199 nonviolent confinement
"In this method the campaigners restrict someone's freedom of movement, in a way that does not rely on physical barriers, and without the use or threat of injurious force. This method is similar to Nonviolent obstruction (172) in that the physical mass of bodies might restrict freedom of movement, and Nonviolent interjection (171) in which the psychological impact might do the same. However, interjection and obstruction are intended to prevent the opponent from carrying out an action which is objected to. Nonviolent confinement may have additional uses: to strongly pressure the opponent to do something they would rather not do (negotiate a peace treaty) or to restrain someone who is judged to be irrational and needs a human container in order to come to their right mind."...
High scoring campaigns using this method
Historical cases from the Nonviolent Action Database that used this method
Allegany County resists nuclear dumping, 1989-1990
The state of New York was required by federal law to have a nuclear waste dump by January 1, 1993. In 1988, a special siting committee formed to determine where to put the dump. The siting commission considered five sites in rural Allegany County, Ne...
Liberian women act to end civil war, 2003
In 2000, Liberia’s second civil war broke out. Liberian President Charles Taylor and his military forces, who had taken over Liberia in 1989 during the first civil war, experienced attacks from the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (L...
Black University of Washington students campaign for inclusion, United States, 1968
The 1960s was a time of national turmoil for the civil rights of African-Americans, and Seattle was no exception. However, up until 1968, Seattle’s civil rights movement was subdued, compared to the fervor and tension of campaigns in other cities. Th...
Tasmanian Wilderness Society blocks dam construction (Franklin River Campaign) 1981-83
In 1976, the Hydro Electric Commission of Tasmania solidified their plans with the Australian government to build a dam across the Franklin and Gordon Rivers, in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. The Tasmanian Wilderness Society formed n...
Ogharefe women protest against Pan Ocean oil industry, 1984
The Ogharefe people of Nigeria suffered from the effects of oil pollution and oil exploration. The Ogharefe community was afflicted with a number of health issues, ranging from skin rashes to stomach ailments, from the gas flares and release of "oil ...
Nepalese force king to accept democratic reform, 'Jana Andolan' (People's Movement), 1990
Nepal is a small Himalayan country that borders China and India with a population of about 20 million and with a famous ethnic and religious diversity. Established as a monarchy in the mid-18th century, its form of government was hotly contested in 1...
New Yorkers occupy Engine Company 212 (People's Firehouse), 1975-1977
In 1975 and 1976, New York City instituted deep budget cuts that angered the local people and led to many sit-ins and occupations around the city. In the spring of 1975, fears from the recession and government budgets made the banks refuse to market ...
U.S. disability rights activists (ADAPT) win support from Governors for Medicaid reform, 2002-2005
On July 14, 2002, members of ADAPT (formerly Americans Disabled for Accessible Public Transit) blocked in five governors’ courtesy SUVs and harassed participants at the National Governors Association (NGA) Conference in downtown Boise, Idaho, in an a...
French citizens campaign to close five concentration camps for North Africans, 1959-60
The May 1959 opening of French government internment camps for Algerians suspected of being subversive agents of the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN) came towards the end of the Algerian War (11/1954-03/1962). The war, which ended with Algeri...
Harvard University community campaigns for divestment from apartheid South Africa, 1977-1989
In the late 70s and 80s, American colleges and universities were engulfed in a heated debate over the ethical implications of financial investments. Educational institutions had invested billions of dollars in financial institutions and corporations ...
Low scoring campaigns using this method
Historical cases from the Nonviolent Action Database that used this method
Norwegian farmers stage a bread blockade for higher government subsidies 2012
In late April and early May of 2012, the Norwegian government and the National Farmers Union were negotiating about governmental support for agriculture. The National Farmers Union asked for 2.2 billion kroner in subsidies and other support to farmer...
Pakistan's Azadi March to Overthrow Prime Minister, 2014
The government of Pakistan under Nawaz Sharif was widely mistrusted by its people. Prior to the parliamentary election in May of 2013, Sharif had already declared himself Prime Minister of Pakistan before citizens had even voted. In 2014, former nati...
Prisoners occupy Attica Correctional Facility for just treatment, 1971
Editor's Note: We recognize that the inclusion of this case in a database of nonviolent action may be controversial because of the campaigner violence at certain points during the campaign. However, we have concluded that the campaigner violence was ...