At Lenawee Indivisible, we believe in the power of democracy—and democracy cannot survive in a culture of fear and violence. That’s why we are making our position clear: we reject all forms of political violence, no matter the source, no matter the target.
building The courage to Resist Hatred & Fear
Violence seeks to silence and destroy, while nonviolence insists on the dignity of every human being. By rejecting violence, we affirm that:
- Every person matters: Political opponents are not enemies to be crushed, but fellow citizens with whom we share a future.
- Ends and means must align: If our goal is a just and democratic society, we cannot reach it by unjust or undemocratic methods.
- Fear cannot guide us: Violence feeds cycles of retaliation and fear. Nonviolence breaks those cycles and models the better world we are working to create.
Nonviolence is not weakness. It is strength—the courage to resist hatred without becoming consumed by it.
Peaceful Movements are the key to Change
Some may believe that violence is the only way to create change. But research shows the opposite. Political scientists Erica Chenoweth and Maria J. Stephan have studied more than a century of civic movements and found that:
- Nonviolent campaigns are more than twice as likely to succeed as violent ones.
- Countries where nonviolent movements take root are far more likely to transition to or sustain democracy.
- When just 3.5% of a population engages in sustained nonviolent resistance, history shows change almost always follows.
- Nonviolent movements draw broader participation, making them harder to dismiss or suppress, and building lasting legitimacy.
For us, nonviolence is not only a moral commitment. It is also a strategic choice that history proves is far more effective.
This isn’t a Left vs. Right Issue
Lenawee Indivisible is a nonpartisan organization. What gives us hope is that leaders on both sides of the political aisle are echoing this call for a better path.
Utah’s Republican governor, Spencer Cox, warned last week:
“And that’s the problem with political violence. It metastasizes because we can always point the finger at the other side. And at some point, we have to find an off-ramp, or it’s going to get much, much worse.”
He urged Americans, especially young people, to “choose a different path” and reject violence and rage before it tears our country further apart.
From the other side of the spectrum, Senator Bernie Sanders said in a video statement:
“Freedom and democracy is not about political violence… Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice.”
He reminded us that in a democracy, “people can speak out, organize and take part in public life without fear—without worrying that they might be killed, injured or humiliated for expressing their political views.”
When leaders as different as Cox and Sanders are delivering the same message, it shows us something powerful: this isn’t about left or right. It’s about whether we will choose democracy or division, courage or fear.
Our Commitment
Lenawee Indivisible commits ourselves to nonviolence in word, action, and spirit. From marches and rallies to conversations with our neighbors, our strength comes from persistence, creativity, and solidarity—not from intimidation or force.
Nonviolence isn’t just what we do. It’s who we are.
What You Can Do
- Speak up: Make it clear that violence has no place in our civic life.
- Show up: Join us at peaceful rallies, meetings, and community events. De-escalate when necessary.
- Stay engaged: Keep organizing, keep voting, and keep building the democracy we all deserve.
Together, we can reject division and demonstrate that democracy thrives when people choose nonviolence.
About Lenawee Indivisible:
Lenawee Indivisible is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending democracy, protecting voting rights, and holding elected officials accountable—in Lenawee County, MI, and beyond. We believe in informed civic engagement, inclusive communities, and building power through people. Learn how you can get involved.