By: Lea Hilliker and Paige Wright, Nonviolence International Interns
In the wake of the tragedy in Oxford, Michigan, many questions have been raised about gun violence, and school safety. On November 30th, 2021, at approximately 1pm one troubled 15 year old student opened fire on fellow students at Oxford High School. While the student was quickly detained, the impact of this event left many students, faculty, and staff traumatized, numerous injured, and forever took the lives of 4 students. Since this incident, schools are reporting a high number of copycat threats made, which have forced many to close out of precaution for their students. While many officials believe that this individual acted alone, this incident opens up a conversation about the responsibility of school administration in protecting students. Paige and I will discuss our personal experiences associated with preparing for active shooter situations, and address the general ideas associated with the topic of gun violence. Our passion for nonviolence, and activism at Nonviolence International propelled our dedication to recognize the events in the metro Detroit area. Growing up in Northern Michigan, and studying in the Oakland community, I want to acknowledge the pain and grief that my community faces, and recall the potential strategies to help students feel secure in an academic environment.
Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of an active school shooting In the United States, and it will not be the last until we see change in gun control. Since 1970, the United States has had 1,316 school shootings and this number is increasing. Students across the United States and world are being trained to protect themselves in the classroom. Below we discuss both of our experiences in active shooter training and how preparation for a shooting benefits and harms students.
Lea: “During my first year at Oakland University, my school gained national recognition for suggesting the use of hockey pucks in an active shooter situation. The idea sparked from a comment made by the campus Police Chief, who suggested that the hockey pucks could be used in emergency situations. While the technique appeared immature, and insufficient, the overall movement to give hockey pucks to college students built a stronger push to support campus security. The distribution and sale of the hockey pucks were linked to a fundraising campaign that paid for classroom locks, and other safety measures. I think the success of this campaign highlighted the efforts made by faculty and students to protect their fellow Grizzlies, but also illustrated the lack of accountability of the administration in allocating funds towards this project.
Similarly, I know that this tragedy has deeply impacted the lives of many families in the area. Many of my classmates grew up in the area, or have family members that work, or go to school in Oxford. In the past few weeks since, Oakland University, various high schools, and other institutions have offered mental health services to help those in grief, and various community leaders have hosted vigils to support the families of those victims and survivors. The Oxford tragedy deeply transformed the Oakland community, and united the metro Detroit area. I am hopeful that this unity continues, and leads to significant changes in legislation to address problems like gun pollution and male violence.”
Paige: “In my last two years of high school, my high school looked at the dangers of rising school shootings and the unfortunate bomb threats we had received. My administrators decided that students should undergo ALICE training for an active shooter response. ALICE is an acronym for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. The main elements to ALICE training were strong communication on the location of a potential shooter, acting on the defensive without fighting (building barricades, creating distractions, etc.), and leaving when the area was safe.
During an ALICE drill, we were told ahead of time that we would be doing the drill on a certain date but the time was unknown to resemble the unexpected behavior of a shooter. Later an individual masking as an active shooter would enter the school with a blow horn. We then began following ALICE as receptionists alerted the school, students near the shooter locked their doors and hid, and students far from the shooter exited and walked to a close by school. After the training, the student body would gather in the other school as our principal told us how many students “died” and how we did with the overall training. At the end of this, we would return to our regular school day.
While going through ALICE training prepared me for an active shooter, it also stripped away my idea that school was a safe place to learn. While I never consciously considered if my school was unsafe, my teachers telling us potential classroom items that could be our weapons and our escape routes shattered my assumed perception of safety. It is a harsh reality students must face to protect themselves.”
Lea: “Moreover, I know that my high school often held lockdown drills to prepare students for active shooter situations. Unfortunately, students did not take these drills seriously, and I felt relatively unprepared in the instance of a lockdown. While I grew up in a relatively small community in Northern Michigan, I wished that more schools adopted trainings, and extensive drills that encourage students to recognize the risk of active shooter situations, to take responsibility for holding school administration accountable, and to communicate potential threats in the area. Based on my experiences, I felt underprepared, and ill-informed on how to manage active shooter situations. Sadly, these strategies to better prepare and inform students do not solve the larger societal issues at hand. We need drastic change, and political activism to curate deep, and lasting change."
