This is a post about CONFRONTIVE nonviolence, not pacifist nonviolence. I'm hoping some of you won't mind me cross-posting this from other imc boards since the content could be very very valuable for many here.

Notably, pacifism has it's place, (a thorough read of Gahdhi and you can see it's value in spades--in some circumstances). Still, there is another type of nonviolence which usually seems to get overlooked when people talk about "peaceful" marches versus property destruction: confrontive nonviolence.

This type of nonviolence was apparently pioneered by the late Saul Alynsky, who led hugely successful "back of the yards" organizing in Chicago and Rochester, NY. He published an interesting book: _Rules For Radicals_. A MUST read, especially on his various outrageously funny tactics! (Your local independent bookstore ought to have it; and SOMEONE ought to put parts of it online! hint hint!)

Anyone here familiar with Alynsky?

His main thrust was to act "within the experience" of protesters, yet "outside the experience" of those targeted. His highly successful groups used eaten beans, chewed gum, and other unorthodox methods to utilize "mass jiu-jitsu" upon targets.

They also went outside of the traditional spaces of demos and to the quiet neighborhoods where particular policy- makers lived. There, they put their protests into action, often publicly shaming the targeted policymaker.

The bean thing was: A critical mass of protesters ate a lot of beans and then once the beans had percolated for awhile, went to an enclosed building in which the problem policymaker was known to be attending. And they made a BIG STINK, literally!

I see that CONFRONTIVE nonviolent tactics like these are but the tip of the iceberg of possible methods, far more enjoyable than traditional pacifism. Put our creative minds toghether and see what MORE we can come up with!

Oh, here's one: Comedians with those really loud bullhorns directing their humor at/with cops in situations that have become very tense (timing is key). Attempt to get the cops laughing so much that they don't beat the shit out of nonviolent protesters, at the very least. (This method is an attempt to bridge with cops who have been hyped up to attack by the usual methods of their "superiors" hype)

Another: Get out of your "radical" clothes (if you dare) and *finally* learn to wear camoflauge. What? Figure this out!

The use of HUMOR and JOY have a serious place in our increasingly heavy situation, and we've got to begin using it WITHIN our ranks, as well as towards the many people who watch and would like to be inspired by our activities.

We MUST remember that the state's policymakers WOULD RATHER that increasingly desperate people turn to violence, because the state is WELL PREPARED for this kind of situation arising (People need only to read the history of cointelpro to learn that the feds used court litigation as one vital tool in gumming up our limited resources over and over again).

On the other hand, they ARE NOT well prepared for the creative genius of *ALL OF US* putting our heads together and coming up with FUN and still legal ways to fuck with the mindsets of the well-trained (and de-individualized, well-alienated) pawns (cops) who are to do the policymakers' bidding.

That's a key situation: Having a conscious of idea of WHO we're seeking to speak to, and WHY. So, whether we are marching alone or in our affinity groups, or in a large march, we have a huge plethora of communications to ALL the people we'd like to speak with.

COME ON, PEOPLE, we've GOT to get BEYOND these same old, seriously OBSOLETE methods of interaction!

For instance, how about looking at our protesting activity as more than carrying simple slogans! Here we have a chance to interact with well-propagandized corporate stiffs and ALL we are doing is giving them these "stop corporate... whatever" LAME slogans!

What if we sought to actually TAKE ON THESE PEOPLE'S ALLEGED IGNORANCE? For instance, every corporate stiff I've ever heard talk says that you "crazy radical kids" don't have any real understanding of what you're doing; and in fact you are being manipulated by the Left.

Hmmm. Another one they got is that they're ever so certain that their transnational colonizer organizations ARE accountable--to *insurance companies*!

So, look, we have a CHANCE to disprove those beliefs by our direct actions! LET'S STOP LOOKING LIKE DAMN FOOLS OUT THERE AND START MAKING SIGNS WHICH ACTUALLY SAY SOMETHING WITH DEPTH!!!