Workshops: Nonviolent Resistance for Human Rights, by Cath and Ronika
From the Greenham Newsletter. Winter 1989-90
On Nov 25th Ronika and I arrived in Paris to attend and speak at a conference on Nonviolent Resistance for Human Rights.
Our workshop was Nonviolent Resistance to Nuclear Armament. Also speaking was Solange Fernex from France and Jutty and Volk Volke from Peace House ouside the Pershing base at Mutlangen, West Germany. Ronika spoke wonderfully in French (I didn't understand it so I could be wrong). I spoke in English and was translated (wotta wimp). The workshop went well, lots of people came and there was a good debate at the end, though by this time we both were rather out of our depths.
The afternoon session was very good, except that although chaired by a woman, the other main participants were men. There were five men, from Lebanon, Palestine, South Africa, Uruguay and Bangladesh, speaking about their experiences – emotionally and informatively about the horrors and traumas they themselves had been through and their countries are continually going through.
They spoke of problems when making alliances with groups not opposed to violence, and the misconception that the term 'nonviolence' means 'apathy' and 'passivity.' They pointed out that for some countries it is impossible "to sit on the fence," for example, in South Africa, white passivity towards apartheid and taking a "neutral position" in reality contributes to apartheid. To understand oppression you must talk to the oppressed, not to the oppressor!!
Most of the speakers were religous and gained strength from their beliefs. [Apart from this] The knowledge of what is going on all around you every day, that you can never be sure that your life is safe, or your family's, is enough to keep you struggling and gives you the energy never to give up.
Despite all their harrowing experiences, they remained hopeful and positive, gaining strength from other countries' nonviolent experiences – both successful and unsuccessful. They got strength and hope from other people's testimonies and actions. The Palestinian speaker said his strength came from his mother. His father and others were killed, and his mother told him: "Do not make orphans and widows by killing."
To see pain and suffering around you causes anguish but also courage. These emotions transmit themselves and strengthen the other people to go on. As the speaker from Uruguay said, "It is not possible to be happy when others close by are crying."
Many people sent best wishes and strength to everyone involved in Greenham.
Website designed by 