Editor’s Note From Rivera Sun
Myanmar’s anti-coup campaign is spectacular in its persistence, size, scope, and ingenuity. Banned from protesting, citizens have started blocking roads by “accidentally” dropping bags of onions and rice, or pausing to tie their shoelaces in crosswalks. People’s cars are mysteriously breaking down all over the country, backing up traffic for miles. Their bold resistance is infusing the global field of civil resistance with new tactics. We can learn a lot from their undaunted and persistent refusal to allow the military coup to remain in power.
This week’s Nonviolence News shares many stories that will make your eyes widen and your jaw drop. Water protectors resisting Enbridge Line 3 Pipeline blockaded over a dozen construction sites. Indigenous activists blocked the doors to an insurance office backing the Trans Mountain Pipeline. A New Zealand community worked tirelessly for two days to rescue stranded whales with a human chain guiding them out to sea again.
This week’s news also contains some long-awaited successes. Remember the story last fall about how Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Members occupied traditional lands the Trump Administration had seized? They’ve regained those lands, successfully convincing the new administration to drop the seizure attempt. Nonviolence News also reported on a series of bold direct actions in Europe where Nigerian and Congolese activists were on trial for “stealing” (aka reclaiming) stolen art. Did those actions have an effect on the Dutch Government’s recent decision to return artworks taken through colonization? Let’s hope so.
Don’t miss the article in the Knowledge Section on the savvy ways that 2020 labor organizing broke new ground. It was eye-opening and informative, full of pro-tips I’ll be applying to my own organizing work. What Nonviolence News story will give you fresh energy and bright ideas for your work? Read onwards and find out.
And, please, if you can donate this week, it is greatly appreciated. Nonviolence News is supporting numerous other groups, organizations, and classrooms in showing how practical and powerful nonviolence is in our world. Your donation helps all of us keep going. Thank you!
In solidarity,
Rivera Sun
Photo Credit: Myanmar citizens resist the military coup.
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Kingian Nonviolence Introduction Series: The Kingian Nonviolence workshops are transformational experiences that have helped thousands of people from around the world understand the depth of the philosophy of nonviolence, and learn to begin to bring the practices into their lives and their work. (Starts March 1) Learn more>>
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