"Using violence against violence will only intensify bias and fear, provide the government the excuse for suppression, and further empower the suppressors. Civil disobedience is to win over hatred with love."
~ OCLP Manual of DisobedienceAre you deeply impressed with the protesters in Hong Kong? I am. They are so committed and proactive. The above quote is from their Manual of Disobedience which is absolutely worth reading. It shows preparedness, clarity of purpose, commitment, integrity, and compassion. It is also notable for its unwillingness to throw anyone under the bus. Participants are encouraged to create safety for themselves within this potentially dangerous action and to determine the level of interaction for themselves.
This document feels like a culmination of decades of protest and can serve as a template going forward in activism.
Ferguson has so deeply saddened me, but this gives me hope.
Change isn't coming. It's already here.
(Above photo courtesy Henry Parker.)
