100, 10, 5 Years Later

[Karen Bradley, a co-founder of The Democracy Cell Project and well-known advocate of individual grassroots activism, is deeply embedded in Ground Zero at Camp Democracy in Washington this month. I'm taking the liberty of reposting today's report from Karen here on CultureKitchen because her message is an eloquent reminder of some critical but oft-missed points about the power of progressive peacefulness.]

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100, 10, 5 YEARS LATER
by Karen Bradley, democracycellproject.net

Today looks to be gloomy and chilly in our nation's capitol and that works just fine.

Despite the beauty of the Camp Democracy location, with stunning views of both the Capitol and the Washington Monument, we cannot help but be reminded, throughout each day, of the outrages being committed at both ends of the Mall. I often feel squeezed and anxious, choked between splendor and the dream of justice, and the harshest of realities: the knowledge that nothing seems to work.

The past week has been an ongoing unfolding of where we are as peace and justice activists, and the view is sobering. We have had moments of tremendous inspiration and purpose (the press event yesterday morning with the young Iraq vets was deeply moving, mostly because truth to power seems to choke a lot of us up), and moments of shaking our heads, wondering how we can ever get to a place where speaking truth to power will affect more than those few actually speaking.

Last night a group of us went to dinner; some of the musicians and some of the staff, and we spoke of Gandhi. Today, September 11, 2006, is the 100th anniversary of the Gandhian nonviolence movement. We discussed how little we understand Gandhi anymore. So here is a quick lesson (from http://www.quietspaces.com/satyagraha.html):

"The word Satya (Truth), is derived from Sat, which means being. And nothing is or exists in reality except Truth."
-- M.K. Gandhi, Young India, July 30 1931

"Truth (Satya) implies love, and firmness (Agraha) engenders and therefore serve as a synonym for force. I thus began to call the Indian movement "Satyagraha", that is to say, the Force which is born of Truth and Love or non-violence, and gave up the use of the phrase "passive resistance".
-- M.K. Gandhi, Satyagraha in South Africa

The most potent legacy Gandhi left to India was the technique of satyagraha. There was in this instrument of action, power to effect change. "Satyagraha" had become the cry of all those who felt aggrieved, and popular agitations, however organized and whatever their objective, were widely described as "satayagraha movements". Informed, responsible, and concerned Indians today reflect upon the use and meaning of "satyagraha" with misgivings, yet with hope; with fond memories, and yet with anxiety for the future. - - - The name has been seized upon to describe many forms of opposition to government, and to explain almost any direct social or political action short of organized violence.

Recent Indian history provides hundreds of satyagraha movements within many environments.

The following points were laid down by Gandhi as a code for volunteers in the 1930 movement:

Code of Discipline

1. Harbour no anger but suffer the anger of the opponent. Refuse to return the assault of the opponent.
2. Do not submit to any order given in anger, even though severe punishment is threatened for disobeying.
3. Refrain from insults and swearing.
4. Protect opponents from insult or attack, even at the risk of life.
5. Do not resist arrest nor the attachment of property, unless holding property as a trustee.
6. Refuse to surrender any property held in trust at the risk of life.
7. If taken prisoner, behave in an exemplary manner.
8. As a member of a satyagraha unit, obey the orders of satyagraha leaders, and resign from the unit in the event of serious disagreement.
9. Do not expect guarantees for maintenance of dependents.

Steps in a Satyagraha Campaign

The outline below is applicable to a movement growing out of grievances against an established political order.

These steps could be adapted to other conflict situations.

1. Negotiation and arbitration
2. Preparation of the group for direct action
3. Agitation
4. Issuing of an ultimatum
5. Economic boycott and forms of strike
6. Non-cooperation
7. Civil disobedience
8. Usurping of the functions of government
9. Parallel government

Gandhi and other Indian leaders accepted all who would join their campaigns. They developed tactics and rules as they moved to meet well-advanced situations of conflict. Had they been able to select their crusaders and to train them for their respective roles in the satyagraha operation, the movements might well have been even more dramatic."

As I sit here thinking about 100 years ago, when Gandhi began his journey, 10 years ago, when my daughter left her life, and 5 years ago when 3,000 plus humans joined her, I cannot help but wonder how such lessons have been so overlooked. Struggle to understand. Understand the struggle. Fight our own demons; do not demonize the ones who fight their own. Hold accountable those who would use their power and will to harm others; we do not need passivity. We need action, and quiet firm confrontation.

I do not know what this day will bring, but I do know that whatever happens will be in the name of Mahatma Gandhi, Bethany Bradley, and those who have died because of lies and exploitation, profiteering and empire. The numbers are simply staggering and something must be done. We have no specific plans, and there is a full agenda for the day, but I believe in flow and breath.

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