Section I

The Principles & Practices of Nonviolent Resistance

What do we mean by nonviolent direct action (NVDA)? A NVDA is any action, often collective, that confronts injustice and authoritarianism to create change without violence. It is active, not passive. NVDA uses discipline, courage, and solidarity to challenge systems of power while minimizing harm to people.

This manual’s approach is strictly secular. The principles and practices of nonviolence are deeply rooted in numerous faith traditions, and, for many people, nonviolence is a religious imperative. While respecting everyone’s personal beliefs, this manual frames nonviolence resistance strictly as a practical, proven strategy. Research and experience—including Gene Sharp’s analysis of power, Amnesty International’s human-rights framework, and War Resisters International’s campaigns—demonstrate that organized, disciplined nonviolent action can be more effective than violence in creating lasting change.

Just as importantly, NVDA depends on keeping people safe. Safety measures like training participants, deploying marshals, practicing de-escalation, and preparing for risks are not merely supplemental precautions; they are the backbone of nonviolent discipline. Protecting yourself and those around you is part of what makes nonviolence powerful.

1. The Four Core Principles of Nonviolent Resistance

Power depends on consent. Governments and institutions rely on people’s cooperation to function. When enough people withdraw their consent—by refusing to obey, refusing to cooperate, or publicly resisting—those systems lose power.

Nonviolence is both ethical and strategic. Some people choose nonviolence because they believe violence is wrong; others choose it because history shows it works better. Different reasons for pursuing nonviolent methods should never be a barrier to people working together. Regardless of motive, discipline and safety remain the keys to success in the effective application of nonviolent methods.

Discipline under pressure manifests safety. Nonviolent action requires preparation and a shared commitment to stay calm and organized under stress. That discipline includes concrete safety practices—planning for risks, training participants, deploying marshals, and using de-escalation when needed. These habits keep individuals safe, strengthen group cohesion, and protect the credibility of the whole movement.

Solidarity builds strength. We are strongest when we act together. Mutual care, preparation, and communication make it possible for ordinary people to stand up to seemingly all-powerful regimes. Mutual aid—simply looking out for one another, sharing water, checking in, or watching for hazards—is crucial to the practice of nonviolent discipline.

2. Methods of Nonviolent Action

• Protests and Persuasion — actions that express opposition or raise awareness. Examples include marches, rallies, petitions, vigils, and cultural expression such as songs or street theater.
• Non-cooperation — actions that withhold support from unjust systems. Examples include economic boycotts, strikes, or refusal to comply with unfair rules.
• Nonviolent Interventions — actions that directly disrupt harmful practices or create alternatives. Examples include sit-ins, blockades, encampments, and community-led mutual aid.

Whichever methods are used, safety measures remain central:

• Honest, thorough risk and site assessments are essential when planning for safety.
• Training in nonviolent resistance, distress tolerance, and de-escalation techniques helps groups be more disciplined, effective, and safe during NVDA.
• NVDA marshals, medics, and legal observers all help keep NVDA disciplined, credible, and effective.
• A complete debrief after every action helps groups improve over time in the practice of nonviolent discipline, effective NVDA planning, and collective safety.

3. Strategic Frameworks

• Plan before you act. Spontaneous energy is valuable, but successful actions come from clear planning, training, and preparation.
• Assess risks honestly. Every action carries legal, physical, and reputational risks. Preparing for those risks with safety measures is part of nonviolent discipline—drafting safety plans, training participants, deploying marshals, medics, and legal observers, establishing legal hotlines, and organizing as small “pods” or “affinity groups.”
• Escalate thoughtfully. Movements often begin with persuasion (letters, rallies) and escalate to disruption (boycotts, sit-ins) when those in power refuse to listen.
• Build coalitions. The broader and more diverse your base of support, the more resilient your movement becomes. Shared safety culture also strengthens trust across coalitions.

4. Global Lessons

Movements across the world show that disciplined nonviolent action—supported by safety and solidarity—can change history. In the U.S., civil-rights activists combined disciplined nonviolence with careful safety planning to dismantle legal segregation. In South Africa, boycotts and international solidarity helped end apartheid. In Poland and Serbia, organized strikes and disciplined public resistance toppled authoritarian governments.

