Track 2: Strategic Nonviolent Direct Action

A growing number of people are feeling called to challenge climate destruction and push for a just transition through nonviolent direct action. People of faith are using this approach in a wide variety of ways, including: dancing the “Electric Slide” outside a utility company to tell it to get moving on solar; holding a public prayer vigil in a museum to protest its fossil fuel sponsorship; and blocking natural gas shipments. While our tactics may vary, this track will work from the assumption that our witness is most effective when it is part of an ongoing, focused campaign and grounded in spiritual practice. In fact for some, direct action is a powerful spiritual path that calls us to use our gifts and trust God more fully than we have in other kinds of work.

Photo credit: EQAT Online Photo Gallery (c) Rachael Warriner

In the strategic nonviolent direct action track, we will:

• Learn how to identify and implement a strategic climate justice campaign;
• Design tactics that tap the strengths of our spiritual traditions; and
• Explore how to stay grounded in Love and Spirit while doing work that can be both exhilarating and challenging.

Friday morning

We will explore the meaning and purpose of nonviolent direct action, particularly its use among people of faith.

Friday afternoon

We will take a field trip to experience a simple, low risk form of nonviolent direct action. We will pay particular attention to trying new roles and supporting each other’s learning. This trip will involve walking a few blocks, so if participants have mobility or other concerns, please contact Eileen at eileenflanagan1@gmail.com so we can work out arrangements ahead of time.

Saturday morning

We will explore what makes campaigns strategic, whether you are considering starting a new campaign or sharpening an existing one.

Saturday afternoon

In the first session, we will explore creative ways to tap the power of our religious traditions when designing actions. In the second session, we will practice the spiritual grounding that sustains us in this work.

Facilitators:

Eileen Flanagan (Earth Quaker Action Team) – click for bio

Rabbi Arthur Waskow (Shalom Center) – click for bio

Rev. Rhetta Morgan – click for bio

Lina Blount (Pendle Hill & EQAT) – click for bio