Santa Cruz IWW Nonviolence Resolution - July 1993

NONVIOLENCE STATEMENT SANTA CRUZ GENERAL MEMBERSHIP BRANCH INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD

WHEREAS, the employing class has historically subjugated the working class for the sake of the vested interests of the former, especially with violence, and

WHEREAS, the working class has always most effectively resisted the terms of our exploitation by organizing as a class for our mutual benefit, and

WHEREAS, faced with the power of united workers, the employing class has always resorted to the tool of violence and its subsequent terror for the means of repressing the working class into subjugation, against a more common interest, and further

WHEREAS the employing class has always tried to lay the blame for their crimes of violence at the door of the workers thus exploited,

WHEREAS, the Industrial Workers of the World has always advocated the act of organization as the primary and essential tool of workers' emancipation, and

WHEREAS, contrary to the norms of the society of the employing class, we have always articulated its vision as an effective, protective alternative to violence and its social illnesses,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Santa Cruz General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World re-affirms the nonviolent nature of the alternative(s) we propose, and are building, to counter the pernicious and at root violent evils of a society based on the exploitation of the many for the benefit of the few.

FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED that this resolution shall not be construed to deny or disparage, nor mistaken as the forfeiture of our inherent right to self-defense by whatever means necessary against a direct attack on our lives and/or limbs.

THUS RESOLVED
on this 24th day of the month of July, in the year 1993 era vulgaris[1]
The Santa Cruz General Membership Branch of the Industrial Workers of the World