Nonviolent Direct Action Has Been the Cornerstone of the Civil Rights Movement for More Than 200 Years
Make Your Voice Heard
In decades past, people with disabilities have made history by engaging in non-violent direct action, including attending a march, rally, or protest to fight for equality.
Thirty years ago, disability advocates who use wheelchairs left them behind to climb the inaccessible Capitol steps to fight for the Americans with Disabilities Act.
But even today, barriers, such as inaccessible paths of travel, threat of teargas that interferes with breathing equipment, and social anxiety, may prevent people with disabilities from attending marches, rallies, or protests. Learn how you can still support the movement.
Tell the Movement What You Need to Participate
Movements must be inclusive of everyone. Tell event organizers what you need to participate.
Be creative about your unique role in the process. Can you ride in a car accompanying the march? Hand out snacks and water bottles? Help direct or coordinate where the marchers go by radio or phone? Hold signs at a prearranged location along the route? Know Your Rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
For more ideas on how to make demonstrations and direct actions accessible, see the resources below.
Tips on How to be an Activist When You think you Cannot Attend a March, Rally or Protest
If you are not able to attend a march, rally, or protest, you can still support the movement. Here are four tips from our friends at Amnesty International about things that you can do.
Volunteer Your Skills. Movements need everything: childcare, web-design, phone banking, outreach, op-ed writers, spokespeople, and legal representation. Think about what you have to offer and then contact organizers to see if your skills are needed.
Be Active on Social Media. Re-post, share, and promote the work of organizations and groups that you support. Share action alerts, news, and update.
Take Action. All movements have a “target”—some change we are trying to make in our society. But, we need to get the attention of our leaders who have the power to make this change—this might be a member of the city council, Congress, or the President of the United States. That’s were you can come in. Look for organizations with clear calls to action—join their email list! They will tell you who you should contact and what you should say. Ask others to take action with you to amplify your voice.
Donate. If you can afford it, make a regular donation to a cause that you care about. Do your homework and make sure the organization is in line with your beliefs. You can also hold a fundraiser for the cause—bake sales, online fundraisers, or host a gathering and ask your friends to “kick-in” for the cause.
Together our voices have enormous power. Let’s use that power for good.
Resources on Making Protests Accessible
Civil Rights History
Non-Violent Direct Action
Equal Voting Rights
During the suffrage movement women banded together, marching in the streets wearing white to demand equal voting rights. On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was finally ratified, enfranchising women and declaring for the first time that they, like men, deserve all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship.
People with Disabilities
People with disabilities tossed aside our wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers to crawl up the marble steps of the U.S. Capitol, making clear that public places must be for everyone. On July 26, 1990, President Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability.
Jim Crow Laws
People of color led protests against Jim Crow laws and white supremacy, demanding that Congress prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, religion, and national origin. On July 2, 1964, after decades of non-violent direct action, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law.
Gender Justice
LGBTQIA+ people rose up at The Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969 to respond to unjust police raids that criminalized sexual and gender minorities. While the Equality Act has not been enacted yet, Pride events are held annually to mark the Stonewall Uprising’s anniversary.
There are dozens more examples of the power of non-violent direct action, including protests.
