"People want peace so much that one day governments had better get out of their way and let them have it" -DWIGHT D EISENHOWER, 1959 BLOCKADE THE BOMBMAKERS CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE CAMPAIGN HANDBOOK $1.00 Introduction The first step in writing this handbook was going back to the thick file of old handbooks and reading through the recent history of nonviolent civil disobedience actions. The handbooks dramatically show the changing consciousness within the nonviolent movement. The growing awareness of the connections between nonviolence and feminism has greatly expanded the understanding and practice of nonviolent action. Addressing issues of racism and other forms of oppression has also deepened the dialogue within the movement. Some of the sections in this handbook are adapted from the old handbooks. Where gaps existed we've tried to fill them in. There will probably be others remaining for the next handbook collective. As we write this handbook, we are acutely aware of the many situations in the world, which we don't address directly here, that threaten and take lives every day. These situations serve to affirm our deep commitment to our demands of unilateral disarmament, nonintervention and redirecting resources to human needs as well as to underline the need to take action by organizing for and participating in the June 14 Blockade. It is clear that the United States is waging war right now in Central America. The situations in El Salvador, Guatemala and the threat to Nicaragua only reinforce the importance of our taking action now. The foreign policy of the U.S. continues to profit the very rich and powerful while stripping everyone else of self-determination, resources and money. This is also true of the situation in the U.S. Fundamental rights of people to control their own lives such as reproductive freedom, lesbian and gay rights and voting rights, are being threatened and taken away. The budget cuts at home have drastically hurt virtually every aspect of life, especially for women, people of color and working people. Programs like social security, food stamps. nutrition, education, jobs and job training are cut or eliminated to feed the Pentagon and the spiralling arms race. The erosion of basic human rights and the potential for nuclear destruction are not just problems in the United States but unfortunately are realities in many countries including the Soviet Union, France, Britain, and China. There is now a ray of hope in the emergence of an unprecedented worldwide popular outcry against the arms race. We join with those around the world who stand for peace and justice and an end to all oppression. BULK PRICES $1.00 each CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE CAMPAIGN 2-25, 50t each (plus 20% postage) 339 Lafayette Street, New York, NY 10012 26 or more, 25¢ each (plus 15% postage) (212) 777-4737 Special thanks to WIN Magazine for use of its facilities for the production of this handbook. SPONSORS Coordinated by the War Resisters League in coopera- This handbook was produced with initial loans and tion with Catholic Peace Fellowship, Clergy and Laity contributions from: Brandywine Peace Community. Concerned, Columbia Pax Christi, Fellowship of Catholic Peace Fellowship, Central Philadelphia Reconciliation, Friends Peace Committee, Kairos Monthly Meeting, Friends Peace Committee, Green- Community, Long Island SHAD Alliance, Mobiliza- street Monthly Meeting, Long Island SHAD Alliance. tion for Survival, New Jersey SEA Alliance, NYC New England War Tax Resistance, Philadelphia Mobilization for Survival, NYC SHAD Alliance, WTR/WRL, Thomas Merton Center and the War Peacesmith House, Westchester Peoples' Action Resisters League. Coalition, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom and endorsed by Boston Mobilization People who worked on this handbook: for Survival, Diablo Canyon Task Force (Alliance for Peg and Belle Averill, Steve Banks, Margaret Berga- Survival), Jonah House, Knolls Action Project, mini, Riley Bostrum, Julia Cochrane, Kate Donnelly, LEPOCO, Students Against Militarism (Columbia), Ed Hedemann, Holly Hodge, Thaddeus Jurczynski, Syracuse Peace Council, Thomas Merton Center, Sharon Kleinbaum, Lauri Lowell, John Miller, Esther Washington Peace Center. (In formation, list as of Pank, Susan Pines, Murray Rosenblith and John March 21, 1982.) Seward. Cover design and drawing by Peg Averill 2 June 14 CD Campaign Handbook ontents Introduction Civil Disobedience and SSD II 4 Nuclear Diplomacy as Usual Feminism........... ............................................10 Racism 12 Nonviolence 14 Scenario/Guidelines ........... ....... ... 