These victories weren’t accidental. They relied on training, preparation, and a commitment to protecting people while confronting power—outcomes of intentional organizing.

Key Takeaways from Section I

• Nonviolent action is active resistance, not passivity.
• Power rests on consent; withdrawing that consent shifts power.
• Discipline means more than staying calm—it means staying safe and organized.
• Solidarity is expressed through care, preparation, and mutual protection.
• Every method of action relies on safety measures to maintain credibility and effectiveness.

Section II

Basic NVDA Logistics

Nonviolent direct action (NVDA) is most effective when it looks effortless, but behind every smooth action is careful planning and clear structure. NVDA logistics contribute significantly to NVDA's safety, discipline, and focus. When participants know who is doing what, how to communicate, and what to expect, they can act with more confidence and unity. Logistics are not a distraction from nonviolent resistance; they are the essential details of how ordinary people can build and sustain a persistent movement of nonviolent resistance.

Some participants may take on specific logistical responsibilities to support the group. Even if you are not assigned one of these roles, it helps to know who is who. Recognize safety volunteers, legal observers/documentarians, and medics at your action. Respect their tasks, support them when asked, and remember that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

1. Volunteer Roles for NVDA

Offered here are descriptions of typical NVDA roles that contribute to logistical success, but this guidance is meant to be flexible. Familiarity with shared terminology and frameworks can help foster collaboration and build solidarity across a mass resistance movement, but this manual also recognizes and values diversity among nonviolent resistance groups. Different groups may organically develop distinct lexicons, innovative approaches, unique campaigns, and their own styles of action. Such diversity strengthens the layered network of nonviolent resistance groups our ultimate success will require. Each group must create a logistical framework consistent with their values, culture, and circumstances that supports the four core principles of nonviolent resistance: (1) withdrawal of consent to resist without violence, (2) in disciplined actions planned for safety, (3) deemed both ethically and strategically sound, and (4) as parts of sustained campaigns rooted in solidarity across broad coalitions.

More details about these roles can be found in Six Steps to A Safety Team, Appendix I: Detailed Safety Team Roles.

Organizers, Co-leads, and Coordinators

Every nonviolent resistance group and every NVDA begins with organizers. Organizers, co-leads, and coordinators set the goals, develop the plan, and make the strategic choices about time, place, and message. On the day of an action, they may take the lead in giving instructions, making adjustments, and calling the beginning or end of the event. In the best-organized NVDA, participants know who the organizers are, how to reach them, and how to follow their lead without confusion.

As for terminology, some groups will apply these terms interchangeably while others will follow a stricter pattern. Many groups prefer the title “co-lead” for all organizers, team leaders, and coordinators; its reinforcement of the safety rubric to work always in pairs or teams recommends its use highly. Other groups may use “team” nomenclature to similar effect. “Coordinator” sometimes designates a group leader focused on an area of the group’s work such as a specific campaign or area of ongoing logistics, or it may designate a role specific to a day of action. Successful nonviolent resistance requires individuals who are able and willing to take responsibility for organizing and growing groups, planning and implementing NVDA, sustaining long-term campaigns, and ultimately sharing accountability for the outcomes.

A note on leadership may be helpful here. Typically, in the context of community practice such as a nonviolent resistance movement, leaders may first emerge organically, but may then sometimes require intentional development. Effective group organizers understand that the ranks of leaders must grow with the movement. To facilitate that growth, they will seek, identify, and elevate individuals who demonstrate leadership skills by modeling healthy social participation, thinking strategically about the group, NVDA, and long-term campaigns, communicating their ideas effectively, and inspiring others. The most successful leaders are never jealous of rising talent because serious organizers are always looking for more help and trying to avoid the activist “burnout” phenomenon. Having a deep bench of capable leaders makes the movement more sustainable for the long haul.

Marshals and Safety Teams

The work of marshals, or safety volunteers, is integral to all NVDA. Their job is to help people participate safely, move through space together, and handle problems before they escalate. Marshals serve as the eyes and ears of organizers, reporting critical information back to team co-leads or coordinators. Marshals buffer interactions with police and counter-protesters, watch for hazards like traffic, and model calm and focused behavior. They are easy to identify by vests, armbands, or other markings, and they work in pairs or teams, always maintaining situational awareness. Please refer to the EPI NVDA Marshals Manual for a complete description of their duties and techniques.

