As a person who has been studying for twenty years In terms of nonviolent movements in war zones, I see many similarities between these foreign movements and recent movements organized across the United States. The communities I studied — from Colombia to the Philippines to Syria — offer Americans lessons in surviving the dangers they have instinctively identified over the past year.
These experiences show that it is possible to protect our neighbors. Violence can bring fear, isolation and feelings of powerlessness, but solidarity can overcome fear, and non-violence and discipline are key to denying a powerful excuse for further escalation and harm.
But at the same time, the deaths of Americans Renee Good and Alex Pretti, nonviolent movement and killed by immigration agent In Minneapolis, taking clear action to protect neighbors takes courage, and the prospects are not always certain.
Here are the core lessons I’ve learned from the people and groups I’ve studied.
1. Organizing is the first step
Community organizing is the act of establishing social ties, developing decision-making procedures, sharing information, and coordinating activities.
In Colombia I found this A more organized community Local councils are dynamic and, when caught between heavily armed insurgents, paramilitaries and state forces, are better able to protect themselves by avoiding or opposing violence. These organizations provide reassurance to the undecided and encourage more people to join.
The United States has a strong civic culture and organizational history that stretches back long before the Civil Rights Movement, and well known in minnesota Because of its strong social cohesion. It’s no wonder so many Minnesotans, as well as Chicagoans, Angelenos and other Americans, are organizing to aid their neighbors and demand justice.
There is no doubt that organizational behavior is powerful in its own right. I found that insights from armed conflict combatants revealed this. A former rebel I interviewed in Colombia quoted to me an aphorism from Aristotle and Shakespeare: “One swallow does not make a summer”—meaning that there is security in numbers.
A group of people can single-handedly change the calculations and behavior of those with weapons and deter them. That’s why there are a lot of visual effects now ICE agents leave Scenario when the number of community members exceeds.
2. Adopt non-violent strategies
Organizing also enables communities to adopt non-violent methods of accountability and protection without exacerbating conflict.
These strategies are less political or partisan because there is usually a consensus on promoting security, making it difficult for politicians to object. Although recently Poll on presidential approval Immigration policy remains divided along partisan lines, and ICE is generally unpopular, with most people opposed to its aggressive tactics.
Americans have adopted many nonviolent strategies. They set up early warning networks, just like communities in Democratic Republic of the Congo To protect against attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army rebel group.
Whether through Whistle or WhatsApp, such a network of protectors share information with each other to identify threats and help each other.
Communities in places such as the Philippines have also established safe zones or “Heping District” to promote their desire to keep residents safe from violence. This is similar to US declares “sanctuary cities” on immigration issues. Communities can also exert different types of pressure on armed aggressors. While protest is the most obvious way, dialogue is also possible. Stress can take the following forms persuade and humiliate Make belligerent agents think twice and exercise restraint. In the United States, protectors have shown great creativity in applying pressure. Grandmothers and priests are visible symbols who exert influence through moral and spiritual status. use Humor and Farce – Like the protesters wearing frog suits – Helps ease tensions. It may not always seem like it, but reputation and concerns about liability are important, even for bullies. that’s why ICE agents don’t want to be seen committing violence. Hence the wearing of masks, the grabbing of cellphones from protesters, and misleading statements from officials about violent clashes. In the “fog of war”, powerful actors may seek to distort facts, mislead and stigmatize communities and individuals, and create excuses for greater use of force. In Colombia and Afghanistan, armed groups falsely accused individuals of being enemy collaborators. The community solved this problem by Conduct your own research Those who are accused can then be vouched for by community elders. In the US, Americans are recording cellphone videos and gathering community evidence to fight back Official lies, such as domestic terrorism charges – and future efforts to pursue accountability. Finally, it is the so-called “accompaniment” is Equally important. For example, international humanitarian staff and volunteers are embedded in communities such as: as colombiaGuatemala and South Sudan, letting armed groups know that they are being watched and acting as unarmed bodyguards for human rights defenders. In the United States, volunteers, citizens, and religious leaders use their less vulnerable social positions to support threatened noncitizens, even position yourself The relationship between the immigration agent and the person who may be at risk. People from all over the country also sent messages and went to support Cities and states where we do business. However, this can have consequences even for those who believe they are unlikely to be attacked. September 19, 2025 ICE Agents Shoot a priest While protesting at an ICE detention facility in Chicago, he was hit in the head with a pepper ball. Taking action to protect yourself, others and your community can come with risks. But civil society has power, too, and many communities in war zones in other countries have outlived their oppressors. Americans are learning and doing what civilians in war zones around the world have been doing for decades, while also writing their own stories in the process. Oliver Kaplanassociate professor of international studies, University of Denver This article is reproduced from dialogue Licensed under Creative Commons. read Original article.
3. Set up a safe zone
4. Find the facts
stand up for others
