FOR- Nonviolence Training for adults

"We can't do much anymore. You know, once you get past 70..." That's the refrain of some older FOR members who lament that so many are graying, so many are dying, and FOR membership will surely dwindle. "Who will carry on the campaigns at the grassroots," they ask. "Who will provide the financial resources? We need to attract more members, more young adults, more allies."

In contrast to this view of the future, there's Genoa - preceded by protests in the U.S. and around the globe - surely to be followed by many more - fueled by students and other young activists committed to justice and Nonviolence. But their protests are disrupted by a minority who are violent out of frustration or out of a different conviction about winning tactics or out of collaboration with the opposition. And the response by police is violent and repressive. There is torture, injury, and death. It is the violence system's script once again: social change can occur only through war, not through transformation!

Can there be creative connections between these two visions of our future?

Activist Elders in FOR speak of prison time, a peace walk across the entire U.S., police brutality, creative tactics, celebrations, and periods of despair, inspiration and spiritual strength. "I am convinced that you are the planters of the seeds of Nonviolence, I tell them. You may not see the seeds take root - teachers and parents and child caregivers know this reality - nevertheless, it is you who can teach the next generations - the rest of us stand on your shoulders in defiance of oppression and injustice and violence - tell us of your experience through lessons-learned and experiments with Nonviolence - share your perspective - tell us how you persisted and how you sustained yourselves - share your wisdom."

"Young adult activists and the global struggle are bringing us to a turning point for the life of our world and its inhabitants - and also a turning point for those committed to creative Nonviolence," says Ken Butigan, trainer, author, and Pledge of Resistance leader from Pace e Bene. "It is a time of maximum opportunity to fashion a movement that dispenses with the perception that social change is a war. It is the time to really experiment with Gandhi's notion of Nonviolence: the desire for, and action on behalf of, the well-being of all. The movement that emerged from Seattle to Genoa indicates increasing momentum worldwide for democracy, freedom and economic sufficiency." As justice-seekers, we'd like a quick fix, an assured victory. But that is not the history of Nonviolence. The violence of the protests has only poured gasoline on the fire. The watching public has not seen an impressive and stark contrast between violent repression and a nonviolent protest where individuals willingly accept suffering rather than submit. The script has been that of the violence system. The Power of Nonviolence has been absent.

"Successful nonviolent campaigns can take years," says Jim Lawson, Nonviolence trainer and human rights activist. "We should speak of protracted movements and the long haul, of the preparation and persistence and discipline practiced by Gandhi, King, the Philippine People's Movement, the people of Central America and others. Action begins locally - then spreads to other issues or regions. The action must engage the public - get the business community, politicians and others to see the wisdom of dialogue and cooperation with nonviolent protesters. We can prepare ourselves best by studying successful, protracted nonviolent campaigns."

At FOR we understand the need for a Formation Process in Nonviolence, one that helps us loosen old skins, learn new scripts, and create new selves deeply grounded in the philosophy and the vision. And we are committed to Nonviolence as a spiritual practice. Moyer, Gandhi, Day, Lester, King and Chavez all help us see a possibility, beyond passivity or the war model. We will understand only by learning from one another and by mutual deepening and training and by experimenting and working in community.

With reverence and good humor one friend calls me her "oldest, living friend." We may say the same of our elder FOR members, for they are an invaluable resource in the struggle to navigate and participate in the turbulent worldwide, anti-globalization drive for justice - and as we address the possibility of declining membership, too.

How can FOR best contribute to the Nonviolence formation process that is required to prepare activists? How can we best utilize the Wisdom of the Aged? We are considering a proposal to have FOR develop a team of trainers and a training module to offer to groups in local areas across the country - groups that would sustain themselves for the long haul through continued Nonviolence training and community-building and intergenerational learning - groups that would commit to ongoing action at the local level and in concert with FOR national campaigns. Of course, we are committed to continuing our successful trainings for young adults through the Peacemaker Training Institutes and our Internship program. We are interested in your ideas and comments, so let us hear from you.

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