Nonviolence Unbound

Author(s): Brian Martin

Irene Publishing, Sparsnäs, Sweden, 2015, pp. 354

Explores how methods of nonviolent action can be used effectively in contexts where unfamiliar: verbal abuse, online defamation, and struggles in relation to euthanasia and vaccination.

To Walk Without Fear: The Global Movement to Ban Landmines

Editor(s): Maxwell A. Cameron, Robert J. Lawson, and Brian W. Tomlin

Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998, pp. 512

This book was published soon after December 1997, when over 120 states (excluding the USA, Russia, China, India and  Pakistan) signed the Ottawa Convention to ban production, stockpiling and use of anti-personnel mines. It provides a wide ranging survey of both the global campaign and the diplomatic moves culminating in  the 'Ottawa process', which, under Canadian government leadership, resulted in the treaty.  There are contributions from leading campaigners, diplomats and academics.

Civil Society and the Drive towards an Arms Trade Treaty

background paper published by UNIDIR

Author(s): Daniel Mack, and Brian Wood

2012, pp. 29

An informative and detailed account of how the proposal for an Arms Trade Treaty to set international standards and controls upon the sale of arms, promoted in the 1990s by NGOs (such as Oxfam and Amnesty International) and by prominent individuals, for example Nobel Peace laureates, gained governmental support. The goal was not to stop all arms exports, but the more limited one of setting international standards for controlling sale of arms to strengthen national rules and to prevent weapons from intensifying conflicts or worsening human rights abuses. The Treaty was agreed at the UN General Assembly in April 2013 by 157 states, including the US under President Obama.    

See also: Campaign Against the Arms Trade, 'Issues - Arms Trade Treaty'
https://www.caat.org.uk/issues/att

CAAT notes that the Arms Trade Treaty came into force in December 2014 when ratified by 50 states (including the UK), but explains their scepticism about the concept of a 'responsible' arms trade.  CAAT claims the UK approves licenses which contravene the approved guidelines. and it should stop promoting arms sales  A number of other sources sceptical about the Treaty are listed. 

See also: 'Canada, ‘Canada joins the Arms Trade Treaty while still selling arms to Saudi Arabia’, Oxfam, 16 May 2019 

https://www.oxfam.ca/blog/canada-joins-the-arms-trade-treaty-while-still-selling-arms-to-saudi-arabia/

Oxfam comments that whilst Canadian eventual accession to the Treaty is a major victory for civil society, the government has not made moves to cancel its $15 billion arms deal with Saudi Arabia, despite the Saudi record on human rights (denounced by the Trudeau government) and the Saudi role in the war in Yemen.

See also: Pecquet, Julian, ‘UN Approval of Arms Trade Treaty sets up Obama, Senate Showdown’, The Hill,  2 April 2013

https://thehill.com/policy/international/291401-un-adopts-obama-backed-arms-trade-treaty-opposed-by-the-nra

Commentary on the domestic political context of  Obama’s decision to back the Arms Trade Treaty, opposed by 53 Senators and the National Rifle Association.  In the light of domestic opposition the Obama Administration had delayed support for the UN treaty in the run-up to the November 2012 election.  Pecquet also notes that the treaty passed with 154 votes; three countries opposed – North Korea, Syria and Iran – and 23 abstained.

A 1970 Law Led to the Mass Sterilization of Native American Women. That History Still Matters

Author(s): Brianna Theobald

In: Time, 2019

Investigates the history of the forced sterilization of Native American Women as a practice that reflects the history of U.S. colonialism.

See also on forced sterilization of Latino men and women: Novak, Nicole and Natalie Lira, ‘Forced sterilization targeted Americans of color, leaving lasting impact’, The Philadelphia Inquirer, 23 March 2018.

https://www.inquirer.com/philly/health/forced-sterilization-targeted-americans-of-color-leaving-lasting-impact-20180323.html

The link to the documentary ‘No Más Bebés’ (No More Babies), which tells the story of immigrant mothers who sued county doctors, the state, and the U.S. government after they were pushed into sterilizations while giving birth at the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center during the 1960s and 70s can be found here http://www.nomasbebesmovie.com/

Available online at:

https://time.com/5737080/native-american-sterilization-history/

Black Lives Matter cofounder Patrisse Cullors on her activism—and art—beyond hashtags

Author(s): Brianne Garrett

In: Forbes, 2020

Interview with Patrisse Cullors on the growth and further development of Black Lives Matter Global Network into its two most important complementing movements: #DefundPolice and #InvestInCommunities.

See also: https://theconversation.com/black-lives-matter-is-a-revolutionary-peace-movement-85449

See also: https://www.aclu.org/blog/racial-justice/race-and-criminal-justice/how-black-lives-matter-changed-way-americans-fight

Available online at:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannegarrett/2020/11/02/black-lives-matter-cofounder-patrisse-cullors-on-her-activism-and-art-beyond-hashtags/?sh=6f1038be1494

What Part did Nonviolence Play in the British Peace Movement 1979-1985?

Author(s): Bridget Mary Robson

University of Bradford, MA Dissertation, Bradford, 1992, pp. 89

Recounts debates surrounding the use of direct action and civil disobedience in anti-nuclear campaigns, noting the influence of New Left politics and feminism and the rise of nonviolence training, affinity groups and peace camps in the 1980s. Demonstrates that direct action was initiated at the grassroots level but in time accepted by CND leadership.

Exploring youth activism on climate change

Author(s): Karen O'Brien, Elin Selboe, and Bronwyn Hayward

In: Ecology and Society, Vol 23, No 3, 2018, pp. 1-14

The authors examine youth opposition to policies and practices that lead to climate change, noting that differing forms of climate activism have differing results. They focus on three types that oppose power relationships and political interests: ‘dutiful, disruptive, and dangerous dissent’

The Anti-Coup

Author(s): Gene Sharp, and Bruce Jenkins

Albert Einstein Institution, Cambridge MA, 2003, pp. 64

Summary analysis of potential for popular nonviolent resistance to defeat coup attempts, recommendations for organised strategy and advance preparations to prevents coups, and with very brief description of resistance to Kapp Putsch in 1920, the Algerian Generals in 1961 and to attempt to overthrow Gorbachev in 1991.

Available online as PDF at:

http://www.aeinstein.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/TAC-1.pdf

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