How do students respond to school shootings? While we are speaking from the perspective of a middle class, suburbians, outside of mandatory school trainings, we have seen students hold discussions on potential solutions, participate in walkouts, advocate for their lives to their school administration, honor the lives of victims, and so much more. Students have taken nonviolent means to end violent action. Their bravery in advocacy has brought significant attention to the prevalence of gun violence in schools but students are still waiting on legislation that will create formidable change. Instead of asking students to prepare for the worst, our leaders must pass legislation and take action that favors students and helps prevent active shootings in schools.
March for Our Lives (April, 2018)
Paige: “I remember my school participated in a National Walkout Day where students across America left their schools, holding signs that called for an end to gun violence and the need for legislators, school administrators, and communities to act. When walking those couple of miles, we were not just advocating for our safety but also, we were fighting for our lives and our need to be safe in schools.
The lack of action from our leaders is an action against our lives. Until we see change, I know the students after me will not give up. We will walk-out of our schools, speak to our administrators, and keep a conversation going on our safety until we see change. Until our lives are valued and protected.”
In acknowledging the events in Oxford, and the significant threat that gun violence poses to our youth, Nonviolence International (NVI) seeks to inspire our communities, and loved ones to take action, and support the protests against gun violence. We hope that through discussing the events in Oxford, we can work to provide our resources and knowledge on this topic.
Here is what you can do to help:
- Donate to the victims and survivors of the Oakland school shooting, organizations that advocate for gun control like the Coalition To Stop Gun Violence, and nonviolence promoters like NVI or our partners.
- Support research into gun violence.
- Sign petitions to give our students more protection.
- If you are in the United States, message your representatives calling for more gun control.
- Join movements such as the youth-led March for Lives to promote change.
We are calling for action beyond searching school backpacks and red flag laws. We need radical reform to reverse the US Supreme Court’s new interpretation of the 2nd amendment, efforts to ban semi and automatic weapons, and more laws to protect children from gun use. Gun violence is yet another symptom of the epidemic of violence in our communities. NVI calls on all people everywhere to rise up against the forces of dehumanization and destruction all around us. We are stronger together, please join us in protecting our students.
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The Application of Nonviolence International’s Tactical Framework in "All Rise"
Introduction
The publication "All Rise: Judicial Resistance in Poland" by Marcin Mrowicki highlights the strategic and organized resistance of Polish judges against authoritarian encroachments on judicial independence. Using the Nonviolence International Tactical Database as a foundation, this work demonstrates the power of nonviolent tactics in preserving democracy and judicial autonomy. Below, we detail the integration of our framework, key outcomes of the resistance, and its broader implications, along with a call to action for further engagement with our tactical database.
Integration of Nonviolent Tactics Framework
The publication represents a significant milestone in the application of Nonviolence International’s Tactical Database. By categorizing judicial resistance actions such as public demonstrations, digital campaigns, and legal challenges, the framework provides a comprehensive lens to analyze these efforts. This integration underscores the database’s versatility, offering insights into how nonviolent tactics can effectively safeguard institutional independence.
Catalyzing Broader Resistance Movements
Marcin Mrowicki’s use of the Nonviolence International Tactical Database demonstrates how these tactics extend beyond grassroots movements to professional and institutional settings. Actions such as acts of omission, commission, and expression mobilized solidarity among judges, lawyers, and civil society, forming a united resistance against systemic authoritarianism.
Lessons for Pro-Democracy Movements
The publication illuminates the adaptability of nonviolent resistance in challenging political climates. Polish judges, faced with systemic threats to their independence, strategically employed tactics that disrupted authoritarian agendas while safeguarding democratic principles. These insights serve as a valuable resource for pro-democracy movements worldwide, illustrating how even nontraditional actors like the judiciary can lead impactful resistance.
Impact of Judicial Resistance
The resistance actions detailed in All Rise had profound national and international repercussions. They catalyzed European Union interventions, including financial penalties against the Polish government, and inspired solidarity across borders. Ultimately, these efforts contributed to the electoral defeat of the ruling Law and Justice Party in 2023, demonstrating the long-term impact of organized nonviolent resistance.
Specific Case Examples
Polish judges employed tactics like the "Chain of Lights" protests, where citizens and legal professionals came together to defend the judiciary, and resistance to the "Muzzle Law," which aimed to silence dissenting judges. These actions not only showcased the creative application of nonviolent resistance but also underscored the importance of judicial independence as a democratic cornerstone.
