Nonviolent Direct Action: Activist Education Workshops

This is the first of a series of activist education workshops organised by the Wellington Workers Educational Association in partnership with Peace Action Wellington, Stop AUKUS, Asians Supporting Tino Rangatiratanga and Justice for Palestine. The workshops are open to all activists in progressive organisations working on peace, justice, te Tiriti, LGBTQIA+ rights, anti-racism, anti-fascism, climate change, animal rights and any other progressive cause. There is no charge but a koha is encouraged.

Non-violent direct action (NVDA) is a tool for making positive social change. It has a long history in Aotearoa starting with Parihaka, where Māori resisted forced land sales by pulling up survey pegs and ploughing fields. It has been used by different movements in different ways, because it encompasses any political action that directly intervenes in the injustice to stop it, from strikes and boycotts to blockades and animal liberation. In this workshop, we will be doing active exercises, practising what it feels like to plan and take direct action, and exploring some of the strategic, tactic, and ethical questions of when to use NVDA.

Lunch will be provided. Please wear loose and comfortable clothes. The workshop exercises will include close physical contact and shouting.

Please use the booking form to reserve a place. Numbers are limited https://forms.gle/BP5JmNj12GMtjhxE8

Health and Safety: Covid-19 is still present in Aotearoa and has its worst effects on immuno-compromised, Māori, Pasifika and other POC communities. In the spirit of radical community solidarity, anti-racism and disability justice, we ask that you take Covid precautions, as below.

Our commitments: We will provide spaces that are ventilated and have a HEPA filter air purifier present. We will provide masks.

We ask you to: Confirm you are Rat negative on the day of the workshop. Don’t attend if you are feeling unwell. Wear a mask.

Details of the other workshops in this series is here: https://justiceforpalestine.nz/2024/03/27/activist-education-workshops/