Disarming a Riot

The Rev. Rob Robertson describes how nonviolent direct action was used on the
14th April - the march to mourn the death of Chris Hani.

The young lions surge past chanting, "War, War.  No More Peace."  And the
next wave are on the old theme of 'one settler, one bullet.'  Looking very
much like a settler with my white goatee, I'm there with other clergy at the
request of ANC marshals and police to assist in pacifying the tens of
thousands on the parade.

Outnumbered one thousand to one, and with no planned strategy, what does one
do?  Get between the looters and the loot, or between the shooters and the
looters?  Sow the idea that it's time to go home?  Form a human chain to
sweep the area?  One thing I discovered possible, was to gently disarm the
angry young men wielding iron bars and pipes.  Two out of every three yielded
to the following approach:  
"Are you all right?" I ask, sometimes putting a hand on his shoulder. 
Invariably, "Yes."  "Have you been hurt?"  "No."  "Are you going to hurt
someone with that bar?"  "Oh, no."  "Well then, please give it to me."  I
reach out my other hand, but make no attempt to grasp it.  It has to be
given.  "Thank you.  See if you can persuade the others to cool it."

And off I go to hide the weapon in a burning car or toss it on a roof.  Those
who won't part with their pipes still feel that they have to make an excuse
to the Unfundisi (Minister) for carrying them.  One lad hobbled off using it
as a crutch!

Conscience has a grip on most of us.
Rev. Rob Robertson
from: Quaker Peace Centre Newsletter, Cape Town, South Africa.