Nonviolent Action Method #18: Displays of Flags and Symbols

Photo by Ryan Rodrick Beiler, with permission

Displays of Flags and Symbols

This technique showcases the flag or colors of a national, religious, social or political group, in a form of nonviolent protest that draws on the existence of deep emotions or from the intention to stir them.

In 2005, Israel began construction of the wall along the West Bank, ostensibly to keep out suicide bombers. However, in some towns, such as Bil’in, the wall also prevented Palestinians from accessing the majority of their farmland. Residents began to gather at the wall every week to protest, waving Palestinian flags.

(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 #11: Records, Radio and Television

From Gene Sharp

During the 2012 elections in Mexico, many youth felt that Enrique Peña Nieto, the eventual winner, was given an unfair advantage by the television monopolies of TVAzteca and Televisa. So they took to the Internet, using Youtube and other websites as means of communicating their dissent.

Nonviolent Action Method #112: Reporting Sick ("Sick-In")

From Gene Sharp

Reporting Sick (“Sick-In”)
Where strikes are forbidden by or are not feasible for other reasons, workers can achieve the same goals, ranging from a reduction in production to the equivalent of a real strike, by agreeing to call in sick.