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Human Rights Day: 7 iconic protests of 2018 — and why they worked.

Today, December 10th, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights turns 70. Created by the United Nations in 1948, it is a cornerstone of international human rights law. It is a fundamental part of our understanding of the right of all people to things like life, liberty, security of person, freedom of religion, livelihoods, health, and so much more. 

In honour of this achievement (and of the trouble-making to be done to make this paper proclamation a reality) we’re taking a closer look at some of the most iconic protests of 2018. 

In no particular order (we love and were moved by them all), here seven iconic protests, one for each decade that people around the world have worked to protect the rights enshrined in this declaration. We've broken down some of the key reasons they were successful based on the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox.


MARCH FOR OUR LIVES

Photo by Rhododedrites.

When a gunman open-fired at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida in February, student survivors rose up to make sure that their fallen classmates could rest in power. Their goal is to win a policy agenda that means that not one more person is killed by senseless gun violence.

As many as two million people came together on March 24th in one of largest protests in American history. The display of the students’ leadership was an incredible (and indelible) reminder of the power young people have to create change. The student-founded group continues advocate to end gun violence and hold leaders accountable. “We will not stop our advocacy until we see the change we demand,” they vow.

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: This is an example of a successful mass street action. The young troublemakers who led the march also told a simple, emotional and authentic story, reframing gun control debates as a children’s rights issue. In doing so, they tapped into universal (deep) frames about safety and love for family shared by the majority of Americans. The bottom line here in terms of organizing? Anyone can (and must) act and anger works best when you have the moral high-ground. Want a methodology for telling great stories: Check out the story of self, us and now tool.

Learn more: marchforourlives.com


CREATIVE PROTESTS OVER THE ARREST OF SHAHIDUL ALAM

When Bangladeshi photojournalist Shahidul Alam was arrested in August, people in Bangladesh did not sit quietly. Thousands of high school students in Dhaka, the capital city, had taken to the streets the month before the arrest to demand improved road safety after two of their classmates were killed in a reckless driving incident by a public bus. Alam was arrested after covering students' protests against traffic laws in the country, posting content to his social media feeds and doing interviews in broadcast media. 

Students and allies protested with banners, graffiti art, exhibitions of Alam’s photos, performance art, the hashtag #FreeShahidul, and a public gathering entitled “Let democracy be free.” A number of high-profile influencers were engaged to speak out against his arrest and to urge the government to release him,  including Nobel Laureates, international thought leaders, international organizations, and well-known writers. Alam was subsequently released in late November.

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: The campaign used a number of tactics that created a powerful momentum to help free Shahidul. Artivism was a big part of this campaign. The use of a clear hashtag helped the story gain international momentum, as did media attention. Learn how to leverage different allies to put pressure on your target like this campaign did: tools like power mapping and spectrum of allies can help.

Learn more: Global Voices


GRETA THUNBERG’S SCHOOL STRIKE FOR CLIMATE ACTION 

Photo: Wikimedia Commons 

In September, when 15-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden went on a school strike to protest politicians’ failure to act on climate change, she made international headlines. “I am doing this because nobody else is doing anything. It is my moral responsibility to do what I can,” she said. Greta’s teacher joined her, saying, “Greta is a troublemaker, she is not listening to adults. But we are heading full speed for a catastrophe, and in this situation the only reasonable thing is to be unreasonable.” Preach. Since then, Greta has inspired students around the world and pulled no punches at the ongoing United Nations climate talks. Students have organized school walkouts and climate protests in Australia, Canada and more. 

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: Greta’s personal strike inspired global distributed actions, sending a clear message to politicians that business as usual when it comes to climate is unacceptable. Working on climate? It was also a reminder that everyone has ovaries of steel. Check out our overview of environmental justice. To solve climate change, cooperation is an undeniable requirement. We have 12 years, so coming together across party lines and activating international mechanisms to solve this problem is important. Think about how to do this with the onion tool.

Follow Greta on Twitter


ISRAELI WOMEN PROTEST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 

This month, as many as 20,000 Israeli women protested domestic violence in a nationwide strike, calling for more state action and funding to fix this injustice. Women stayed home from work, demonstrated in cities across the country, and created blockades. During protests, family and friends of the women carried symbolic coffin boxes and the road was smeared with red paint representing the blood of victims of violence. In Tel Aviv, 24 pairs of red shoes were laid out in honour of the 24 women killed by domestic violence this year. “Bibi, wake up, our blood is not cheap,” protesters near Jerusalem chanted, referencing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. A moment of silence was held for the 24 women and girls this year. 

