There are three stages in a revolution. The first vital stage is information. It is a war of words, ideas and, above all, seeking for the truth. A revolution is not driven by physical violence, or mob rule, although those in authority might seek to portray it that way. A revolution is driven by intelligence, understanding, sincerity, the highest moral and ethical standards and good old common sense, because if the information does not make sense and is not accessible it is of little use. Every effort should be made to present information in plain language that is accessible to the greatest number of people. Academic language requires training to read and absorb and people who lack that training are often switched off by it so such language should be used with caution.
Information should not set out to be inflammatory, although revealing information and deeper truths may well give rise to indignation and anger, but the information should be reasoned and thought provoking. What may seem obvious to the person presenting the information, may not be at all obvious to the person receiving it, so evidence should be presented respectfully and considerately for people in many stages of understanding. It is better to inspire than inflame and better to feel hope rather than rage. Revolution should be driven by hope for a better world and better circumstances and not a desire to simply tear the current system apart and destroy it.
The second stage in a revolution is peaceful civil disobedience, protest and non violent resistance. This can take many forms including industrial action, protests, art, music, handing in petitions, refusing to pay unreasonable taxes, charges and fines and refusing to comply with civil authorities. The object is not to provoke confrontation, but to make it firmly clear that people are no longer willing to comply and that they have withdrawn their consent to be ruled or governed unjustly. As we’ve seen recently the response may well be unreasonable and oppressive, leading to provocation, kettling, enforced dispersal and arrests. As hard as it may be at times, the object is to resist provocation and back off if necessary and be alert for agent provocateurs looking to inflame a situation. Any violent response will be suppressed, as soon as that line has been crossed it is the green light for aggressive action from the police and those in power.
The third stage is the stage of absolute last resort. It is the gathering together of enough people to engage in violent revolution, civil war and armed aggression. Without the first two stages this cannot succeed, if people are not informed and cohesive in enough numbers to be a real threat to the authorities then they are guaranteed to fail. If the resistance has not been informed and built willingly and knowingly then it is not civil war, it’s just a flash in the pan and easily suppressed. There is no guarantee of winning and taking on all the power of the state is exactly why it is the last resort. The civilian population is not trained in organised aggression, the Police and armed forces are. Bear in mind it is predominantly governments who make war and are therefore more ready to respond with unrestrained and lethal force.
Right now in theUKwe are in both the first and second stages, they are not mutually exclusive and we have a long way to go with both. Today has seen the arrival in Britain of United Nations special rapporteur Raquel Rolnik charged with assessing whetherBritainhas delivered on the right to adequate housing and to investigate suicides linked to the ‘Bedroom Tax’. Many submissions have been made to the UN and this response has taken a great deal of work by a great many people to achieve. Activism is growing and steadily increasing across the country. I have shared a few links below for information from individuals and groups. I encourage people to get involved, the more people who are involved the more likely a peaceful resolution can be found in these very difficult times.
https://welfarenewsservice.com/un-watchdog-investigate-bedroom-tax-suicide-link/
https://blacktrianglecampaign.org/
https://scriptonitedaily.wordpress.com/
https://www.deardaveandnick.com/
https://thedailycameron.wordpress.com/
https://www.deardaveandnick.com/
https://www.keithordinaryguy.org.uk/
Keith Lindsay-Cameron
