Peace Day Austin

Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him. 

                                                                                 — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

Nonviolence is both a principle and a practice. The principle of nonviolence affirms the active use of non-coercive and non-aggressive means to create a more peaceful context. It is based on the assumption that justice will eventually prevail, that choices should be made from a place of love rather than hate, that the hurtful action, not the person, should be subdued and that voluntary suffering has value as an important facet of life.

 

In practice, nonviolence involves ACTIVELY peaceful behavior in the midst of conflict, becoming an example of consideration to those around us and breaking the destructive cycle of retaliation when we believe we have been wronged. It also means awareness of our own inner violence, and eliminating its negative effects upon our own intentions. Applying these principles of non-violence can reduce conflict, anger and violence on personal, local, national and global levels.

 

Nonviolence has come to be recognized as a powerful strategy for students, communities, disenfranchised groups and whole societies in addressing and transforming conditions. During the 20th century, the successful social movements of Gandhi in India and Martin Luther King, Jr. in the United States led to the public’s realization of completely new dimensions of nonviolent conflict resolution.

 

WHAT CAN YOU DO: NONVIOLENCE

Learn about Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles of Nonviolence and steps to social change: CLICK HERE. (For more info, go to the King Center Website).

 

Learn about Gandhian Principles of Nonviolence: CLICK HERE.

 

Review and use nonviolence tools and techniques of Pace e bene: CLICK HERE.

 

Take the CAMPAIGN NONVIOLENCE Pledge: CLICK HERE. and take action/learn more about Campaign Nonviolence events happening across the US and beyond Sept. 20-27: CLICK HERE.

 

Check out the National Education Association site with lessons for K-12 related to nonviolence, civil rights, Martin Luther King Day: CLICK HERE.

 

Review the the Principles of Conflict Transformation offered by the Global Coalition of Conflict Transformation: CLICK HERE. For more info: CLICK HERE.

 

Take the FREE online Nonviolence class: CLICK HERE.

Martin Luther King speaks of the Influence of Mahatma Ghandi.