History and Philosophy of Non-Violent Direct Action

Non-Violent Direct Action; what is it and why use it? Direct Action is any project or campaign tactic that seeks to directly affect a desired change. This is as opposed to indirect actions which seek to affect change by appealing to a third party such as the legislature or courts. Non-violent direct action can mean anything from blockading access to a strip-mine to planting a community garden in a vacant lot.

This introduction to direct action looks at historical and contemporary examples from the labor, peace, environmental and other social movements to articulate what NVDA is and how it is used. With respect to all view-points, we help the group consider critical questions of what actions are effective what constitutes violence. Non-Violent Direct Action is an important and powerful tool for change. The goal of this workshop is to clarify and contextualize the tactic for it's continued strategic implementation by a wide and diverse movement of people.



Mountaintop Removal 101. The Mountaintop Removal Roadshow Grassroots Community and Campus Organizing History and Philosophy of Non-Violent Direct Action Non-Violent Direct Action, Nuts and Bolts Alliance-Building Across Philosophical, Tactical and Psychological Barriers Media and Campaign Messaging 101 Strategic Campaigning