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REVOLUTIONARY NONVIOLENCE
Building Bridges Across Generations and Communities
War Resisters League
90th Anniversary National Conference
August 1 – 4 · 2013
Georgetown University | Washington, DC.
See the conference schedule overview.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE - Workshops
As we planned the conference we thought it would be helpful to develop workshops within a set of specific themes or threads: Learn, Resist, Disarm, Restore and Build. While the order of the workshops this weekend does not offer a flow within each of these categories, the content of them all ties back to these basic ideas.
Below is the list of the workshops being held within each of the 5 time slots set aside for workshops. Following that are brief descriptions of the workshops.
NOTE: All workshops will be held in the ICC (Intercultural Center). Room numbers follow the workshop title.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2nd - 10:00 am
Creative Resistance and the Arts of Protest - Room 118
Join us for an interactive workshop exploring strategic use of creative cultural resistance! Led by Nadine Bloch, an innovative artist, nonviolent practitioner, political organizer, direct-action trainer, and puppetista, who combines the principles and strategies of nonviolent civil disobedience with creative use of the arts in cultural resistance and public protest. She has worked with diverse organizations, including Nonviolence International, Greenpeace, The Ruckus Society, The Labor Heritage Foundation, Health GAP, Housing Works and the Bread & Puppet Theater.
Resisting War from WWI to Iraq/Afghan - Room 217b
Come to share your stories with oral historian Rosalie Riegle. Learn about the resistance lived by Ralph DiGia, Brad Lyttle, David McReynolds, Grace Paley, and other nonviolent activists. This is an interactive workshop where you can expand, update, and challenge the memories recorded in Doing Time for Peace: Resistance, Family, and Community and Crossing the Line: Nonviolent Activists Speak Out for Peace.
The Future and Relevance of Academic Peace Studies for Grassroots Peace Activists - Room 207b
It often appears that activists have their own ways of making peace, and that scholars have vastly different ones. This assumption undermines the complementarity that keeps activists and scholars working together in actual practice. This interactive workshop will explore tasks that are performed by activists as well as those that scholars are expected to contribute to peacebuilding efforts. Based on case studies and their own experience and research, the facilitators will use role-playing techniques to explore the complementarity of peace activists and scholars. Working with suggestions offered by the workshop participants, the presenters will share experiences in peacebuilding and peacekeeping, and conclude with emergent lessons that can help us to better leverage the relationship between activists and scholars in the future. Led by Sixte Vigny Nimuraba and Randall Amster.
Nuclear Free in Northwest New Mexico - Room 207a
A workshop that will explore the topics of environmental justice, the human right to clean water, the protection of special landscapes, and public participation in permitting. We will discuss the history of some key uranium developments in the Grants Mineral Belt of NM and how these topics relate to a new wave of uranium projects in the region. This workshop will also touch upon the importance of anti-racism and settler allyship. Presenters: Laura Watchempino, Mike Butler Multicultural Alliance for a Safe Environment (MASE)
Grassroots Fundraising - Room 205a
How do we connect our principles and vision to organizing practices that build infrastructure and self- reproducing movements? This workshop seeks to share skills and build dialogue around vital ways that grassroots fundraising strengthens our work to build movements that are autonomous and accountable. Led by Bryan Welton.
West Papua: Nonviolent Struggle for Human Rights and Self-Determination - Room 205b
We don’t often have the opportunity to learn first hand about the on-the-ground organizing efforts of a civil resistance movement. For generations the people of West Papua have been fighting against the devastation of their culture first by Dutch rule and then the Indonesian occupation. West Papuan Rosa Moiwend will share her experiences and talk about the ongoing work, and the conversation will explore how these efforts are tied to other anti-occupation struggles.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 2nd - 4:00 pm
Killed On Presumption: Building Between Local Struggles at Home and the Drone Wars - Room 205a
A session dedicated to sharing ideas, lessons and strategies on how build grassroots power and solidarity around the Drone wars. An interactive dialogue amongst organizers, activists, and community members working in various areas of the anti-war movement discussing visions at the strategic level and at the personal level so we can strengthen our collective efforts, develop intersectional campaigns and build broader resistance to drones, empire and militarism. Led by Noor Mir and Rooj Alwazir.
Anarchism and Revolutionary Nonviolence - Room 205b
The nuts and bolts of the anarchist movement (decentralized and direct democracy socialism) history of anarchist pacifism, and the Revolutionary potential of ghandian mass non violence. Led by Sachio Ko-Yin.
Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn me 'Round: a history of the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans from 1955-1967 through song and dramatic reading - Room 118
A history of the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans from 1955-1967 through song and dramatic reading, highlighting activists such as Rosa Parks, Fannie Lou Hamer and Ella Baker. This 50-minute performance piece includes images, dramatic readings and powerful songs, and will be followed by a group discussion with the audience. This year marks the 50th anniversary of several events covered in the performance piece, such as the March on Washington, the assassination of Medger Evers and the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Led by Charlie King and Karen Brandow.
