Gandhi Team

The CLARA Method (Calm, Listen, Affirm,  Respond, Add) helps you model compassionate, kind, empathic listening and communication to help de-escalate a situation and bring harmony, whether during a public protest, at work, or at a family dinner.

Practitioners of nonviolent struggle have an entire arsenal of “nonviolent weapons” at their disposal. Listed here are 198 of them, classified into three broad categories: nonviolent protest and persuasion, noncooperation (social, economic, and political), and nonviolent intervention.

When you know what the law says, you can better protect yourself. This guide can help advocates on the ground understand their First Amendment rights and how to safely hit the streets to express themselves. The First Amendment protects your right to assemble and express your views through protest. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights. Make sure you’re prepared by brushing up on your rights before heading out into the streets. ACLU Know Your Rights: covers topics about organizing protests, attending protests, taking photos at a protest, and being stopped by the police while protesting If you are being questioned by the police: Ask → “Am I being detained? Am I free to go?” If you are arrested: State → “I am invoking my right to remain silent. I would like to speak to a lawyer."

Handy pocket-sized ACLU Know Your Rights Booklet to be cut and folded

Mini-manual for Peace Ambassadors

How to behave when confronted with direct violence. Every violent situation has its own dynamic and is unique: no formula for reacting to a violent situation will work. Key is awareness of the moment: what is going on, what is working to keep people from violence. Below are some ideas of skills and behaviors that have been successful in some situations. Since freezing can be a natural reaction to being involved in direct violence, consider these other options for reacting to a violent situation.

Fear is a normal reaction to situations of extreme tension or stress. It can be beneficial when we use it as a red flag, warning us of risks which lie ahead and giving us time to prepare ourselves accordingly. For this, we should be ware of our body’s reactions to stress and recognize palpitations, an upset stomach, “frog” in your throat, drowning sensations, etc. as normal in such situations. However, it is important that we opt for action over paralysis. Remember that fear and its consequences often feed off each other in a vicious circle, augmenting stress and tension, if they are not addressed promptly.

Be aware of disability etiquette when serving as a peace ambassador or safety monitor