Protest Strategy Quotes

“Another factor that enhances participation in nonviolent campaigns is the festival-like atmosphere that often accompanies nonviolent rallies and demonstrations -- as exemplified by the recent nonviolent campaigns in Serbia, Ukraine, Lebanon, and Egypt -- where concerts, singing and street theatre attracted large numbers of people (particularly young people) interested in having fun while fighting for a political cause. Humor and satire, which have featured prominently in nonviolent campaigns (less so in armed campaigns), have helped break down barriers of fear and promote solidarity among victims of state-sponsored oppression.”
― Erica Chenoweth (Author)Maria J. Stephan (Author)

“The more diverse the participation in the resistance -- in terms of gender, age, religion, ethnicity, ideology, profession, and socioeconomic status -- the more difficult it is for the adversary to isolate the participants and adopt a repressive strategy short of maximal and indiscriminate repression.”
― Erica Chenoweth (Author)Maria J. Stephan (Author), Erica Chenoweth,Maria J. Stephan'sWhy Civil Resistance Works: The Strategic Logic of Nonviolent Conflict (Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare) [Hardcover]2011