Editor’s Note From Rivera Sun
For over a year, we’ve been sharing stories about the LA hotel workers’ rolling strike organized by Unite Here Local 11. This brave campaign tackled over 100 hotels and coordinated low-income, often undocumented hotel workers to strike at one hotel after another. They’ve already succeeded at 68 hotels and are continuing to pressure the rest in a strategy that may transform the industry.
This week, as the LA City Council pondered a motion to increase minimum wages for tourism workers to $25/hr, the hotel workers and airport workers held a 3-day hunger strike to invite officials to find the spiritual fortitude to stand with workers. It’s an interesting approach, one that shows that we’re willing to make sacrifices for vision, not just outrage. It also worked.
Nonviolent action is powerful stuff. New studies (and Nonviolence News) are myth-busting the misperception that it ‘doesn’t work’ or ‘it doesn’t change anything’. The truth is that nonviolent action is transforming our world. Look at South Korea. Last week, mass protests halted martial law and a power grab. This week, over one million South Koreans hit the streets again, this time in protest of the Conservative Party’s failure to impeach President Yoon. The people wanted him sacked … and arrested. A second impeachment vote was swiftly scheduled in the wake of the large protests. This time, they impeached Yoon.
We also noticed that most of the early reporting from major news sources (AP, BBC, etc.) failed to point out that the mass protest directly led to the second impeachment vote. That’s not only shoddy journalism, it undermines people’s awareness that nonviolent action works. It’s a widespread problem and one that we all need to work hard to counter. The facts are on our side and more studies are demonstrating this. A recent report from the Climate Emergency Fund showed that countries with higher amounts of disruptive climate action had lower carbon emissions, increased public attention on climate issues, shifts in voter behavior, upticks in donations to climate organizations, and more. Nonviolent action makes a difference. Spread the word.
One aspect of nonviolence on powerful display this week is the role of constructive programs and alternative institutions. Gandhi urged his movement to spend 80% of their time on building the solutions that lowered our dependency on oppressive systems. This can be seen in examples such as the Asheville restaurant workers union that pivoted into disaster relief, an affordable electric car share program in Detroit, and the Women Protection Teams in Iraq that are providing physical and community safety while redefining gender norms. Another story providing an out-of-the-box solution are the skateboarders who are training in psychological first aid skills to respond to the US teen mental health crisis. If we’re looking at solutions, it’s worth noting that a new report showed that mangroves provided exceptional, low-cost flood protection around the globe, saving coastal communities $855 billion – well worth the effort of protecting mangrove swamps from pollution and development.
Nonviolence is all about creativity and unexpected ways of looking at things. This week, Pope Francis unveiled and gave his official blessing to a Christmas nativity scene that featured a baby Jesus lying on a Palestinian keffiyeh. It was a powerful expression of the leader of the billion-person Catholic Church’s concern over the genocide in Gaza. Across Europe, activists with Palestine Action expressed their horror in a different way: they locked themselves to the top of white vans that were parked in front of the entrances of a weapons factory. Norway took yet another bold step to condemn violations of international law; they divested their sovereign wealth fund – the largest in the world – from an Israeli telecom giant that is actively aiding and abetting illegal, violent settlements in the West Bank.
Another hallmark of nonviolent action is its disruptiveness. As the Climate Emergency Fund’s report pointed out, disrupting business or life as usual is essential. Otherwise, people keep sleepwalking through injustice. In New York City, an anonymous group replaced advertisements on subways with signs that pointed out: A MAN WAS LYNCHED HERE to call attention to the jury deliberations on whether or not the Black man’s murderer will be held accountable for putting him in a chokehold. Is it too much to ask that we interrupt regularly-scheduled consumerism for a bit of moral accountability?
In Washington, DC, activists held a sit-in in a public restroom with a sign that read: Flush Bathroom Bigotry. They were protesting the new policy that bans trans law makers from using the bathroom that aligns with their gender. With the first openly trans law maker headed to the capitol this year, the action hopes to rollback the discriminatory policy. Anti-trans bigotry in the US isn’t limited to the halls of power; many trans citizens are using TikTok to crowdfund moves to safer states, relocating away from places that have passed laws denying them health and human rights.
In more Nonviolence News, the US banned two cancer-causing chemicals, a river in Washington won legal rights, Extinction Rebellion put the pressure on a massive fossil fuel law firm in London, Cambodian eco-activists face prison but the movement pushes on, Italians are on general strike against economic woes, Argentina’s feminist movement is countering physical and economic gender-based violence, and more. To see our full collection, scroll down.
