Any interesting non violent protest ideas? (lemmy.wtf)

submitted 2 days ago by mental_block@lemmy.wtf to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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Wondering what some ideas in the theme of malicious compliance, chaotic good or even legal non-compliance for protesting?

Stuff like chaining yourselves to a tree or purposeful graffiti has been there in the past but I'm curious about yer experiences/stories.

I recall there were some issues with household waste collections and the folks, unfortunately, would stuff their rubbish into public bins. Was wondering why everyone couldn't just dump their bags outside a politicians house who could have power to affect change.

There were some inspiring ones here: https://nonviolencenews.org/2025/01/03/top-10-creative-actions-in-2024-nonviolence-news-special-report/

Stuff like that.. any ideas?

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[-] mental_block@lemmy.wtf 3 points 2 days ago

Thank you, didn't know about them.

I'm not advocating for pacifism but maybe something in a same vein as a viral satirist cartoon can be considered a protest. A public performance, coordinated with a vision, that doesn't always slide into "looting and fighting". As you say, we should be ready for it but it's a last resort since the opponents want the protestors to you turn violent to discredit and ignore.

Easy examples like Boston Tea Party, Singing Revolution or Salt March.

I would love a month long general strike but would accept random mildly coordinated actions towards a greater purpose.

[-] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 days ago

The biggest issue is that non-violent protest doesn't really change anything. They can be useful for organizations to practice and develop logistics and mobilization, but not as a direct method of change. Lady Izdihar made a great graphic on the Leninist theory of revolution:

This is how we need to organize for actual change. Non-violent protest is helpful in practicing revolution, but not in achieving change itself.

this post was submitted on 29 Jan 2026

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