toad.social is one of the many independent Mastodon servers you can use to participate in the fediverse.
Mastodon server operated by David Troy, a tech pioneer and investigative journalist addressing threats to democracy. Thoughtful participation and discussion welcome.

Administered by:

Server stats:

297
active users

#nonviolent

0 posts0 participants0 posts today
Continued thread

The grants sent millions of dollars to organizations that support #intervention programs for #nonviolent youth offenders; programs to avert #opioid-related deaths in #Newark; programs aimed at identifying community-based approaches to preventing #HateCrimes against #Arab, #Jewish & #Asian Americans; & a confidential hotline run by the National Center for #Victims of #Crime to inform crime victims about their rights.

Continued thread

State by State Pending and recently passed #AntiProtestLaws: #WestVirginia - Part 2

HB 3135: New penalties for #protesters who block #streets and #sidewalks

Would create new penalties for protesters who block streets, sidewalks, and other public passageways. Under the bill, someone who obstructs a highway, street, sidewalk or “other place used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances,” whether alone or with others, commits a misdemeanor, punishable by at least $500 and one month in jail. A second or subsequent offense would be a felony, punishable by at least $1,000 and at least three months and up to three years in prison. The bill defines “obstruct” to include conduct that makes passage “unreasonably inconvenient.” As such, protesters on a sidewalk who were deemed to have made it “unreasonably inconvenient” for pedestrians to pass could face jail terms. A substantially similar bill was introduced as HB 5446 in 2024.

Full bill text:
wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/

Status: pending

Introduced 4 Mar 2025.

Issue(s): Traffic Interference

HB 2757: Potential "#terrorism" charges for #NonviolentProtesters

Would create several new, sweeping “terrorism” offenses that could cover nonviolent protesters. One new offense, “terrorist violent #MassAction,” is defined to include “violent protests” and “riots” that “appear intended” to coerce or intimidate groups, governments, or societies. The bill provides that participation in a “terrorist violent mass action” constitutes an “terrorist act,” and any entity that uses such actions “to advance its agenda” is a “terrorist group.” “Violent protest” is not defined in the bill or elsewhere in the law, nor does the bill require that a person individually commit any act of violence or property damage to be culpable of “terrorist violent mass action.” As such, someone who peacefully participates in a #nonviolent but #rowdy protest where a few individuals commit #PropertyDamage could conceivably face “terrorism” charges. Likewise, a #NonprofitGroup involved in organizing or supporting such a protest “to advance its agenda” could be deemed a “#TerroristOrganization” under the bill. Individuals and organizations not directly involved in such a protest could also face felony “terrorism” charges for providing protesters with “material support”—broadly defined by the bill as “any property, tangible or intangible, or service.” The bill also creates a new felony “terrorism” offense for “actions… taken for political reasons to bar other persons from exercising their freedom of movement, via foot or any other conveyance.” As written, that could cover a large, peaceful march that even temporarily stops traffic. Meanwhile, the bill provides complete immunity for people who “injure perpetrators or supporters of perpetrators” while attempting to “escape” such “terrorism.” This provision would seem to eliminate consequences for acts of violence against protesters by people whose movement has been blocked by a protest, including drivers who hit protesters with their cars. The bill also creates new felony “threatening terrorism” offenses for a person or group that "for political reasons blockades property containing critical infrastructure,” or that “trespasses for political reasons onto property containing critical infrastructure.” As such, nonviolent protesters who block a road to a pipeline or enter onto pipeline property could face “threatening terrorism” charges, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. A nearly identical bill was proposed in 2024 (HB 4994) and 2023 (HB 2916).

Full text of bill:
wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/

Status: pending

Introduced 21 Feb 2025.

Issue(s): #ProtestSupporters or Funders, #DriverImmunity, Infrastructure, Riot, Terrorism, #TrafficInterference, Trespass

#FirstAmendment #CriminalizingDissent
#Authoritarianism #Fascism #Clampdown #CriminalizingProtest
#CharacteristicsOfFascism #USPol #AntiProtestLaws #PipelineProtests

#Pranksters vs. #Autocrats : Why #DilemmaActions Advance #Nonviolent #Activism

Author(s) Popovic, Srdja, McClennen, Sophia A.

Abstract
The Lawrence & Lynne Brown #Democracy Medal, presented by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at #PennState , recognizes outstanding individuals, groups, & organizations that produce innovations to further democracy in the USA or around the world.

> I was just introduced to this #book. Does anyone have any commentary or feedback?

ecommons.cornell.edu/items/8e9

- #teslatakedown
'Rep. Jasmine Crockett joined a group that is organizing a nationwide protest at 277 Tesla dealerships in the US and over 500 worldwide on March 29. She also told people to sell their Tesla cars and stock: “I am truly here for very selfish reasons, starting with on March 29 it’s my birthday and all I want to see happen on my birthday is for Elon to be taken down.” “Obviously, everything that I am promoting is non-violent.” #NonViolent

substack.com/home/post/p-15947 #march29 #Swasticar

Continued thread

Just wrote to my rep Pramila Jayapal to join the congressional representatives to demand immediate release of Mahmoud Khalil. Especially in light of the arrest of Leqaa Kordia and revoking the visa of Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian citizen and doctoral student at Columbia University, it is clear the reckless administration and the Secretary of State have violated the Constitution and engaged in criminal abduction of persons lawful activity in the US.
#Palestine #protest #nonviolent #mahmoudkhalil

Continued thread

More details here: man on #BigBen livestreamed his climb. He is protesting the arrest of the #Filton18, after their action at #Elbit Systems, #Israel’s largest weapons company. palestineaction.org/not-guilty
Repression of #nonviolent protest is accelerating under #KeirStarmer, with the recent arrest of more than 70 protesters incl. Organisers of #Palestine Solidarity marches, #JeremyCorbyn and The Crow actor Khalid Abdalla last month theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/m

Interesting read, this #BBC article that, based on research by Erica #Chenoweth (Harvard), states that:

- civil disobedience is not only the moral choice; it is also the most powerful way of shaping world #politics – by a long way.

- it takes (only) around 3.5% of the population actively participating to ensure serious political change.

- #nonviolent campaigns led to political change 53% of the time compared to 26% for violent #protests.

bbc.com/future/article/2019051

Thanks @jwcph, for the link.

BBC · The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the worldBy David Robson

@cbsnews

U.S. sending #nonviolent, "low-risk" #migrants to Guantanamo, despite vow to detain "the worst" there.

cbsnews.com/news/guantanamo-ba

(ed: Look he & Elon lied.
Fascist Grifting requires human cannon fodder - scapegoats. Can't wait until Guantanamo bay is handed over to $GEO Corp the for profit 🙄 💸)

“Historic sentencing appeal at Royal Courts of Justice for 16 Just Stop Oil prisoners”

by Kate Bermingham in The Canary @thecanaryuk

“The prisoners include the ‘Whole Truth Five’, sentenced for four to five years each for participating in a zoom call about temporarily blocking the M25. These are the longest prison sentences ever handed down for nonviolent civil disobedience in the UK”

thecanary.co/uk/analysis/2025/

Canary · Lord Walney 16 protesters appeal draconian sentencesIt was a defining moment for the climate movement - and the Canary’s Kate Bermingham was on the ground as events unfolded