Broader Implications for Global Movements
The publication provides actionable lessons for global movements facing authoritarianism. It emphasizes that judicial independence is not merely a legal principle but a vital pillar of democracy. The tactics and outcomes described in All Rise offer inspiration and guidance for activists, civil society groups, and legal professionals worldwide.
Acknowledgment of the Tactical Database
The Nonviolence International Tactical Database proved instrumental in structuring the resistance analyzed in this publication. Its framework not only enabled effective categorization but also empowered judges and their allies to design impactful strategies. This validation highlights the database’s role as a foundational tool for resistance planning and analysis.
Call to Action
We invite readers to explore the Nonviolence International Tactical Database to discover how nonviolent tactics can be adapted to diverse contexts. Whether you are an activist, scholar, or professional, the database offers a wealth of knowledge and a platform to contribute your insights or case studies. Together, we can expand its scope and continue to support nonviolent resistance worldwide.
Read the whole publication here: All Rise: Judicial Resistance in Poland
Global Civilian Intervention to Colonial Occupation – Webinar
International intervention is being requested by Palestinian and Saharawi groups to help protect them from the violent occupiers. The US and most European States support or acquiesce to the Israel and Morocco illegal occupations and their repression of the residents. To fill the vacuum, international groups and tourists are helping. Are you interested in learning and maybe even being part of the historic and ongoing efforts of unarmed solidarity and civilian protection in Palestine and Western Sahara?On Thursday, November 21, we hosted a powerful and inspiring webinar exploring unarmed civilian protection (UCP) efforts in the occupied territories of Palestine and Western Sahara. Experts and activists shared firsthand insights into the critical role of international solidarity in supporting self-determination and defending human rights. 📺 Missed it?
The discussion addressed the challenges of colonial occupation, settler violence, and repression faced by Palestinians and Saharawis, as well as how international groups are stepping up to fill the vacuum left by state inaction. Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the decades-long movements in these regions and explored ways to engage in these historic efforts.
Our distinguished panel included:
- Huwaida Arraf (International Solidarity Movement & Freedom Flotilla)
- Mel Duncan (UCP Palestine – an NVI project)
- Mahmoud Zawahre (Palestinian Human Rights Defender)
- Wynd Kaufmyn (International Solidarity Movement & Western Sahara UCP)
- Khattari Elbaillal (Western Sahara Information Center)
- Daniel Roth (Center for Jewish Nonviolence)
We delved into parallels between the Israeli Apartheid Wall in Palestine and Morocco’s 2,700km-long occupation wall in Western Sahara, emphasizing the importance of applying principles of self-determination and human rights universally.
Join us in amplifying the voices of the oppressed and advancing the global movement for justice and solidarity!
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Palestinian woman shot and killed by Israeli occupation forces’ bullets while picking olives in Jenin
JENIN, October 17, 2024 (WAFA) A 60-year-old woman was shot and killed by Israeli occupation forces in the village of Faqqu'a, northeast of Jenin, on Thursday.
The director of the Red Crescent Society in Jenin, Mahmoud al-Saadi, said that the society's crews transferred a 60-year-old woman who was killed after being shot in the chest with live ammunition to the hospital
The woman was shot by Israeli occupation forces while she was picking olives with her family in the area near the separation and expansion wall built on the lands of the village of Faqqu'a.
The olive harvest season in the West Bank this year is witnessing repeated attacks by settlers and occupation forces, such as burning and cutting down olive trees, stealing the crop, and preventing farmers from reaching their lands.
This morning, colonists opened fire on participants in an event organized by the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission to help farmers from the village of Kafr al-Labad, east of Tulkarm, pick olives from their lands.
UN experts said yesterday that farmers in the occupied West Bank are facing the most dangerous olive season ever this year.
They added that Palestinian farmers are subjected to intimidation, restricted access to land, severe harassment and attacks by armed settlers. They considered that restricting the olive harvest season, destroying orchards and blocking access to water sources are attempts by Israel to expand its illegal settlements. source
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US military veteran arrested by Israeli forces in occupied West Bank
Michael Jacobsen was accompanying a Palestinian farmer in Masafer Yatta when he was arrested and threatened with imprisonment
17th of OCT. 2024: A United States military veteran was arrested by Israeli forces while accompanying a Palestinian farmer in a village in the West Bank, according to the International Solidarity Movement (ISM).