17 Maps of Missions 19 Map of Midtown Area 20 Legal 22 Noncooperation 28 Representing Yourself 30 Doing Time 31 Affinity Groups and Support 33 Consensus Decision Making 35 Overcoming Male Oppression 37 Photo Captions and Credits 38 Affinity Group Sign Up Sheet 39 Calendar Back Cover June 14 CD Campaign Handbook 3 Civil Disobedience and SSD II The Second United Nations Special Session on Dis- armament. However, it will provide a forum for national armament (SSD II) is expected to be the largest and most representatives to give their views on the world situation inclusive world meeting on disarmament in history. As a and the need for disarmament. result, peace groups and human needs organizations The first Special Session on Disarmament (SSD I), around the world have planned numerous activities held in June of 1978, was initiated by the Non-Aligned during the time of SSD H, June 7 to July 9, 1982. Caucus (composed of most of the African and Asian The organizing of disarmament activities in New York nations of the world). SSD I gave worldwide prominence City was initiated by the Mobilization for Survival in the to disarmament and developed the "best detailed state- spring of 1981. A full-fledged Campaign came together ment on disarmament ever endorsed by the world October 31. Separate task forces were set up to organize community" (Homer Jack). Unfortunately, very little of the religious events, a massive rally, international activities 129-paragraph Final Document has been implemented. and the civil disobedience. Only the convention against inhumane weapons has In February these task forces split into independent been signed. Nevertheless, "Disarmament Week, (last organizing efforts. The Civil Disobedience Task Force week in October) which was advocated by SSD I, is being became the Civil Disobedience Campaign and has widely observed. formed the following task forces of its own: literature, During SSD II, delegations will come from most of the training, handbook, finances, fundraising, outreach, 156 member states of the UN. Many of these delegations legal and personnel. Additional task forces include will be led by foreign ministers, and a few by heads of media and support. state. Several hundred journalists are expected to To clarify where it stands on disarmament, the Civil attend. Disobedience Campaign has developed the following Most of the SSD II will be devoted to debate. Decisions demands: will be made by consensus, but votes will be taken if necessary. After the first two weeks of general debate, Recognizing that the people of the world can no longer there will be a review of the SSD I decisions, followed by afford the luxury of endlessly discussing how or when to discussion and possible adoption of the Comprehensive stop the arms race, we declare that disarmament must Program of Disarmament, then consideration of initia- now go beyond talk to action; therefore, we demand that tives from member states, an exploration of how to every country: improve the effectiveness of disarmament machinery, • disarm unilaterally, starting with nuclear weapons and how best to mobilize world public opinion. The last • stop proliferation of nuclear weapons by dismantling days of SSDII will be spent on adoption of the final nuclear reactors documents. The "success or failure" of the Session will depend • redirect resources from the military to meet human critically on the world political climate. An agreement on needs some disarmament measure (e.g., the Comprehensive • not intervene militarily in the affairs of other countries Test Ban Treaty) before SSD II begins, or the announce- ment by a nation of a giant step toward disarmament, • announce at the Special Session on Disarmament would create a good climate for the Session. —a significant step to be taken immediately towards For the SSD II itself to be successful, there must be disarmament more than a reordering of the proposals from SSD I. The —a plan to dismantle nuclear weapons and dispose of number of new, creative proposals, the adoption of the nuclear wastes, Comprehensive Program of Disarmament with stages and timelines, the establishment of a "voluntary fund," INSIDE SSD II or the calling for a third SSD or a World Disarmament Conference, would each be considered positive steps by Educational and protest activities are being organized the UN community. If a "voluntary fund" is authorized, during the Special Session on Disarmament, not because there may be pledges at SSD II totalling anywhere from anyone expects disarmament can be achieved then and several hundred thousand to fifteen million dollars. there, but because SSD II will provide an excellent opportunity to influence public opinion and pressure governments. What follows is a brief description of the WHY CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE? Special Session itself, excerpted from an article by Civil disobedience events traditionally involve smaller Homer Jack in Disarmament Times (777 UN Plaza, New numbers of people than rallies and marches organized at York, NY 10017). the same time. This is because most people who can The SSD II, scheduled from June 7 to July 9 at the UN attend a Saturday rally simply are either unable to take General Assembly in New York City, cannot achieve dis- time off from their jobs or school for a Monday civil dis- 4 June 14 CD Campaign Handbook obedience. are concerned that an arrest may jeopardize support for those within the UN who truly favor dis- their job, or have a fear of arrest and imprisonment.