Nonviolence

The principle of nonviolence applies to all members, roles and circles within Animal Think Tank. Nonviolence is embedded in our Five Values and help to guide the intent behind our day-to-day actions and overall work.

This agreement by no means covers the depth of nonviolence as a philosophy or as a strategy, but is the minimum that you'll be agreeing to when you join.

Introduction to Nonviolence

Nonviolence is both a strategic device and a philosophy. In adopting nonviolence we are drawing from previous movements and their traditions. Nonviolence is a powerful force and a tradition with a long history; it has roots in the Civil Rights and Indian Independence movements, as well as in South Africa and during the Colour Revolutions (plus many more).

Keeping to nonviolence has contributed to the success of many movements and has helped to create lasting change.

Here is our Strategic Playbook, which explains nonviolence in further detail.

As a Strategy...

We understand that nonviolent movements are twice as likely to succeed compared to violent movements, and are more likely to see lasting and peaceful social change. This is because nonviolence allows for:

• Increased participation

• Greater public support and sympathy

• Decreased repression

• Ill-informed government response

As a Philosophy...

Nonviolence is also considered a way of life or a philosophy. This means practising nonviolence in all aspects of your life, cultivating respect and love for your opponents, and seeking to resolve conflicts in a healthy way. There are many different interpretations of this:

Here are the Six Principles of Kingian Nonviolence.

Here is Gandhi on Nonviolence.

Intent

We aim to follow the principle of nonviolence as individuals, as an organisation and as a movement. We do this because we believe that it is just and to maximise our chances of creating change for animals.

Guidance

We don't accept:

• Physical violence or violence in tone:

• All forms of physical violence inside or outside ATT spaces

• Endorsing physical violence of any form

• Participating in or endorsing violent protest

• Participating in or endorsing violence against any opponents

• Forming alliances with violent groups or organisations

• Targeting and disrespecting our opponents’ personalities on public platforms.

We aim for:

We all aim to embody and act according to our Five Values in all situations:

LOVE. HUMILITY. POWER. COURAGE. EFFECTIVENESS.

Here are some examples of how nonviolence might apply to different situations to help guide you in your decision-making; they are not intended to be prescriptive.

Example 1

A violent protest breaks out within the Animal Justice Movement: a riot and property damage at Smithfield Meat Market. We may be instinctively drawn to belittling or discouraging the protesters, but instead we choose to empathise with their frustration and ackowledge their bravery in taking action. However, we stay strong in our position and talk to nonviolence as a way forward.

Example 2

A major conflict breaks out after schools across the UK adopt a meatless school meal one day a week. You log on to social media to find angry responses from all sides with little understanding. There is a press appearance the following day and you are prepping your notes. You choose to celebrate the victory and all the hard work that went into achieving that aim. You show gratitude to the activists and communities that were behind the campaign. You might feel the pressure to flaunt the victory but instead choose to show compassion for the opposite side and acknowledge the fear of change in the air. However, you stand your ground and remind everyone that violent actions towards animals is wrong and against our better nature.

Example 3

You are in conflict with another member of ATT. It has been sitting under the surface for some time now but you sense that things are about to escalate in the next meeting. You feel frustration and anger towards the other person. After taking some time to relax and talking to friends for support, you decide to be brave and intervene. You pull them aside and honestly talk about how you’ve been feeling. Then, you explain that you would like to find a way forward together.

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