Building Community to Sustain Resistance Over the Long Haul - Room 207a
Decades of being on the front line of activism, combined with a deep commitment to community and friends has led Liz McAlister to some insights about how we sustain ourselves through the long term. Her bold actions confronting power have been matched by her dedication to family and the boarder social change community. Liz will lead this conversation on the relationship between community and resistance.
Challenging the Assault on the Environment - Room 207b
For decades, we’ve been working to slow down and reverse the environmental disaster and climate crisis the planet now faces. In this discussion we’ll explore why it seems so hard to make headway on this issue. We’ll look at how this crisis is connected to the other pressing issues of the day, and what we can learn from other social movements. Led by Ynestra King.
Reflections on Solidarity: Organizing Int. support for Grassroots Struggles Abroad - Room 217b
As U.S. activists, we often receive and respond to pleas for support from grassroots activists struggling abroad. As nonviolent activists, how do we engage with those working for change and liberation outside the U.S.? How can work to alter U.S. policy, influence other governments, corporations and other institutions, and otherwise support those organizing in their own countries. Led by Susan Kingsland, John Miller and Bruce Gagnon.
PROJECT UNSPEAKABLE: What Do the "Unspeakable" Assassinations of JFK, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy in the 1960's Have to Do with the "Unspeakables" of Today? - Room 204b
Come find out about this exciting, nationally-focused, political theater project that aims to raise questions, consciousness, and courage in relation to the secrets, lies, and crimes done in our names, then and now, by the "national security" apparatus of the U.S. Government and their corporate allies -- and about how activist, theater, religious, and other grassroots groups all over the country can get involved. Led by Randy Kehler.
SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd - 10:45 am
Roots and Routes of war and violence: What are the root causes and solutions? - Room 204b
What are the root causes of war and violence? Based on those root causes, what would be our goals and strategies (the routes) for eliminating war and violence and "the removal of all causes of war?" This workshop will attempt to answer these crucial questions. Led by Larry Dansinger and Jason Ahmadi
Lessons from the Feminist, Anti-Racist and LGBT Movements - Room 118
Our conversation will jump off from the Unraveling the Knots plenary sessions. We’ll look at the insights of some of the most dynamic social change movements of our lives and explore how this work ties to the anti- militarism efforts we’re engaged in. Share your experiences as you hear what others have learned over the years. Led by Mandy Carter and Isabell Moore.
Taxes for War -- Resistance vs. Lobbying - Room 205a
The WRL pie chart was created in 1977 as an incitement to resist war taxes rather than plea to Congress. We'll try to make sense of the varying figures used by other groups, explore creative ways the pie chart can be used to challenge the establishment, and delve into war tax resistance questions and strategies as time and interest permit. Led by Ed Hedemann and Ruth Benn.
Recovering Nonviolent History - Room 205b
Both historians and activists alike have at times accepted some militarized mythologies about how social change and revolution come about. The new collection of research on independence movements makes clear that we must "rediscover" the real histories of mass movements if we are to build for greater victories in the future. Using the examples of Poland, Mozambique and other examples contained in the new book, this workshop will spark discussion on real-life social change in difficult situations. Led by Maciej Bartkowski and Matt Meyer.
Building a Grassroots Constituency for Cutting Military Spending in MD: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Room 206a
Activists in MD have formed a coalition across issue lines to work on cutting military spending. Learn from both the successes and failures of the coalition--and share your own stories. Led by Jean Athey.
The School of the Americas and the Movement to Shut it Down - Building Cross-Continental Grassroots Resistance to U.S. Militarization - Room 206b
The SOA at Fort Benning, Georgia and has trained over 70,000 Latin American soldiers. These graduates have consistently used their skills to wage a war against their own people. Over the past two decades, SOA Watch has grown from a handful of people into one of the most dynamic multi-generational, cross- continental movements against militarization in the Americas. Learn about the SOA/ WHINSEC, U.S. militarization and how you can get involved. Workshop presenters: Arturo J. Viscarra, SOA Watch Advocacy Coordinator. Forced to leave El Salvador due to the civil war, he has spent the last 5 years practicing immigration law. Lisa Sullivan, SOA Watch Latin America Liaison, has lived in Latin America since 1977.
SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd - 1:30 pm
Popular Resistance, Militarized Repression: Police, Prisons, and Tear Gas - Room 231 ROOM CHANGE
Led by members of WRL's Facing Tear Gas campaign, this workshop will share stories and info from ongoing protest movements in places like Bahrain, Turkey, and Greece, create opportunities for participants to share their stories of protest and/or police repression, including any experiences with tear gas or pepper spray, and talk about opportunities to connect and be in solidarity with global movements. Participants will also explore the connections in the US between policing, the rise of prisons over recent decades, the school to prison pipeline, and the US and multinational weapons industry--talking about what that means for the future of communities in the US and the future of movement building. Led by Kimber Heinz, Ali Issa, Alexis Martin, and John Miller.