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: The protest were a remarkably poignant example of an artistic vigil that made the invisible visible. This is also a great example of how to use general strike and distributed actions in a coordinated way. Of course, at the heart of this lies feminist theory, as women’s lives should be valued equally and deserve justice accordingly. With a clear funding goal and policy requests, the campaign showed some great use of the SMART objectives methodology.

Learn more: Haaretz


ANTI-PIPELINE RESISTANCE IN CANADA & ABROAD

Photo: Greenpeace / Tim Aubrey

In the aftermath of Standing Rock, where protesters were resisting Energy Transfer Partners’ Dakota Access Pipeline, a pipeline battle brewing in Canada reached new heights. Indigenous communities in Canada are on the frontlines of the fight, resisting the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline in court, as well as on the land. Water Protectors and Land Defenders have built tiny houses on the pipeline route, erected a traditional watch house to guard against construction, and partnered with environmentalists from Greenpeace Canada to get in the way of an oil tanker using a 12-person, 36-hour blockade. The resistance made international headlines and inspired activists in the UK and across Europe to take action in solidarity by demanding that international banks stop financing the pipeline.

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: All of these resistance activities are phenomenal examples of different civil disobedience strategies (the banner hang and bridge blockade an occupation, or almost temporary autonomous zone, around the watch house and tiny houses). Decolonization remains a crucial theory to understand this resistance. You can unravel the mystery of what power structures are invisibly propping up your target (as the pipeline campaign did with financial actors) using the pillars of power methodology. If you’re doing a big, high-stake action, make sure your action logic is sound.

Learn more: Coast Protectors, Sacred Trust, Tiny House Warriors, Greenpeace


HANDMAIDS PROTESTS

Photo: Nadine Bloch

In September, Beautiful Trouble’s own Nadine Bloch, and her daughter, Margot, dressed as Handmaids and got arrested to protest (now) U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Why? Bloch points out that he “has shown he doesn’t support a woman’s right to choose and doesn’t believe in birth control” among many other issues. This created an opportunity to made a powerful symbol out of the Handmaid’s Tale, a dystopian novel and television show in which women are subjugated under a theocratic government and “handmaids” are forced to bear children for infertile elite families. Handmaids protests have popped up around the world as authoritarian and right-wing groups come out of the woodwork. Together, they have sent powerful messages.

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: This is a great example of how to free ourselves from the “spectacle” of capitalism and its related hegemonies, as well as how to make use of “ethical spectacle” and pop culture in a subversive way. These protests held a mirror up to society; the Handmaid costumes, by their presence alone, imply a warning about the road on which approving Kavanaugh could put the country. As narrative power analysis tell us, we live in a world shaped by stories. Don't underestimate their power. And, remember, when using theatre techniques, pay attention to the risks, and consider that if arrest is likely, be sure to organize jail solidarity or support.

Learn more: Handmaids' Tale


PHINDILE NKUMAH’S POWERFUL USE OF NUDITY

In November, South African young woman Phindile Nkumah stood before the country’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and disrobed. Why? She was protesting the inadequate dispensation of justice for sexual violence survivors by revealing the physical scars on her own body. Nkrumah, a gang rape survivor, required several surveys to heal her body, but it continues to be a lifelong journey. She spoke at the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Summit, where women shared their stories of surviving sexual violence. “The South African legal system never protected me. I had to be the one to prove I was raped, those guys never had to prove anything,” she said.

From the Beautiful Trouble Toolbox: Nudity is a powerful vehicle for storytelling and resistance (see also this story from Uganda). We live our life in our bodies, they’ve seen it all. In many ways, Nkumah’s action blends artistic vigil with bearing witness to really bring the issue home in a deeply emotional way. A powerful example of choosing tactics that support your strategy. By not dressing like a protester (or dressing at all), it is possible to show that your issue is a very human one, applying to everyone and not just a radical few. Another tactic used here is media-jacking, taking advantage of the media present on a related issue to divert media attention to your message.

Learn more: Global Citizen, The Daily Maverick 

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Beautiful Trouble

creating tools, trainings, and revolution.

Beautiful Trouble

creating tools, trainings, and revolution.

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