12:30 - 2:00 pm
Room 160 East, Commonwealth Honors College, UMass Amherst
Open to all Refreshments served
Dr. Stellan Vinthagen is Professor of Sociology, a scholar-activist, and the Inaugural Endowed Chair in the Study of Nonviolent Direct Action and Civil Resistance at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he directs the Resistance Studies Initiative. He is also Editor of the Journal of Resistance Studies , Co-Leader of the Resistance Studies Group at University of Gothenburg, Sweden, co-founder of the International Resistance Studies Network, Council Member of War Resisters International, and academic advisor to the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict ICNC). His research is focused on resistance, power, social movements, nonviolent action, conflict transformation and social change. He has since 1980 been an educator, organizer and activist in several countries, and has participated in more than 30 nonviolent civil disobedience actions, for which he has served a total of more than one year in prison. His latest book is A Theory of Nonviolent Action - How Civil Resistance Works (2015).
ABSTRACT: An unprecedented mobilization of resistance and protests have arisen in the U.S. during the last couple of months. That is hopeful, but there are important issues and lessons from resistance studies to reflect upon that are not necessarily taken into account by the activists. How will these large protest events evolve into a resilient and long-term movement? Activists will need to mount a resistance strong enough to create a necessary system change that will survive the repression that the Trump regime has already prepared for. This talk will reflect upon a movement that can make a difference during the next 4-8 years of Trumpism. After an introduction by Stellan, we will discuss how to best develop a framework for such a resistance in small groups.
Co-sponsored by The UMass Amherst Psychological and Brain Sciences Diversity Committee, Resistance Studies Initiative and Center for Research on Families.