This weekend I decided to start taking nonviolent protest training with the U.S. Institute of Peace. There were more protests in New York City over the past two days. These were specifically focused on showing solidarity with the protesters in Portland demonstrating against the federal troops occupying that city. Though the president has reversed course and said he will not send them to New York, the situation looks more tenuous each day.
Nonviolent protest training is becoming an essential skill in large cities, and its teachings can have a positive impact in many areas of our lives, not just when we’re out in the streets. Now that John Lewis has passed, it will take all of us to carry on that work. He was a strong supporter of the U.S. Institute of Peace, and it’s through his website that I found out about their trainings.
The courses are as introductory or as extensive as you’d like them to be. They’re free, online, self-paced, and short video-based. They also have transcripts and audio-only for accessibility. I’m incorporating watching a portion each day as part of my meditation practice. If you’re protesting, they will help to keep you and others as safe as possible while also helping you to get into Good Trouble, Necessary Trouble. Learn more and sign up at https://www.usip.org/education-training.
Christa Avampato 