A story that brought a smile to my face? These peace activists in Wisconsin came up with the clever idea of making holiday wreathes in the peace sign. It’s a beautiful reminder that peace is both a widely-held longing and an urgent need in our world.
In solidarity,
Rivera Sun
Photo Credit: Unite Here Local 11 holds vigil during 3-day hunger strike in Los Angeles, CA. Photo by Andrew Moss
South Koreans’ million-person protest successfully forced their lawmakers to reverse an earlier vote against impeachment. After the mass street demonstrations, a second impeachment vote was held and succeeded. Read more>>
Climate Emergency Fund’s new white paper shows: nonviolent protest works and mass movements are making an impact. Activism lowered carbon emissions, increased public attention on climate issues, changed voter behavior, generated donations to climate organizations, and more. So, if you’re wondering if your actions matter, the answer is yes. Get out there and protest. Read more>>
The Snohomish River in Washington State has been granted legal rights in the city of Everett. This allows residents to take legal action to protect the long-term health of the river. Read more>>
A court in Belgium set a historic precedent on state-sanctioned kidnapping of thousands of children in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to their racial background. Belgium has been ordered to compensate 5 mixed-race women who were forcibly taken. Read more>>
A Detroit neighborhood is offering economic, racial, and transportation justice all rolled into one affordable electric vehicle carshare program. Read more>>
Norway’s sovereign wealth fund – the largest in the world – dropped an Israeli telecom giant over West Bank settlement and violations of international law. Read more>>
After 40 years of documented harm, two cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products just got banned in the US. They are already banned in many other countries. Read more>>
One million furious South Koreans protest the Conservative Party’s thwarting of the impeachment vote. After President Yoon declared martial law, the people mobilized mass protests to get their parliament to overturn it. Now, they want the democracy-undermining president gone – and arrested. Read more>>
Americans take to social media and news comment sections to express their revulsion and hat efor their private health insurance. Editor’s Note: The prompt for this outpouring of protest was an assassination of a health insurance company CEO by a young man angered by the suffering, harm, and death caused by denials of claims. Obviously, that is not a nonviolent action. The public sentiments being expressed, however, can be viewed as acts of nonviolent protest, for the most part. Read more>>
A group of racial justice activists replaced subway ads with signs that read: “A MAN WAS LYNCHED HERE” and Jordan Neely’s name. Neely was killed after Daniel Penny put him in a chokehold. Read more>>
Extinction Rebellion is putting the pressure on one of the biggest law firms behind fossil fuels. They also targeted the City of London offices and put cops in a frenzy trying to keep up. Read more>>
In a decision biodiversity defenders call “long over due”, the US has finally proposed endangered species protections for the monarch butterfly. Read more>>
Student climate activists aren’t just divesting university stock portfolios and endowments from fossil fuels, they’re also kicking fossil fuel recruiters off campuses. “Ethical Careers” is the wave of the future. Read more>>
New science is showing that gardening is good for your health … and the planet’s. It’s a win-win. Read more>>
When it comes to flood protection, mangroves are worth $855 billion. “They offer cost-effective protection to coastal communities and support national wealth by preserving lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure,” said lead researcher Pelayo Menendez. Read more>>
In Cambodia, lead environmental activists have been sentenced to years in prison. But that’s just emboldening the climate movement. Read more>>
Los Angeles hotel and airport workers launched a 3-day hunger strike as a “spiritual journey of foregoing food and drink in hopes of inspiring … city leaders to stand with them and vote for an improved wage and healthcare benefits,” a union contact said. Read more>>
Hundreds of thousands of Italians joined a recent general strike and large anti-government rallies across the nation. They are upset over the decline in purchasing power, persistently low salaries, and how government policies have undermined public services. Watch here>>
In Germany, Volkswagen workers held two-hour work stoppages in objection to a cost-cutting drive by management that has slashed salaries and closed plants. Read more>>
The labor documentary UNION follows Amazon warehouse workers through adversity, a stunning victory, and the uncertain road ahead. It’s making a splash as it’s viewership climbs. Read more>>
Canada is pressuring their labor relations board to order the striking Canada Post workers back to work as Christmas looms. (Who deserves coal in their stockings: the government who wants happy holidays for shoppers … or the workers who want to feed their kids?) Read more>>
Holding a sign that says “Flush Bathroom Bigotry”, trans rights activists held a sit-in in a bathroom at the US Capitol Building in protest over a new policy that bans trans persons from using the facilities that align with their gender. The policy comes as the first openly trans lawmaker starts to serve in the House of Representatives. Read more>>
