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HWN Suggests

The Problem with Protesting Violence with Violence

Some scholars argue that violence, strategically applied, has helped advance rights for workers, women, racial minorities and other groups. Yes, and violence helped create United States of America, end slavery here, overcome the Nazis, and so on. I get that. Violence can be just, and even necessary, for example, if it seeks to overcome greater violence. But this reasoning has perpetuated war and other forms of large-scale, institutional, sanctioned violence, including the military-style policing now plaguing the U.S. That’s why I want my fellow progressives to renounce all forms of violence, small-scale and large-scale. That’s our best hope for creating a truly just, free peaceful world.

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Featured

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My research shows that polarization – the extent to which people dislike members of the opposing party – is a key driver. Today political polarization, as reflected by the ratings Americans give to the political parties, continues to be at its highest level since political scientists began using the measure in 1964.

Articles of Interest

Speaking and Protesting in America

Protests have long been an essential part of American life, employed to draw attention to critical issues, events, and injustices. Ranging from peaceful marches to powerful acts of civil disobedience, protests can be found in nearly every political and social movement of the past century from the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s to anti-war protests of the 2000s. Today, protests remain relevant—providing essential ways to speak out on political issues and injustices.

The power of protest in the US

Similar to past successful protest movements, demonstrators have expanded their efforts beyond political rallies to express broader discontent and participate in economic boycotts.

A wave of unrest is coming. Here’s how to avert some of it

Soaring food and fuel prices are adding to pre-existing grievances.

Crime and Violence

Any person can be affected by crime and violence either by experiencing it directly or indirectly, such as witnessing violence or property crimes in their community or hearing about crime and violence from other residents.

Do peaceful protests do any good? How about the more violent ones?

I have concluded that peaceful and violent riots do work a good part of the time, and are a way to effectuate change. They are not the only way but are needed. I totally dislike the violent outbreaks, but if things have to change for moral or political reasons or to protect citizens' rights, then marches and protests riots are necessary. Protests are a symbol of American democracy in action.

How public service announcements reduced violence against women

You might think PSAs are cheesy — but they appear to work!

How violent protests against police brutality in the ’60s and ’90s changed public opinion

The backlash to unrest in the ’60s gave the country Richard Nixon, one study found. But we don’t know if that will apply today.

How Violent Protests Change Politics

I would say that nonviolent protests can be very effective if they are able to get media attention, and that there is a very strong relationship between media coverage and public concern about whatever issues those protesters are raising.

Mass Violence Is a Public Health Crisis

Mass violence and domestic terrorism comprise a major public health crisis in America.

Myths and Realities: Understanding Recent Trends in Violent Crime

The recent rise in crime is extraordinarily complex. Policymakers and the public should not jump to conclusions or expect easy answers.

Protesting is as important as voting

Even if you believe voting to be the most effective way to produce change, there is still plenty of proof that protests alter voting behaviors, shift the attitudes of marginal voters, and mobilize many previously disengaged voters.

Public Health Violence Prevention: Supporting Law Enforcement

Public health uses a prevention approach to address issues related to violence, whereas the criminal justice field traditionally relies on a more reactive approach to address violence.

Public Violence Dominates The Media, Domestic Violence Often Goes Unnoticed

Increased attention has been focused on violence in public places. It is now nearly commonplace to hear and read of devastating school violence. We are becoming accustomed to reports of people heavily armed storming into public places ranging from daycare centers to places of worship, firing off a storm of bullets. Reports of hate-related violence are appearing all too frequently.

The Age of Mass Protests: Understanding an Escalating Global Trend

We are living in an age of global mass protests that are historically unprecedented in frequency, scope, and size.

The Causes of Public Violence: Situational "versus" Other Factors in Drinking Related Assaults

The research literature on violence gives very different accounts of the etiology of such behaviour. Some accounts place a stress upon the broader structural origins of violence, regarding it as the outcome of some general feature of our society and culture, such as inequalities of power or material well being (for example, Braithwaite 1979).

The History of Violence as a Public Health Issue

Violence is now clearly recognized as a public health problem, but just 30 years ago the words “violence” and “health” were rarely used in the same sentence. Several important trends contributed to a growing recognition and acceptance that violence could be addressed from a public health perspective.

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‘Home is the most dangerous place for women,’ but private and public violence are connected

Research shows that women and girls’ fear of crime is more often about the threat of public violence than violence by men they know well. Women are taught from a young age that it is “stranger danger” that must be feared. Therefore, while learning early to ensure their own protection from unknown males, women and girls are increasingly at risk from men they know.

Resources

Futures Without Violence

Futures Without Violence is a health and social justice nonprofit with a simple mission: to heal those among us who are traumatized by violence today – and to create healthy families and communities free of violence tomorrow.

Peace Over Violence

Building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence.

Center for Public Violence

The Center for Public Violence was founded to address this issue that haunts so many in our communities and scars the fabric of their souls. Restorative solutions to community trauma caused by public violence must begin at the grassroots level with leadership from local religious and human services organizations in collaboration with law enforcement and other first responders.

Protect the Protest

Protest is an invaluable way to speak truth to power. Throughout history, protests have been the driving force behind some of the most powerful social movements, exposing injustice and abuse, demanding accountability and inspiring people to keep hoping for a better future.