Features in issue 2449

Rallying support

by Brian Martin

Rallies are one of the most commonly used forms of nonviolent action, but how much do activists know about making them as effective as possible? Brian Martin explains how to analyse the dynamics of rally action.

No army defends peace!

by Adriana Castano

In the city of Medellín youth activists are taking a stand for peace within their highly militarised communities. Adriana Castaño from the Red Juvenil - Youth Network - reports.

Unarmed bodyguards

by Peace Brigades International

With more than 20 years' experience, Peace Brigades International have built a reputation for effective nonviolent interventions in trouble-spots around the world. Perhaps best known for their protective accompaniment work with threatened human rights defenders, trade union activists and peace campaigners, the organisation now has 21 national offices in countries throughout Europe, North America and the South Pacific, with current field projects in Mexico, Indonesia and Colombia.

A volunteer's letter home

by Peter Clark

Peace Brigades volunteer Peter Clark sends a message home from the frontline in the war waged on peaceful civilians.

Unreal thing

by PN staff

The deaths of seven trade union activists from companies associated with Coca-Cola in Colombia have prompted US workers to organise in solidarity with their Colombian compadres.

San Jose de Apartado

by PN staff

How do communities respond to long-term violence? For 54 of them it has been to establish "peace communities" which involve literally thousands of people. However, communities that refuse to bear arms in the conflict are unpopular with every side and frequently experience direct violence as a result.

Rebirth of solidarity

by Sean Donohue

US military involvement in Colombia's internal affairs - as epitomised by Plan Colombia - has been a constant feature since the 1960s, while support for "ordinary" Colombians caught up in the brutal civil war has come from specialist solidarity groups from around the world. Sean Donohue takes a look at how activist groups in the US are now building new and diverse solidarity networks that are calling for an unequivocal end to US military involvement in Colombia.