Nonviolence and Anarchism

Name of facilitator: Betsy Raasch-Gilman

E-mail: raaschgilman@gaiavoices.net Phone:

Course description: Questions about diversity of tactics and the most effective ways to hold protests come up at all mass mobilizations. This course will compare a few perspectives on this topic. We’ll explore theories of social change, particularly nonviolence and anarchism, and talk about how they play out on the ground. The Republican and Democratic National Convention, the School of the Americas protests, the WTO protests in Seattle, and the upcoming mobilization around the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will provide some context.

The class will be practical and participatory, with many group activities. Participants may be called upon to re-examine their beliefs, assumptions, and behaviors. For this reason, attendance at every session is strongly encouraged. Though the class will be challenging, the reading load will be light.

Class Time: 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.

Class Dates: February 17th, February 24th, March 3rd, and March 10th (Tuesday evenings)

Place: Friends Meeting House, 1725 Grand Avenue

Class size: Minimum __8_______ Maximum __25_______

What experience do you bring to this class?

Passing on and building up the inspiring lessons of nonviolent struggle is a passion for Betsy Raasch-Gilman. She has been helping people to prepare for protests, civil disobedience, and confrontational demonstrations for more than 25 years. Recently, she worked in the RNC Welcoming Committee to host anti-authoritarian and anarchist activists during the Republican National Convention. Betsy is also one of the few people her age who has worked in worker-run collectives most of her life. The blend of anarchism and nonviolence in her own life leads her to want to throw more light on this interface in this class.