Opinion: Local Group Embraces Radical Nonviolence
The news flashes - another act of violence. This time a Lebanese American grieving the recent loss of his family to the violence in the Middle East, chose to attack a Jewish synagogue. Online comments pour in as people spew their hatred against immigrants, Muslims, and anyone else who does not look, act, or believe like they do. The irony is that as their vitriol spills onto the page, they do not realize just how similar they are to the man accused in the attack. Hate begats hate no matter how we stack it, and if we are ever to find peace in this world, we must stand up to injustice not through bombs and guns but through nonviolent resistance.
Nonviolent resistance to injustice is what the First Presidency encourages everyone to practice in an announcement posted to the Bountiful Mission Center's page. According to the release from members of The First Presidency, we are encouraged to "Embody Radical Nonviolence." The post goes on to explain that doing so means we should act in our own neighborhoods to counter violence with the peace of Jesus Christ and to try to find common ground with those who are different from us. An example of just such action exists here within the small city of Portsmouth, Ohio. Scioto Peace and Justice, a local chapter of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, meets every Thursday from 4 - 5 pm to witness against multiple examples of injustice including the wars in Iran and Gaza internationally as well as the atrocities being committed by ICE agents on the streets of cities in our very nation. After the hour-long demonstration, members gather for dinner and a meeting to discuss upcoming plans and issues. These individuals have held true to their commitment to nonviolent resistance and have continued to conduct these demonstrations faithfully for nearly two years, and in addition to conducting the silent demonstrations, members of the group have spoken at city council meetings to advocate for the marginalized in the community including the unhoused and LGBTQ individuals.
The group welcomes anyone who would like to join the Thursday afternoon silent witness or to be a part of other events. The demonstration takes place every Thursday from 4 to 5 at the corner of Third and Gay Streets on the sidewalk across from the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. The group is also a co-sponsor of the No Kings Protest to be held March 28th in Tracy Park at 1:30 pm.