Medics, First Aid Volunteers, and Emotional Support / Trauma Response Providers

Medics, first-aid providers, and emotional-support/trauma-response providers—like other safety volunteers—are essential to disciplined nonviolent resistance. The term “medic” typically refers to volunteers who are full-time or retired medical professionals, or are at least certified to provide first aid by the American Red Cross (ARC) or another certifying agency. Certification affirms medics have undergone hands-on training to provide frontline medical attention including “stop the bleeding,” CPR, and AED, and have passed certification tests on that material. For some NVDA, the medic may be stationed at a fixed location such as a well-marked “First Aid Tent” with access to a complete medical kit. Groups able to recruit volunteer medics can ensure participants that expert medical help is always on hand.

Additionally, this guidance recommends groups recruit volunteers who are not necessarily ARC-certified and, using training materials emphasizing NVDA participants’ most likely needs, train them to provide basic first aid during NVDA. Those most likely needs include minor cuts and scrapes, minor sprains, dehydration, and exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme weather, or very loud noise. These volunteers can roam the action in pairs carrying small portable first-aid kits customized for those issues most commonly arising at NVDA, as listed above. [A Basic First Aid for NVDA manual is under development.]

Legal Observers and Documentarians

In the context of NVDA, the term “legal observer” typically refers to a third-party actor from an outside group such as the National Lawyers Guild, respected for its neutrality and professionalism. The role of such an observer is to witness and document any incidents or situations that may be the subject of legal action in the future. Organizers are generally right to welcome such objective observers and instruct their own group’s volunteers to avoid interfering in any way with their work.

However, this guidance recognizes that sufficient numbers of trained and geographically well-situated third-party legal observers are unlikely to be readily available to a rapidly growing mass resistance movement now gaining momentum in cities and countryside alike. This insufficiency could make groups and individuals vulnerable to suspect claims of opponents, troublemakers, or law enforcement, and perhaps bring discredit to the entire movement. Accordingly, groups may benefit from training their own legal observers who apply the same knowledge and methods as third-party observers while ultimately remaining allegiant to the cause of the nonviolent resistance group or action.

Moreover, when a nonviolent resistance group confronts an opponent that weaponizes that group’s marginalization (e.g., the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power during the 20th-century AIDS crisis), deploying its own trained volunteers as additional eyewitnesses helps ensure the physical and legal safety of participants, maintain nonviolent discipline, and deepen solidarity—reinforcing core principles of nonviolent resistance.

Like third-party legal observers, the group’s legal observers do not take part in the action or visibly demonstrate in any way. They restrict their participation to observing law enforcement, counter-protesters, any escalated incident attached to the action or its participants, and ongoing risks such as traffic patterns. Legal observers generally position themselves at the edge of the action where they can easily observe and document interactions between the NVDA’s vanguard, counter-protesters, law-enforcement officers, passersby, and bystanders.

Like safety volunteers, legal observers must maintain situational awareness at all times, prepared to record or take notes as needed. Such recordings and notes must be suitable to present as evidence in court. This requirement creates a synchronicity with the role of documentarians, who are also trained to document interactions between protesters and police and counter-protesters.

To streamline team building, therefore, many groups may want to train legal observers and documentarians together and deploy them in pairs to share the work of observing and documenting incidents or activity potentially subject to legal action. [Guidance for groups choosing this approach is under development.]

Section III

Know Your Rights

Nonviolent resistance depends on knowledge and preparation. One of the most important areas of preparation is understanding your legal rights when participating in protest or other forms of nonviolent direct action (NVDA). Laws vary by state and municipality, but there are basic rights protected by the U.S. Constitution that apply to everyone in the United States. Knowing these rights—and how to exercise them calmly and effectively—can help keep you and others safe.

1. The Right to Assemble and Speak

The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, the press, religion, and assembly. That means you have the right to gather peacefully in public spaces and express your views without government interference. However, governments can impose certain “time, place, and manner” restrictions, such as requiring permits for marches or limiting amplified sound at certain hours.

