent Campaigning, Organising and Wellbeing Resources | Şiddetsiz Kampanya, Örgütlenme ve Esenlik Kaynakları (Turkish – Türkçe)

A collection of resources on nonviolence, campaigning, organising and well being in Turkish collated by Şiddetsizlik Merkezi.

How to Win Well: Civil Resistance Breakthroughs and the Path to Democracy

Civil resistance-Moving from dictatorship to democracy. Negotiations & elections are the breakthroughs that lead to more democratic outcomes.

The Role of External Support in Nonviolent Campaigns: Poisoned Chalice or Holy Grail?