Political Prisoners: How people become political prisons: how do we support them? - Room 205b
The workshop will focus on the forces that turned 3 people - Jihad AbdulMumit, Jericho Co-chair; Ramona Africa, Move; Cisco Torres, former political prisoner from SF - into Resistance Movement organizers against The War by Amerkia on People of Color in the 1970’s. There will be short presentations that discuss how theses forces were perceived and resisted by the panelists and their actions in response. The remainder of the time will be for discussion. Led by Paulette D'Auteuil from DC-Jericho.
Speaking Up Against the Unjust: Iranians and Allies Organizing against the U.S. Economic Sanctions - Room 206a
After Hassan Rouhani’s win at the recent Iran election, a new space for hope, reform and criticism has emerged inside Iran’s social and political atmosphere. We as Iranians and their allies are inspired by this new space. We take it as our social responsibility to continue pursuing every possible action to reduce and challenge external forces that limit the Iranian people in taking control over their own government and their own economy. Join Havaar in a discussion about the challenges and the opportunities of organizing against U.S led economic sanctions against Iran. Led by Sina Zekavat and Sadra Shahab.
The Power of Music in Social Change Movements - Room 118
More than just some songs to break up the rally speeches, more than just something that can soothe or energize us in the quiet of our homes, music has always been a powerful force in movements for social change and peace. How do organizers relate to the creative strength of music and song, and how do song- makers work with social change organizers? Led Sandy O and Pat Humphries - Emma’s Revolution.
Time to Ban the Bomb and its Evil Twin, the Nuclear Reactor: Obstacles, Opportunities, Campaigns and Strategies for a Nuclear Free World - Room 206b
Three long-time anti-nuclear activists will review the many resources they can muster, and where the trajectory of resisting nuclearism seems headed, in the US and internationally. Having gotten through a long quiescent time in the movement and with catastrophes like Fukushima to wake the world up again, a new uprising seems possible. Led by Ellen Barfield, Paul Magno and Alice Slater.
Countering Military Recruitment in Public Schools through Legislative and Administrative Actions - Room 207a
Pat Elder (Director of the National Coalition to Protect Student Privacy - an organization that works to prohibit the automatic release of student information to military recruiting services) will describe several of the Pentagon's recruiting programs in the nation's high schools and will provide activists with specific tactics that have been proven to halt the military's advance in our schools. A special emphasis will be placed on campaigns targeting legislatures and school boards pertaining to military testing, data collection, the JROTC program, and the access recruiters enjoy to our kids.
Popular Resistance and Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) for Palestinians Rights - Room 208b
Join Josh Ruebner for a discussion of how popular resistance in Palestine and the Palestinian-led global campaign of boycotts, divestment and sanctions (BDS) is building momentum for the attainment of long- denied Palestinian rights. Learn how you can plug into these campaigns in your communities. Josh Ruebner is author of Shattered Hopes: Obama's Failure to Broker Israeli-Palestinian Peace and National Advocacy Dir of the US Camp to End the Israeli Occupation. He can be reached at congress [at] endtheoccupation.org
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4th - 9:00 am
WRL/WRI, Bayard Rustin & 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March On Washington - Room 118
2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the historic August 28, 1963 March on Washington who's key organizer was black gay pacifist Bayard Rustin. Who was (what was his title at WRL at that time?) at the War Resisters League. This workshop will discuss ways that the War Resisters League and War Resisters International can take part in this 50th anniversary year of the 1963 March on Washington in the United States and internationally. Led by Mandy Carter.
Moral Injury, Conscience and War - Room 205a
For 73 years, the Center on Conscience & War has worked to extend and defend the rights of conscientious objectors to war. Though each moment in that history and each individual CO’s experience may vary, contained within each conscientious objector’s personal journey are powerful guideposts that can help steer our collective passage from militarism to nonviolence. Led by Bill Galvin, CCW Counseling Coordinator and Maria Santelli, CCW Executive Director.
The Ghosts of Jeju – film - Room 205b
This new documentary film ties together Obama's pivot into Asia-Pacific as well as the resistance to Navy base construction in Gangjeong village on Jeju Island, South Korea. It's a moving and fascinating look inside the village struggle. Presented by Bruce Gagnon.
Movement Building for Allies: Organizing white people in the struggle for peace racial justice - Room 206a
An open discussion about using WRL's Movement Building for Allies curriculum as a tool to engage white people in the peace movement around how systemic racism impacts the US and their work and how to do the work of helping to build strong multiracial movements. This will not be a conversation about "magic bullets" (obviously), but a dialogue for trainers, organizers, and educators about the necessary connections of racial justice to antimilitarism, along with an overview of some group activities that can be used to bring this work to white activists in participants' groups and community spaces at home. All are welcome. Led by Joanne Sheehan, Kimber Heinz, & Isabell Moore
