Peacemaker Guidelines

The following roles, guidelines, and suggestions are adapted from Rocky Flats Action Group nonviolence manual:

1. Set the tone for the action. They maintain by their own demeanor a solemn and respectful presence among the participants, establishing a mode of conduct that is purposeful, positive, and instrumental in contributing to the general "personality" of the vigil and action.

2. Act as a communication network. They are aware of the timeframe of the action and the schedule of events in order to provide an important face-to-face communication link between the coordinators and the participants.

3. Provide emergency communication. Because they stand outside the "procession" and are more visible, they can play an important supportive role for persons who need emergency assistance. They should know whom to contact and how if assistance is needed.

4. Maintain the internal self-discipline of the action. Peacemaker facilitate the movement and action of large groups of people by directing traffic, encouraging people to walk and not run and providing information to the group. Peacemaker are also prepared to handle conflicts when they arise.

5. Act as mediators between authorities and demonstrators. It is very important to have peacemakers as buffers between law enforcement authorities, possible counter-demonstrators, and demonstrators. Peacemakers are responsible for maintaining the "nonviolent" self-discipline of the action and act as mediators in confrontations between authorities and demonstrators. Peacemakers have primary responsibility for participants in the action, but they should be fully prepared to protect legal authorities and other non-participants from demonstrators if necessary.

1. Be warm, friendly, and helpful. The tone of the demonstration depends on how you respond to your fellow witnesses, police, the media, and others. Our attitude should be one of openness, friendliness and respect toward all officials and participants. MOST IMPORTANTLY, peacemakers are not junior police, and this is no place for authority trips!

2. Be Creative. Nonviolence does not mean being aloof or failing to act. You must be creative in your attempt to intervene and resolve a conflict.

3. Be firm, but not rigid. If you have agreed to be a peacemaker, then you have also agreed to uphold the nonviolent principles of the vigil and action of SOA Watch at Ft. Benning. Occasionally this means intervening to risk reminding and inviting others to remain firm in their commitment to nonviolence and strongly encourage them to do so.

4. Be forthright. Deal fairly and honestly with people no matter what the situation. If you don't know the answer or the solution to something, say so and request help.

5. Be calm. It is a rare person who does not become angry or afraid under stress. We are not weak if we have fears. The important concept in being a peacemaker is controlling our own emotions as we focus on the primary purpose and goal of our action. This means that we must prepare ourselves emotionally, mentally, and spiritually before the action.

6. Be forgiving. We cannot be peacemakers and carry resentment about the "wrong" we are trying to right. Gandhi said, "Hate sin and love the sinner." This applies to conflicts between demonstrators as well as to conflicts with civil authorities, counter demonstrators, or others in the crowd.

7. Work as a team. You don't have to do everything yourself. Use and rely on the support you can get from other peacemakers and the designated leaders.

8. Do your job. If you feel you cannot perform a specific task for whatever reason, inform a peacemaker leader so a person can be found to replace you. If you find that you cannot handle yourself nonviolently in a situation, notify another peacemaker and step away from the conflict. It is better to step away than to risk an escalation of the conflict.

9. Peacemakers need to avoid other responsibilities during the time they are "on duty" as peacemakers. This includes caring for children, carrying signs or banners, working at a concession or table, distributing literature or other organizations, etc.

Heckling

	Your primary responsibility is toward the witnesses involved in the procession and to keep the procession moving smoothly and peacefully.
	Try to engage hecklers in polite conversation as an intervention technique, but understand that you are not going to "convince" or "convert" them. If you talk, "discuss" but do not argue.
	Be polite. Smile. Nothing is more disarming.

	Stay between conflicts or confrontations and the marchers. Keep the march moving. Your back should generally be toward the conflict while quietly urging others to keep moving and not to join the conflict.
	Let the conflict fizzle out. You do not need to be a hero and interpose yourself.
	DO NOT "TOUCH" or push people. Most people resent that action.
	Do not run toward conflicts. Move quickly but quietly toward the conflict if you can help isolate it.
	Stay calm. It's only a conflict.

	Urge people to stay back from the arrest.
	Do not try to block civil authorities and urge others not to also; it will only provoke a more stringent response and escalate the conflict.
	Observe what happens; the reason for and manner of the arrest; the names and badge numbers if possible, or at least a reliable description of the arresting officials. Be sure to keep a non-threatening distance from the arrest and do not interfere.

Police

	Maintain contact between yourself and the police whenever possible by introducing yourself, making eye contact, smiling, engaging them in conversation to establish the "human" connection.
	Inform police of your intentions in a non-threatening manner.
	Be open to their legitimate concerns, such as traffic flow or any other safety issues.

Disruptions within the vigil and action

	Talk with disrupters if possible. If they are demonstrators they may be open to good arguments and reminders to adhere to a pledge of nonviolence.
	Sometimes it's better to distract other demonstrators from the disrupters. Focus or refocus peoples' attention on the vigil and action itself by encouraging them to keep on moving, singing, chanting, or whatever is appropriate to the situation.