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Unpopular Nonfiction
by Shava Nerad
 

Civitas: Remembering Dr. King

Wednesday, July 30, 2003 10:16 AM  
It's been since May, when I got pneumonia, that I've posted here. Live has been interesting and very very busy, and somewhat of a struggle -- more on that later.

But right now, I'm engaged in a project called Portland Civitas, which is aimed to give us a nonviolent alternative (in the full satyagraha sense) to confronting the security cordon at Bush's appearance here on 8/21.

In putting this together, I went back and formally reviewed Dr. King's adaptation of satyagraha into his principles of nonviolence and nonviolent action (taken from the King Center's glossary).


SIX PRINCIPLES OF NONVIOLENCE - Fundamental tenets of Dr. King’s philosophy of nonviolence described in his first book, Stride Toward Freedom. The six principles include: (1.) Nonviolence is not passive, but requires courage; (2.) Nonviolence seeks reconciliation, not defeat of an adversary; (3.) Nonviolent action is directed at eliminating evil, not destroying an evil-doer; (4.) A willingness to accept suffering for the cause, if necessary, but never to inflict it; (5.) A rejection of hatred, animosity or violence of the spirit, as well as refusal to commit physical violence; and (6.) Faith that justice will prevail.

SIX STEPS OF NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE - A sequential process of nonviolent conflict-resolution and social change based on Dr. King’s teachings. The Six Steps of Nonviolence developed by The King Center include: (1.) Information gathering and research to get the facts straight; (2.) Education of adversaries and the public about the facts of the dispute; (3.) Personal Commitment to nonviolent attitudes and action; (4.) Negotiation with adversary in a spirit of goodwill to correct injustice; (5.)Nonviolent direct action, such as marches, boycotts, mass demonstrations, picketing, sit-ins etc., to help persuade or compel adversary to work toward dispute-resolution; (6.) Reconciliation of adversaries in a win-win outcome in establishing a sense of community.


I am struck at how many of the nonviolent demonstrations I have attended have lost many of these principles. Reconciliation, not defeat. Negotiation. Rejection of hatred and animosity. These are lost even in the peace movement today.

So, I'm not complaining about the weather. I'm going to do something about it. On 8/21, when George Bush comes to town, I expect that he is going to be happy to have heads cracked at the site of his visit, because "Little Beirut" (as the DC security folks call Portland) is a good example to make for the rest of the country to show how he needs security and how awful these "liberal radicals" are.

I hope to produce a peaceful event, far from the site of the visit, where we can teach, build community, and register several thousand new voters. I think that's more confrontational in a nonviolent sort of way.

Right now, we've got the buy in from the Democrats, Greens, Libertarians, and Socialists in Multnomah County. I had a committee of Dems and Socialists at my house last night (the Green and Libertarian leadership couldn't make it this week, but maybe next). I'm even planning on inviting the local GOP folks to register voters and teach-in if they wish. Reconciliation. When have we seen this kind of cooperation among parties here for a political event?

I'm going to the city council next week with a bunch of moms and kids to appeal to the city to give us financial support on the basis that positive nonviolent action reduces the load on the city's obligation to provide a security cordon around Bush. Negotiation. Ideally we'll come out of that with an endorsement and funding, and some excellent site set aside for us.

The biggest problem we have is getting credibility with the press. Getting publicity and coverage for this is going to be the most interesting, low-lead-time spin I may have ever done in my life.

Wish me luck!



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