We on the Portland Peace Team are happy to serve groups at events that meet our basic requirements,
That the event is advertised and promoted as either “nonviolent” or “family friendly” or “peaceful” (or some equivalent) and that specific behaviors are expected of all participants, including: no weapons (guns, knives, rocks, etc.) on anyone’s person (including other security teams invited to help keep the peace); no violent response to any provocation, even if attacked, no violent actions or threats.
· That the organizers announce that they have invited the Portland Peace Team to help remind all participants of the code of conduct the organizers have mandated.
· That any other peacekeeping or security teams invited will not use any physical violence, nor carry any weapons. If the Portland Peace Team is invited as ancillary peacemakers under the direction of the group’s own security team, that security team must be committed to no physical violence for the duration of the event.
· That we are never working for any armed security force, including police, though we are happy to liaise with them openly to reduce any chances of violence. We are never the “ears and eyes of the police.”
We also recommend, but do not require:
· Participants are told that respect for all is a requirement (this does not equate to respect for any ideology, nor respect for particular behaviors or language, just a respect for everyone’s basic humanity)
· Participants are asked to not debate, not argue with, hecklers or counter-demonstrators, as this only escalates conflict in destructive ways
· Participants do not engage in property destruction (unless this is advertised ahead of time as part of the intended action)
· Participants do not break any laws unless civil resistance is announced ahead of time and part of the promotion of the event.
TOMS BLOG:http://hastingsnonviolence.blogspot.com
PEACEVOICE: http://www.peacevoice.info
