St. Joseph Church
Bristol, Connecticut
Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Pastoral Minister
Methods of Principled Nonviolent Protest, Persuasion and Christian
Prophetic Witness
The following methods and
actions for "principled nonviolence" are derived from spirituality of the
prophetic tradition of the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament. The biblical witness
is always concerned about giving concrete expression to faith in light of the "signs
of the times" (James 2:14ff.). Christian witness to Jesus Christ consists of the a
healing, reconciling and prophetic ministry that denounces and confronts evil to cooperate
with the God's grace in helping to "build up" the Reign of God. Such is done in
the daily lives of believers and their world.
Some Methods of Nonviolent Protest
Formal Statements
1. Public Speeches
2. Letters of opposition and support (cf. A Decent Boom and Ban Land Mines)
3. Declarations by organizations and institutions(cf. Seventy-five U.S. Catholic Bishops Condemn Policy of Deterrence)
4. Signed public statements
5. Group or mass petitions
Communications With A Wider Audience
1. Slogans and symbols
2. Banners, posters, and displayed communications
(billboards)
3. Leaflets, pamphlets and books
4. Newspapers and journals, Internet
Group Representations
1. Mock awards
2. Group lobbying
3. Picketing
4. Polling
Symbolic Public Acts
1. Wearing of symbols
2. Prayer vigils
3. Protests dramas
4. Civil disobedience
5. Demonstrations using nonviolence
Withdrawal and Renunciation
1. Walk-outs
2. Silence
4. Renouncing honors
The Methods of Social Non-cooperation
Economic and Political Action
1. Social boycott
2. Interdict
3. Economic boycott
4. Fraternization with the adversary
5. Boycott social affairs
6. Divine obedience or civil disobedience
7. Collective walk-out
8. Non-consumption of boycotted goods
9. Rent withholding
10. Lockout
11. General Strike
Actions by Governments
1. Domestic embargo
2. International seller's embargo
3. International trade embargo
4. Expulsions from international organizations
5. Severance of diplomatic relations
6. Non-cooperation with occupation forces
Reference
Joseph J. Fahey and Richard Armstrong, Essential
Readings On War, Justice, Nonviolence And World Order (New York: Paulist Press, 1992)
pp.473-479.
Compiled by Deacon Robert M. Pallotti, D. Min.
Created 9/26/1998
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