National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance
Encyclopedia
Founded in 2002, the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR) is a nationwide network of individuals and organizations committed to ending the war in Iraq, utilizing the nonviolent practices and disciplines of Mahatma Gandhi
and Martin Luther King Jr. through nonviolent resistance.
According to its Website, the coalition failed to prevent the start of the Iraq War in March 2003, but it continues "to engage in nonviolent direct action to end the war and the occupation. [Originally founded as the Iraq Pledge of Resistance] eventually the group, in expanding its focus, became the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR).
"As a group with lots of direct action experience, NCNR has consistently encouraged organizations and individuals to recognize the difference between civil disobedience and civil resistance. We see the difference as being important in the struggle for nonviolent, positive social change."
Instead of purposefully breaking unjust laws in order to bring attention to injustice, actions organized and initiated by NCNR focus on highlighting the illegal policies and practices of the government and elected and appointed decision makers. Typically NCNR participants go to court in order to continue to speak out against the unlawful conduct of government officials in pursuing aggressive wars.
Among the largest and most significant of NCNR's acts of civil resistance was the September 26, 2005 action at the White House sidewalk, with Cindy Sheehan
, following a major anti-war mobilization. Although United for Peace and Justice
joined and promoted this action, it was mostly organized by NCNR.
Other NCNR nonviolent civil resistance actions have included acting with Christian Peace Witness - Iraq in September 2006 , and a campaign around funding for the Iraq war with Kathy Kelly
's Voices for Creative Nonviolence dubbed the Occupation Project in 2007.
NCNR has a close-knit organizing committee, and typically one convener to help facilitate organizing calls and officially speak for the network. NCNR's first convener was Gordon Clark (activist)
. Other peace activists associated with NCNR are Eve Tetaz
, Malachy Kilbride
and Pete Perry
.
Mahatma Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi , pronounced . 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was the pre-eminent political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement...
and Martin Luther King Jr. through nonviolent resistance.
According to its Website, the coalition failed to prevent the start of the Iraq War in March 2003, but it continues "to engage in nonviolent direct action to end the war and the occupation. [Originally founded as the Iraq Pledge of Resistance] eventually the group, in expanding its focus, became the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR).
"As a group with lots of direct action experience, NCNR has consistently encouraged organizations and individuals to recognize the difference between civil disobedience and civil resistance. We see the difference as being important in the struggle for nonviolent, positive social change."
Instead of purposefully breaking unjust laws in order to bring attention to injustice, actions organized and initiated by NCNR focus on highlighting the illegal policies and practices of the government and elected and appointed decision makers. Typically NCNR participants go to court in order to continue to speak out against the unlawful conduct of government officials in pursuing aggressive wars.
Among the largest and most significant of NCNR's acts of civil resistance was the September 26, 2005 action at the White House sidewalk, with Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Lee Miller Sheehan is an American anti-war activist whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War. She attracted national and international media attention in August 2005 for her extended anti-war protest at a makeshift camp outside President...
, following a major anti-war mobilization. Although United for Peace and Justice
United for Peace and Justice
United for Peace and Justice is a coalition of more than 1,300 international and U.S.-based organizations opposed to "our government's policy of permanent warfare and empire-building."...
joined and promoted this action, it was mostly organized by NCNR.
Other NCNR nonviolent civil resistance actions have included acting with Christian Peace Witness - Iraq in September 2006 , and a campaign around funding for the Iraq war with Kathy Kelly
Kathy Kelly
Kathy Kelly is an American peace activist, pacifist and author, a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, one of the founding members of Voices in the Wilderness, and currently a co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence. She has been described as "probably the most respected leader in the...
's Voices for Creative Nonviolence dubbed the Occupation Project in 2007.
NCNR has a close-knit organizing committee, and typically one convener to help facilitate organizing calls and officially speak for the network. NCNR's first convener was Gordon Clark (activist)
Gordon Clark (activist)
Gordon Clark is an American activist and politician. He has served as the National Executive Director of Peace Action, and was a 2008 Green Party candidate from Maryland for the United States House of Representatives in 2008.-Activism:...
. Other peace activists associated with NCNR are Eve Tetaz
Eve Tetaz
Eve Tetaz, 78, is a retired Washington, D.C. public-school teacher and a peace and justice activist. Tetaz was arrested 11 times in 2007 for nonviolent civil resistance during protests against the war and occupation of Iraq...
, Malachy Kilbride
Malachy Kilbride
Malachy Kilbride is an Irish-American Social Justice and Peace Activist who primarily works with Washington Peace Center in Washington DC where he also serves as a member of the board. He was born in New York City and spent part of his childhood in Dublin, Ireland...
and Pete Perry
Pete Perry
Peter Perry was born in Washington, DC on October 31, 1969. He is a peace and social justice activist who has been affiliated with the DC Anti-War Network and the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance ....
.