As a long-time activist, I have understood the theory of non-violent action for many years.  I have studied the Greensboro lunch counter sit-ins and the teachings of Cesar Chavez.  Only recently, however, have I come to understand and fully embrace the practice of non-violent action and conflict resolution.

Out of curiosity, I went to the Occupy Los Angeles camp to attend, for the first time, a General Assembly.  On this particular night, there were rumors circulating that the LAPD was planning to shut down the camp.  The air was electric with excitement and fear.  Different committees – legal, non-violence, civil disobedience – were coordinating LAPD raid response teams.  A friend recognized me and asked if I would join her Non-Violence Monitor committee.  Because of our relationship and my desire to maintain my activist street cred, I agreed.  We walked to the side of the General Assembly, and she handed to me a pink t-shirt with the words “Non Violence Monitor” written on back and front in black ink.  She then explained my duties: if the police did come to shut down the camp, and any Occupy LA members confronted the police, I was to place my body between the protesters and the police and proceed to de-escalate the confrontation by appealing to the protesters to cease the confrontation.  Upon hearing these instructions, my heart sank; I did not want to do what she was asking.  In fact, I wanted to walk away from her.  Only saving face as an activist kept me in place. 

The police did arrive and set up police lines around the perimeter.  Police officers armed with guns, , rubber bullets, tear gas canisters and night sticks surrounded the park.  In short order, protesters formed their own lines facing the officers, taunting and yelling at them.  Most of the protesters’ comments were benign, and they did not lunge forward in any threatening manner, until one did.

Because I had agreed to do a job and am a long-time activist, I knew I had to follow through.  I stepped between a young Latino protester and an Officer.  I explained to the protester that Occupy LA is a non-violent movement and that any individual violence would reflect badly on the group.  Moreover, we did not want to give LAPD an excuse to commit violence on the group.  This rational calmed him down and he stepped away from the Officer.  The exchange had several repercussions; it relieved the tension for the Officer and for the protester.  As for myself, I felt relieved, but, even stronger than that, I felt powerful.  The resolution of conflict in a thoughtful and non-violent manner was as powerful feeling as I have ever known.  What I felt was not a power over people or a power to hurt others; rather, it was a power that empowers everyone.

The confidence I felt was needed later in the most dangerous incident of the night.  A young woman was upset that she was not permitted to enter the camp to retrieve her belongings.  She lunged at an Officer and he reacted by shoving back with his night stick.  Protesters and other Officers quickly gathered at the scene.  Another non-violence monitor and I jumped between the Officer and young woman.  The action stopped the assault, but tensions were very high.  The Officers were yelling at the protesters to step back, and several Protesters – the young woman in particular – were determined to lunge forward as soon as we got out of the way.  In a remarkable act of courage, my fellow monitor informed the Officer that he would have to hit, her,the monitor, rather that the young woman.  She then turned to the young woman and spoke to her in low soothing tones.  Other monitors and I held hands and formed a protective circle around the group of agitated protesters.  We explained to them the importance of non-violence to the success of the movement, and they soon dispersed from the scene.  My heart was beating wildly and I was afraid; however, I again had the feeling of remarkable power.  It was transformative. The experience taught me a lesson about the incredible power of non-violent conflict resolution.  Most of the protesters were bigger and stronger than me, and the Officers were equipped with lethal weapons.  I learned that night, however, that non-violence the most powerful weapon.