15 inspiring quotes on Nonviolent Direct Action
Our long history of resistance to government tyranny in the United States and globally shows that broad-based movements rooted in nonviolence can prevail, even in the face of cruelty. Those who have organized before us relied on a wide range of nonviolent tactics, grounded in love, humor and hope, all while engaging in collective defiance and remaining resilient and disciplined.
Nonviolence is central to everything we do as MarchOnHarrisburg. Over the past 8 years, we have participated in over 40 nonviolent direct actions and led extensive trainings on the principles of nonviolence and how to utilize it in long-term campaigns. We wage peace because our goal is to end the ongoing war between the working class and a government that oppresses us with policy violence on behalf of a greedy ruling class.
Here are 15 great statements from a variety of social justice organizers on the importance of non-violence:
“The nonviolent approach does not immediately change the heart of the oppressor. It first does something to the hearts and souls of those committed to it. It gives them new self-respect; it calls up resources of strength and courage they did not know they had.” — Dr. King
“Nonviolence is a powerful and just weapon, which cuts without wounding and ennobles the man who wields it. It is a sword that heals.” — Dr. King
“The better you understand the craft of nonviolent direct action campaigning, the more powerful you are, even though your opponent wants you to think you are a powerless object” — George Lakey
That’s all nonviolence is – organized love. — Joan Baez
Nonviolence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being. — Gandhi
“Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak…Nonviolence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.” — Cesar Chavez
“Resistance is the secret of joy!” — Alice Walker
"Colorful demonstrations and weekend marches are vital but alone are not powerful enough to stop wars. Wars will be stopped only when soldiers refuse to fight, when workers refuse to load weapons onto ships and aircraft, when people boycott the economic outposts of Empire that are strung across the globe." — Arundhati Roy
“Civil disobedience…is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience… Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity and war and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country.” — Howard Zinn
“I have always looked on disobedience toward the oppressive as the only way to use the miracle of having been born.” — Oriana Fallaci
“True democracy can only be the outcome of non-violence.” — Gandhi
“This power is not passive resistance, indeed it calls for intense activity.” — Gandhi
‘We must name the truth in the face of the powers, not just name it in comfortable conferences, not just name it where people agree with us, but we must stare in the face of the power and name it. Not for the powers to be destroyed, but for the powers to be transformed and redeemed. But if they don’t listen, we are not allowed to check out.’ — Rev. Barber
“Nonviolence is always successful, it can never meet with defeat.” — Gandhi
Our democracy is struggling, and those in office are not coming to save us. In this moment of crisis, we need people willing to take bold, nonviolent action to save our democracy. We are organizing in-person, day-long NVDA workshops across the state.
Click here to join one near you, and email us at info@mohpa.org if you’d like to organize an NVDA training session in your community.
Join MarchOnHarrisburg for a day-long Nonviolent Direct Action training in Pittsburgh on Saturday, October 4th. Together, we’ll build the nonviolent direct action skills needed to confront corruption and strengthen our democracy.