Michael Jacobsen was in the Palestinian village of Masafer Yatta in the Hebron governorate when he and other activists as well as Palestinian land owners were approached by Israeli soldiers on Thursday morning.
The ISM said the farmer Jacobsen was accompanying was facing "daily harassment, attacks, and invasions of his private land by Israeli settlers and occupation forces".
The soldiers demanded their identification and later Israeli police were called, who arrested Jacobsen and took him into custody at an interrogation centre.
Police told the US citizen's lawyer that Jacobsen was “endangering the public due to provocation of disturbances” and accused him of entering the country illegally because they suspected him of supporting the Palestinian-led Boycott, Sanctions, and Divestment (BDS) movement.
He was threatened with "imprisonment and deportation if he did not leave the country immediately", according to the ISM, and he chose instead to leave for Jordan.
The news of Jacobsen's arrest in the occupied West Bank comes as Israeli forces have on multiple occasions targeted American and other international activists in the area who assist Palestinians in protesting against Israeli settler encroachment.
Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank has soared since the beginning of Israel's war on Gaza last October.
In June, the United Nations reported that Israeli security forces and Israeli settlers have killed more than 500 Palestinians in the West Bank since the war began.
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, said in a report that the cases of these killings showed "consistent violations of international human rights law on the use of force by the ISF (Israeli security forces) through unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force and an increase in apparently planned targeted killings".
In August, Israeli forces shot American citizen Amado Sison in the leg while he was at a demonstration held in Beita, a Palestinian village near the occupied West Bank town of Nablus.
Then, nearly one month later in September, Turkish and American national Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was shot dead by Israeli forces in a demonstration in the same village of Beita.source
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In Memory of Ziad Abu Helil: A Pillar of Peaceful Resistance and Tribal Leadership
On October 7, 2024, Ziad Abu Helil, a prominent Palestinian leader and peace activist, was killed following a brutal raid by Israeli forces on his home in Dura, south of Hebron. Ziad, affectionately known as the "Icon of Resistance," was a key figure in advocating for Palestinian rights through peaceful means while also standing as a symbol of tribal integrity and conflict resolution in his community. His legacy will continue to inspire those committed to justice and peace.
Ziad's contributions to Palestinian society and beyond were manifold. As the tribal elder (Mukhtar) of Dura, he worked tirelessly to mediate and resolve conflicts within his community, playing a vital role in maintaining social cohesion. His peaceful approach extended beyond local concerns as he engaged actively in nonviolent resistance against the Israeli occupation. He was present in various peaceful protest actions, including in the village of Al-Araqib in the Naqab Desert and the Bab Al-Shams encampment near Jerusalem. His steadfastness made him a symbol of resistance, courage, and unity.
Ziad’s famous phrase, “بيهمش" (It doesn’t matter), uttered when confronted by Israeli soldiers accusing Palestinian children of throwing stones, embodied his unflinching resolve. He continually advocated for the rights of Palestinians to peacefully resist oppression, even in the face of violence and injustice.
His last public action—a demonstration to retrieve the bodies of Palestinian women held by Israeli forces—was a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice. His leadership in this protest, despite threats and arrests, successfully pressured Israeli authorities to reconsider their policies.
Nonviolence International honors the memory of Ziad Abu Helil as an exemplar of nonviolent resistance. His leadership, courage, and dedication to his people are a reminder of the power of peaceful action in the face of immense adversity.source
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The Flotilla ships currently being prevented from leaving port by the Turkish Port Authorities
On September 12, Freedom Flotilla has announced that the demonstration to release the Flotilla ships currently being prevented from leaving port by the Turkish Port Authorities, continues in Istanbul. and they are calling for help;
We need your help in getting international media to cover this historic protest and help put pressure on the government to release the ships, ensuring we can sail towards Gaza.
HOW TO HELP:
1. Call, email, and/or demonstrate at Turkish embassies and consulates and demand that the Freedom Flotilla ships be released and allowed to deliver aid to Gaza immediately.
