Can Nonviolent Direct Action Fix Anything In 2019?

By Steve Bynum
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority.
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority. Matt Dunham / AP Photo
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority.
Extinction Rebellion climate change protesters briefly block a road near the Bank of England in the City of London, Thursday, April 25, 2019. Extinction Rebellion says it will end its remaining blockades in London on Thursday evening with a closing ceremony, after disrupting the British capital for 10 days. The non-violent protest group is seeking negotiations with the government on its demand to make slowing climate change a top priority. Matt Dunham / AP Photo

Can Nonviolent Direct Action Fix Anything In 2019?

By Steve Bynum
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George Lakey likes to say that the current political moment presents a huge opportunity for change — bigger than the 60s and 70s. That position might surprise you, but it is informed by Lakey’s six decades working on direct action campaigns. From the Vietnam War to South Africa’s first multiracial election in 1994, Lakey has been on the ground for pivotal moments in history. He has facilitated 1,500 workshops on five continents and recently led an activist project with the Earth Quaker Action Team. A sociologist and author in addition to an activist, Lakey is currently a columnist for WagingNonviolence.org. His new book is How We Win: A Guide To Nonviolent Direct Action Campaigning. He also authored the book Viking Economics: How the Scandinavians Got It Right-and How We Can, Too. Lakey joins Worldview to discuss nonviolent direct action campaigning and help us understand the politics of 2019 in the context of history.