In Argentina, the feminist group Ni Una Menos is mobilizing against physical and economic violence toward women. Read more>>
The US Library of Congress released an online collection of records on the National AIDS Memorial Quilt, one of the most heart-wrenching symbol of the AIDS epidemic. The quilt is the largest communal art project in the world and totals more than 125,000 items. Read more>>
Women Protection Teams in Iraq not only provide physical safety for individuals and communities, they also challenge gender norms, counter digital extortion, and help women’s voices be heard in the peace processes and decision-making. Read more>>
Trans Americans are relocating to safer states. And they’re using TikTok to fund their moves. Read more>>
Meet the Gen Zers filling the gaps in sex education and HIV-prevention among Southern and East African teens. Read more>>
A new documentary “Bread & Roses” by Malala Yousafzai and Sahra Mani reveals stealth footage recorded by women in Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban retaking the country. Read more>>
The US isn’t the only country struggling with banned books. In Argentina, feminist literature faces censorship. “Cometierra” by Dolores Reyes has become the main target in the government’s censorship campaign. Read more>>
Amnesty International announced an unequivocal report: it’s a genocide. “Our damning findings must serve as a wake-up call to the international community,” said Agnès Callamard, the group’s secretary-general. “It must stop now.” Read more>>
Activists with Palestine Action shut down a factory of weapons makers Leonardo by securing themselves to the top of large vans that blocked the entrances. Their action decried the company’s complicity in Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and it also revealed that the Scottish government is funding the company with millions of British pounds. Read more>>
At this Pittsburg food co-op, a contentious debate over whether or not to boycott all Israeli products in the store is engaging co-op members, workers, and board. Proponents of the resolution to boycott hope it will succeed – and inspire other grocery co-ops to do the same. Read more>>
The Volunteer Insurance Program offers psychological support to frontline humanitarian workers in Ukraine, including 800+ free and confidential counseling sessions for grief and trauma work. Read more>>
Combatants for Peace was founded in 2006 by bringing together both Israeli and Palestinian combatants who wanted to make the switch to nonviolence and peacebuilding as a core part of ending violent colonialism, occupation, and war. Here’s a look inside the movement. Read more>>
Pope Francis unveiled and blessed a nativity with the baby Jesus lying in a Palestinian keffiyah. Read more>>
In Madison, Wisconsin, this peace group made holiday wreathes in the shape of peace signs to remind people of the widely-held longing and urgent need for peace in our world. Read more>>
In Parliament Square in London, UK, an activist group called “Led By Donkeys” unfurled a parking lot sized banner that read: Yes, it’s a genocide. Read more>>
There’s a mental health crisis among US youth, with rising numbers experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts. These skateboarders are offering psychological first-aid training. Read more>>
Asheville Food And Beverage United (AFBU) was already providing economic mutual aid when Hurricane Helene’s floods changed everything. With downtown restaurants in ruins, they switched to mobilizing workers to cooking meals for thousands of displaced persons, delivering water supplies, and meeting urgent needs. Read more>>
What if your community has a library for blenders, sewing machines, puzzles, exercise equipment, and more? It’s called a Library of Things … and here’s a comprehensive guide to starting (and growing) one in your town. Read more>>
Conscientious objection is a frontline resistance to being drafted into military service. It’s a key anti-militarism issue for youth, too. Here are 15 organizations actively supporting COs. Read more>>
A new report on a little-known resistance movement – All Rise: How Polish Judges Kept Their Independence – shows how Polish judges pushed back on authoritarian suppression from 2015 to 2023. Read more>>
This tree-hugging woman inspired a new way to think about animal rights. Read more>>
Tell the Senate: Stop Repression of the Palestinian Rights Movement. Learn more>>
Join Black Lives Matter In Demanding Car Insurance Companies End Racist Policies. Learn more>>
#HandsOffSudan: In the war in Sudan, the United Arab Emirates is supplying ammunition to the Rapid Support Forces; Iran is supplying drones to the Sudanese Armed Forces; Russia and Ukraine, because of their conflict, keep the war going with their weapons, military equipment and troops. Tell leaders: #HandsOffSudan. Learn more>>
Jewish Voice For Peace has taken a leading role in opposing the genocide in Gaza. Join the quarterly JVP Virtual Mass Meeting on December 19. Learn more>>
Stop the Nonprofit Killer Bill: There’s a bill before the US Senate that could strip 501c3 status from any nonprofit without review or appeal. Tell your senators to oppose it. Learn more>>
How to start a World BEYOND War chapter and work to abolish all war. (Jan 18) Learn more>>
Nonviolence Daily: A 4-Week Book Discussion on Gandhian Nonviolence. (Starts Jan 9) Learn more>>
Engaging Nonviolence: An Introduction to the Skills and Tools That Change Our Lives and World. (Starts Jan 22) Learn more>>
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