2. Tag mainstream accounts in this post or when you share our photos to your stories.
3. Message the social media page of the Ministry of Transport and Foreign Affairs @tcdisisleri & @uabakanligi on IG and on X
4. Share our videos using the hashtags #WeWillSail and #LetThemSail tagging @tcdisisleri and @uabakanligi
#WeWillSail #LetThemSail #TheFreedomFlotilla #FFC #Istanbul #Turkiye #Turkey #mavimarmara
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Aysenur Ezgi Eygi Killed While Peacefully Protecting Palestinians
Nonviolence International has long supported third-party nonviolent action around the world and in Palestine/Israel through training, research, fiscal sponsorship, and advocacy. NVI strongly encourages well-meaning visitors, delegations, and organized solidarity accompaniment and co-resistance to go to Palestine/Israel. This page highlights some of the many activities by courageous international people and groups in Palestine/Israel who seek to protect civilians and human rights.
On September 3, 2024, Aysenur Ezgi Eygi traveled to the occupied West Bank to join the unarmed civilian protection (UCP) group, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM)/Faz3a. According to her family, she felt a deep responsibility to stand with Palestinian civilians facing ongoing repression and violence, particularly from settlers. On September 6, 2024, while attending a peaceful protest in Beita, Eygi was tragically shot in the head by an Israeli soldier. Source.
A photo of Aysenur Eygi during her graduation.
Aysenur Ezgi Eygi was born on July 27, 1998, in Turkey and raised in Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Seattle Central College in 2022 with an Associate’s degree in Art and completed her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures at the University of Washington in June 2024. She was actively involved in pro-Palestinian activism and was considering pursuing graduate studies in Near Eastern archaeology.
Nonviolence International, an organization dedicated to promoting nonviolent resistance and human rights, strongly condemns the killing of Eygi. We express deep outrage at the violent suppression of peaceful protests towards both Palestinians and internationals. This tragic incident underscores the dangers faced by activists advocating for basic human and civil rights in the occupied territories. Nonviolence International reaffirms its commitment to supporting peaceful activism and standing in solidarity with those resisting oppression.
Please call on the United Nations, Turkey, and the United States of America to launch independent investigations and to take measures to protect everyone.
To support our partners involved in UCP in Palestine, please visit the following:
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/ucpnp_partner
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/ffc_freedom_flotilla_coalition
https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/cjnv_partner
Faith as a Catalyst for Climate Action
Last week, 250 individuals, including Mubarak, founder of Nonviolence International, united in a monumental moment by endorsing the faith-driven appeal titled Protecting Our Common Climate System: Earth Governance for a Sustainable Future. This document, shaped by principles rooted in global faith traditions, calls for transformative governance to address the climate crisis.
Mubarak’s involvement reinforces the organization's commitment to fostering global cooperation and sustainable peace through environmental justice.
Key Messages
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Global Climate Governance:
- The current reliance on national-level commitments is insufficient in the face of the climate emergency.
- A cooperative, fit-for-purpose global governance structure is needed to manage the Earth’s climate as a shared system.
- The document proposes a UN Declaration of Planetary Emergency, complemented by a Planetary Emergency Platform and Action Plan.
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Faith-Based Principles for Climate Action: The appeal draws upon universal values shared by religions and philosophies:
- Protection of Creation: Urgent action to safeguard the Earth's ecosystem and climate system.
- Reciprocity/Equity: Advocating for intergenerational fairness and establishing Institutional Representatives of Future Generations.
- Justice/Fairness: Ensuring equitable use of resources, recognizing the human right to a healthy environment, and promoting environmental justice mechanisms such as an International Court for the Environment.
- Social Responsibility: Supporting the creation of a Fossil Fuel Treaty to phase out fossil fuels while addressing global inequities.
- Guardianship/Earth Trusteeship: Proposing better governance models for global and national commons.
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Proposals for Action:
- Adoption of governance frameworks inspired by principles like the Golden Rule and the Rights of Nature.
- Support for establishing the role of a UN Special Envoy for Future Generations and repurposing the UN Trusteeship Council to govern global commons.
- Strengthening environmental law to include ecocide as a crime under the International Criminal Court (ICC).
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Call to Action:
- The appeal invites individuals, organizations, and states to endorse these principles and highlights the importance of collective responsibility in ensuring a sustainable future.
Educational Takeaway
This appeal bridges the gap between faith-based values and actionable climate policies, making it a vital document for those seeking holistic approaches to environmental governance. By integrating spiritual and ethical dimensions, it provides a unique roadmap for inclusive and equitable climate solutions.
Further Engagement
The document also directs readers to resources, campaigns, and proposals for deeper understanding and active participation in the movement for Earth governance.
International Environmental Forum