The United States has seen its share of violent protests most notably the LA riots, but there have been numerous nonviolent protests as well. Using nonviolent action on a large scale, the civil rights movement forever changed the future of the American South. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) initiated modern nonviolent action for civil rights with sit-ins and a freedom ride in the 1940s. The successful Montgomery bus boycott shocked the nation. Then, in the early 1960s the country was consumed with nonviolent actions: sit-ins at lunch counters and other facilities, organized by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and Freedom Rides to the South organized by CORE (Lebalme).
Margaret Mead stated it best when she said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" (Terkel 3). The anti-apartheid movement in the 80s was built upon the powerful and empowering use of civil disobedience by the civil rights movement in the 60s. In November of 1984, a campaign began that involved daily civil disobedience in front of the South African Embassy. People, including members of Congress, national labor and religious leaders, celebrities, students, community leaders, teachers, and others, risked arrest every weekday for over a year. This act is still helping to make changes today in South Africa where land previously stolen from the native people is being returned to its" rightful owners.
Another example of nonviolent civil disobedience effecting change is that Gallaudet College in Washington D.C. After a hearing person who didn't know any sign language was appointed to president of the college the students went on strike. Thousands across the country joined in the cause, and eventually the president resigned (Terkel 115). This shows the power of even a few people.
Gandhi states that there are four definite stages to non-cooperation.
