February 23, 2006
Bloomington Peace Action Coalition presents
“A FORCE MORE POWERFUL” Documentary Film Showing
Part 1: Nonviolent direct action desegregation efforts in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1960s; Gandhi's Salt March in India in 1930; Anti-Apartheid consumer boycotts in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, 1984-85.
This film is the first in a series of Films, Forums, and Talks on NONVIOLENT POWER. This series sets out to debunk the widespread myth that violence and force are necessary evils - that our security, freedom, and democracy depend on our willingness to use force and to wield the weapons of war. Contrary to this myth, history shows that many times a powerful army could not win against a populace that was inferior in military force, but strong in will and organization.
Gandhi chose nonviolent action not for its virtue alone, he considered it “… the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.“ Indeed, non-violent campaigns have been successfully used against dictators, foreign occupiers, totalitarian regimes, as well as democratically elected governments.
Contrary to popular beliefs that equate non-violence with passivity, submission, and cowardice, our series will show that non-violent campaigns are bold and courageous challenges to oppressive powers, involving discipline, diligent planning, and the willingness to sacrifice.
What makes nonviolent actions so powerful, indeed, more powerful than violence? Gandhi and others who used non-violence saw clearly that power is not in the officials who give orders but, in the individuals who follow them. If people cease to cooperate by not following orders, they sever the power base of the oppressor. Non-violent actions tend to break up that power base also in another way: by inspiring support for their cause among those who are in the camp of the oppressor! Several of these campaigns will be featured in the film: “A Force More Powerful”
Part 1 of this documentary series traces the events that led to desegregation in Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1960s. It then chronicles Gandhi's breaking of the government's salt monopoly, which inspired widespread, massive civil disobedience and non-cooperation with British rule in 1930. The film ends with the story of the 1984-85 boycott of white-owned businesses by the people living in South Africa's black townships, who used the power that they had as consumers to bring about an end of apartheid.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
Monday, March 6, 2006
Bloomington Peace Action Coalition presents
“A FORCE MORE POWERFUL”
Documentary Film Showing
Part 2 : Danish non-violent opposition to Nazi occupation, 1940-45; Polish shipyard workers liberating their unions from Communist control in 1980; Chilean protest against General Pinochet's military dictatorship in 1983.
This film is the second in a series of Films, Forums, and Talks on NONVIOLENT POWER.
This series sets out to debunk the widespread myth that violence and force are necessary evils - that our security, freedom, and democracy depend on our willingness to use force and to wield the weapons of war. Contrary to this myth, history shows that many times a powerful army could not win against a populace that was inferior in military force, but strong in will and organization.
Gandhi chose nonviolent action not for its virtue alone, he considered it “… the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.“ Indeed, non-violent campaigns have been successfully used against dictators, foreign occupiers, totalitarian regimes, as well as democratically elected governments.
Contrary to popular beliefs that equate non-violence with passivity, submission, and cowardice, our series will show that non-violent campaigns are bold and courageous challenges to oppressive powers, involving discipline, diligent planning, and the willingness to sacrifice.
What makes nonviolent actions so powerful, indeed, more powerful than violence? Gandhi and others who used non-violence saw clearly that power is not in the officials who give orders but, in the individuals who follow them. If people cease to cooperate by not following orders, they sever the power base of the oppressor. Non-violent actions tend to break up that power base also in another way: by inspiring support for their cause among those who are in the camp of the oppressor! Several of these campaigns will be featured in the film: “A Force More Powerful”
Part 2 of “A Force More Powerful” explores the mass non-violent opposition to the Nazi occupation of Denmark during 1940-45, culminating in a general strike. The second segment documents the Polish shipyard workers struggle in 1980, led by Lech Walesa, to free their trade unions from communist control. The film ends with the story of non-violent resistance against Pinochet's military dictatorship in Chile in 1983, initiated by the copper miners' union call to “break the silence”.
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington
