NONVIOLENCE TOOLKIT

 

Nonviolent Demonstration Safety & Training

Staying Safe While Staying the Course

Demonstrations are an act of transformation. Whether it is a radical gesture of one individual speaking truth to power, or a gathering of thousands, a demonstration is seeking change in the existing reality and should be approached with some element of preparation. In his book Strength to Love, Martin Luther King, Jr. talks about “transformed nonconformists”. As part of the pre-demonstration training during the civil rights movement, participants were required to do some inner preparation so their spirit and mind were attuned to the power of what the act of protest means.

“Any ritual is an opportunity for transformation. To do a ritual, you must be willing to be transformed in some way. The inner willingness is what makes the ritual come alive and have power. If you aren’t willing to be changed by the ritual, don’t do it. “ — Starhawk

Here are some resources for pre-planning to demonstrate.  Even if it is an hour before the demonstration, preparation matters!

Pre-Demonstration Training 

Training safety is a critical piece of nonviolent action preparation that is often left out in the crisis of a response.   

Marshal Training  

Marshals are traditionally folks whose job is to “lead people in a ceremonial or orderly fashion”. In marches and demonstrations, this role is filled by trained volunteers who are willing to act as guides, protectors, witnesses and authority figures. Marshals can be extremely helpful in providing some measure of safety during protests and demonstrations.  

Some sample marshal training from Act Up is helpful as a guide: 

Use of Allies 

Inviting allies who can diversify the march and possibly diffuse violence by their presence is another strategy. Community Elders, local athletic teams in uniform, professionals from the community, clergy, musicians and artists, street theatre professionals, are good groups to recruit from.

Some examples to spark ideas are listed below:

Sample Training

There are many sample training agendas and tools that can be utilized for creating a training. Check with your local chapters of national groups, sign up with local groups, or start your own! Here are two resources to get your started:


Let us put our minds together and see what life we can make for our children.    

– Sitting Bull