New actions skills training development day

A group of our activity coordinators and nonviolent direct action trainers spent a very tiring and slightly damp Saturday working with the actions unit on the development of a new training programme for our experienced activists. The basic NVDA training programme introduces people to nonviolence and how it is used, and trains them in verbal and physical control, how to keep calm, uses role play, blocking exercises and discussions about personal responsibility and covers legal consequences. For years we've felt we needed to have another level of training into the use of equipment and how to go over, under or through safely, comunication systems, dealing with long occupations and some first aid. So 16 of us climbed ladders, walls, fences, practised with radios and ratchet straps and discussed the plans for the programme. We aim to have a full weekend skills training organised for a couple of weekends this summer. Watch this space!