Comments on: Open Letter to the Occupy Movement: Why We Need Agreements

By: abster

abster — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:57:16 +0000

Anything less than radical nonviolence is doomed to failure. Hatred never ceases by hatred.

By: Arianna

Arianna — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:46:12 +0000

I certainly agree with a non-violent approach as the best way to accomplish the goals of the Occupy movement. I abhor violence in any form, and feel it can never justify a positive outcome in any
situation. However, perhaps it is time for those of us who do participate in non-violence to take the matter of agents provacateur into our own hands. Not by responding to their violence with more violence, but perhaps by surrounding them and preventing them from committing any violent acts. I’m not sure how groups such as Black Bloc would react to this, but if they are
pointed out and prevented from their actions, they may decide to either join the non-violence or become frustrated and just leave the demonstration. Don’t know if it would work, just throwing it out there.

By: Lenny Fisher

Lenny Fisher — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:59:44 +0000

I would like to thank you for taking the time to address this issue. Your guidance is much appreciated here in little Longview, WA as we have been discussing our concerns of recent events.

By: d lande

d lande — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:15:09 +0000

when can you come to a General Assembly ?

By: Lambert Strether

Lambert Strether — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:11:15 +0000

Susan, see “Why Civil Resistance Works” by Erica Chenoweth. An excellent study. The odds, amazingly enough, are better with non-violence.
http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/files/IS3301_pp007-044_Stephan_Chenoweth.pdf

By: Lambert Strether

Lambert Strether — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:08:10 +0000

If I wanted to write an essay advocating non-violence, Chris Hedges would not have been my first choice, and his article is an “own goal.”

It’s important for non-violence advocates to keep the focus on strategic non-violence, and not on the Hedges/Graeber pie fight, especially as people will often identify those they see as spokespersons for policies with those policies.

By: Josh Trost

Josh Trost — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:57:44 +0000

I guess Chris Hedges didn’t read your excellent letter before writing his “The Cancer in Occupy” diatribe; sure wish he had! I’ve been trying to share this with those having a discussion about Hedges’ article. You folks speak with great clarity and care; thank you!

By: Susan Partnow

Susan Partnow — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:57:14 +0000

Thank you for this well though out and wise statement. We are in a big struggle here in Seattle and I hope this will help. Nonviolence is essential. (BTW – I do not think of Gandhian nonviolence as pacifist in any way but as powerful, strategic and values based activism)

By: Summerspeaker

Summerspeaker — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:46:52 +0000

Particularly in conjunction with the widespread moralistic condemnation of comrades in Oakland, I find this letter troubling. Insisting that everyone swear not to cause material damage or protect themselves performs a harmful exclusion and drains the movement of its revolutionary potential. If accountability and transparency mean uniformity, then I question whether those values deserves a central place in the struggle.

By: Peace Elk

Peace Elk — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:50:20 +0000

Thank you for writing this letter. I agree and have been having this discussion with other Occupiers since the beginning.