198 Methods of Nonviolent Direct Action

Nonviolent Action Method #137: Refusal of an Assemblage or Meeting to Disperse

30 August 2017
From Gene Sharp

Refusal of an Assemblage or Meeting to Disperse

A formal or informal meeting may demonstrate opposition by rejecting requests, whether official or not, to disperse. Sometimes, this technique is closely linked to non-obedience or civil disobedience with “illegitimate” laws.

In 2014, protesters demonstrating against the killing of unarmed African-American teenager Mike Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, refused to disperse. In response, police fired tear gas into the crowd.

(You can read more about the different methods of nonviolent protest in Gene Sharp’s book The Politics of Nonviolent Action. Access CSA’s catalogue of Sharp’s methods here, or download the full list of 198 methods here.)

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Nonviolent Action Method #8: Banners, Posters, Displayed Communications

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The Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace was a movement of thousands of women who, among other efforts, bravely took to the streets united under a banner that said, “The women of Liberia want peace now.” The movement’s organizer, Leymah Gbowee said, “It was the first time in the history of Liberia that Muslim women and Christian women came together.”

(You can read more about the different methods of nonviolent protest in Gene Sharp’s book The Politics of Nonviolent Action.

Nonviolent Action Method Method #6: Group or Mass Petitions

From Gene Sharp

One example is the petition organized by United We Dream, urging people to protect immigrant youth by protecting the DREAM Act.

(You can read more about the different methods of nonviolent protest in Gene Sharp’s book The Politics of Nonviolent Action.

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