If you plan a large march or rally that may block traffic, use sound equipment, or take place in a park or on a street, you may need a permit. Check your city’s procedures well in advance, and keep a copy of your permit on hand during the event. Spontaneous demonstrations responding to breaking news are often protected even without permits, but police may still direct participants to move for safety reasons.

2. The Right to Record

Courts have consistently upheld the public’s right to photograph and record police and other public officials performing their duties in public spaces, as long as you do not interfere with their work. Always remain calm and respectful. Do not physically obstruct officers. If ordered to stop recording, you may calmly state, “I am lawfully recording and not interfering.” Do not resist arrest if officers ignore your statement—note their names and badge numbers if possible and contact legal support later.

3. Interacting with Law Enforcement

• You have the right to remain silent. You cannot be punished for refusing to answer questions. To exercise this right, say clearly, “I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
• You have the right to ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
• You have the right to refuse a search. You can say, “I do not consent to a search.” Police may still pat you down if they suspect you are armed, but you can make your refusal clear for the record.
• If you are arrested, ask for a lawyer immediately. Do not sign or agree to anything without legal counsel. You have the right to make a local phone call—law enforcement cannot listen if you call a lawyer.

4. If You Are Stopped in a Vehicle

Drivers must show license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked. Passengers are not required to provide ID unless the officer reasonably suspects they have committed a crime. Keep your hands visible. You can record the interaction, provided you do not interfere.

5. If You Are Arrested or Detained

Stay calm. Do not resist, even if you believe the arrest is unlawful. Ask what you are being arrested for. Remember the names and badge numbers of officers and witnesses if possible. You have the right to remain silent and to speak to an attorney before answering any questions. Do not discuss the incident with others in custody or over the phone (except with your lawyer), as conversations may be recorded.

Memorize a legal hotline or the phone number of a trusted contact in case your phone is confiscated. Many protest organizers write a legal hotline number on their arm in permanent marker before an action.

6. Special Considerations for Immigrants and Other Vulnerable Communities

Immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and others who are frequently targeted by law enforcement may face additional risks. Non-citizens should consult an immigration lawyer before engaging in NVDA that could result in arrest. Ask whether participation could affect your immigration status or future applications.

Documented incidents of unequal treatment by police make it especially important for allies and organizers to prioritize safety planning, visible identification of marshals and legal observers, and solidarity practices that minimize exposure for those most at risk.

7. Resources

• American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): Know Your Rights – Protesters’ Rights
• National Lawyers Guild: Know Your Rights Materials and Legal Observer Program
• Right to Record Project: Guidelines on Recording Police Interactions
• Amnesty International USA: Safety During Protest (PDF)

Key Takeaways from Section III

• Your rights include freedom of speech, assembly, and press under the First Amendment.
• You have the right to remain silent and to ask for a lawyer if detained or arrested.
• You may record public officials performing their duties in public as long as you do not interfere.
• Stay calm, do not resist, and assert your rights clearly and peacefully.
• Know and support those in your community who face higher risks from law enforcement.

Section IV

De-escalation and Conflict Management

De-escalation is the practice of reducing tension and preventing harm during stressful or potentially volatile situations. In nonviolent direct action (NVDA), de-escalation is part of the discipline that keeps people safe and sustains the credibility of the movement. Every participant—especially marshals, safety volunteers, and organizers—should understand basic de-escalation techniques.

1. The Goal of De-escalation

The goal of de-escalation is not to “win” a confrontation but to prevent harm and maintain nonviolent discipline. When tensions rise, your objective is to keep everyone—including opponents and bystanders—safe enough to disengage without violence. This helps preserve the focus on the issue rather than the conflict itself.

2. Mindset and Preparation

• Stay calm and grounded. Breathe steadily. Speak slowly. Remember that your calm presence can influence others.
• Know your triggers. Anticipate what language, tone, or body posture could make you react defensively. Practice remaining neutral.
• Work in pairs. Always have a partner who can step in if emotions rise too high or if you need support.
• Use your body language intentionally. Keep your hands visible, posture relaxed, and facial expression neutral. Avoid pointing or crossing your arms.

