By Timothy Cordon and
Annie Bachmann
Building Unity for Nonviolent Action
We are living through a time when democratic norms are being undermined, state power is increasingly racialized and violent, and people are being harmed and killed. Many are feeling alarmed or unsure how to respond. One meaningful and grounding response is to gather locally, learn together, and prepare to act with the moral clarity and power of nonviolent action.
Nonviolent practice helps us channel outrage and pain into confronting systems of oppression and violence — not people. It de-escalates tension, welcomes people in, and lifts up our shared humanity, making space for all to belong.
Building Unity for Nonviolent Action (BU4NVA) is a Madison-area coalition working to bring people together for unified, effective nonviolent action. Whether you are new to this work or deeply experienced, there are clear ways to get involved.
Start here
Get connected to BU4NVA and stay informed. By connecting, you help the community move together, more efficiently and with less overwhelm.
• Learn more about BU4NVA:
tinyurl.com/BU4NVA-Info-Page
• Sign up to receive updates:
tinyurl.com/BU4NVA-Sign-up
Your next step
Talk with the people in your life about preparing for nonviolent action. Across our community, neighbors, friends, family and co-workers are forming Nonviolent Action Teams — small groups committed to responding nonviolently and supporting one another.
• Get updates about team formation:
tinyurl.com/Action-Team-Info-Sign-up
• Enroll your team in the network:
tinyurl.com/NAT-Point-Person-Sign-up
• Ongoing support: BU4NVA hosts virtual Nonviolent Action Team In-Formation Meetings every other Monday to help people find their way into teams.
6 pm via Zoom:
us06web.zoom.us/j/99245031795
If you only do one thing
Silence is not neutral. When people are targeted for their skin color, or when those standing in solidarity are shot — as in the Twin Cities — pretending not to notice becomes harmful. These events are not distant; what is happening there could very well happen next in Milwaukee or Madison, which is why studying, preparing and acting together matter. We have a responsibility to speak up — even when it’s uncomfortable — in everyday conversations, not to lecture or argue, but to acknowledge reality the way we acknowledge icy roads or dangerous weather: this is happening, and it puts lives at risk. At the same time, no one is expected to respond alone. Acting together, with care and preparation, reduces harm and strengthens our community.
Learn more about other initiatives and resources at tinyurl.com/BU4NVA-STARS-Posting-Page or call Building Unity at 608-630-3633.
