This resource is dedicated . . . 

to the young people who John Lewis addressed in his last public statement,

to everyone who cares about justice and human dignity,

to those who struggle to end racism, poverty, war and environmental destruction,

to all who work for “a world at peace with itself,” as John would say. 

Created for activists, especially those new to activism, our toolkit is designed to be as practical and helpful as possible. It is designed for easy use. Select any subject you want, read at your own pace, hold discussions, and create plans. Get in the way and make good trouble. As you learn from your actions and begin to understand nonviolence more deeply, check back here to see what we’ve added. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us at centerforappliednonviolence.com.  One of us will get back to you with a personal response.

The toolkit will expand in items and subject areas, as we learn what is most helpful and needed by you. It is a work-in-progress that, because of the urgency of the hour, compels us to get it out now. 

John Lewis believed heart and soul in nonviolence. When he learned that he had won his seat in Congress, he declared it “a nonviolent revolution.” In his 33 years “doing the people’s business,” John conducted himself according to the principles of nonviolence. He confronted the “triple evils” named by Dr. King—of racism, excessive materialism, and militarism—using the philosophy and methods of nonviolence. He believed that love was the answer.  

John Lewis represents our own awe-inspiring potential to change the world. He would be the first to say that he was no more noble, or gifted, or blessed than any one of us. He deeply believed that “Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.”  

John reached out especially to young people. His comic book trilogy, March, made nonviolence, as practiced in the civil rights movement, accessible to even the youngest reader. John’s last act of going to Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C., was a statement that his hopes were with the young, the visionary, the courageous and bold.  As he wrote in his last message:

In my life, I have done all I can to demonstrate that the way of peace, the way of love and nonviolence is the more excellent way. Now it is your turn to let freedom ring.