3. Techniques for Interacting with Agitated Individuals

• Introduce yourself calmly. Use your name and role if relevant (“Hi, I’m part of the safety team”). This signals accountability and humanity.
• Listen first. Allow the person to speak without interruption. Sometimes just being heard lowers tension.
• Validate feelings without agreeing or arguing. Say things like, “I hear that you’re upset,” or “I can see this is really important to you.”
• Set boundaries respectfully. If someone moves too close or starts yelling, step back and say, “I want to hear you, but I need some space.”
• Redirect attention. If the conversation becomes unproductive, gently shift focus to the larger purpose of the action or invite the person to speak with a marshal or organizer.
• Know when to disengage. If a situation feels unsafe or unmanageable, back away and get help from other marshals or law enforcement if necessary.

4. Managing Confrontations with Counter-protesters

Counter-protesters may try to provoke reactions to discredit the movement or create viral moments. Maintain nonviolent discipline at all times:

• Do not engage in verbal arguments or physical contact.
• Assign marshals or safety volunteers to serve as a buffer zone between groups.
• Chant or sing together to keep focus on your message rather than on the confrontation.
• If someone crosses the line into harassment or assault, document the incident and report it to legal observers and organizers immediately.

5. Working with Law Enforcement During Escalations

While interactions with police vary widely by location and circumstance, the guiding principles remain the same: remain calm, follow instructions when legally required, and avoid physical confrontation. Marshals or designated police liaisons should communicate with officers on behalf of the group when possible.

• Use clear, factual language when addressing officers.
• Do not argue or make sudden movements.
• If ordered to disperse, calmly notify organizers and participants so everyone can leave together.
• Document interactions when it is safe and lawful to do so.

6. Post-Action Debrief and Emotional Care

After every NVDA, groups should hold a short debrief to discuss what went well, what could be improved, and whether anyone experienced distress or trauma. Psychological safety is part of physical safety. Encourage participants to talk about their experiences, offer peer support, and identify resources for counseling or trauma care if needed.

Key Takeaways from Section IV

• De-escalation is about preventing harm and maintaining focus on the cause, not about “winning.”
• Staying calm, listening, and validating feelings can quickly reduce tension.
• Always work in pairs and maintain relaxed, non-threatening body language.
• Do not engage with counter-protesters—focus on safety and solidarity instead.
• Debrief after every action to strengthen both safety and emotional resilience.

Section V

Sources

This manual is compiled from various sources, including the pers… encouraged to explore these sources to learn more. They include:

1. ACT UP New York. Action = Life: A Grassroots Guide to Direct A… Project: https://actuporalhistory.org/actions/action-life.html]
2. American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Know Your Rights: Demonstrations and Protests. New York: ACLU, updated 2021. https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights
3. Chenoweth, Erica, and Maria J. Stephan. Why Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict. New York: Columbia University Press, 2011.
4. Chicago Community Bond Fund. About Us / Resources. Chicago: CCBF. https://chicagobond.org
5. Civil Liberties Defense Center (CLDC). Know Your Rights Resources. Eugene, OR: CLDC. https://cldc.org
6. Deming, Barbara. Revolution and Equilibrium. New York: Grossman Publishers, 1968.
7. East Point Peace Academy. NVDA Training Outlines. Oakland, CA: East Point Peace Academy. https://eastpointpeace.org
8. Movement for Black Lives (M4BL). National Bail Fund Network Toolkit. https://www.communityjusticeexchange.org/nbfn-toolkit
9. National Lawyers Guild (NLG). Mass Defense Program. New York: NLG. https://www.nlg.org/massdefense/
10. Nonviolent Peaceforce. Training Resources. St. Paul, MN: Nonviolent Peaceforce. https://nonviolentpeaceforce.org
11. Sharp, Gene. From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation. Boston: The Albert Einstein Institution, 1993.
12. Sharp, Gene. The Politics of Nonviolent Action. Boston: Porter Sargent, 1973.
13. Sharp, Gene. Sharp’s Dictionary of Power and Struggle. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012.
14. War Resisters International (WRI). Handbook for Nonviolent Campaigns. 2nd ed. London: War Resisters International, 2014.