Active nonviolence is key in resolving the conflict over Iran's election outcome

During the past few days, the world has witnessed massive demonstrations by Iranians in response to the June 12 national election in Iran. Hundreds of thousands of people have poured into the streets of Tehran and other major cities to express their feelings about the election results.

While, for the most part, these demonstrations have been peaceful, there are reports of shootings and beatings that have resulted in dozens of injuries and deaths. According to official reports, at least 10 people are dead and more than 100 have been injured.

As international allies committed to the principles and practice of active nonviolence, we speak from a place of love of Iran and of the Iranian people. We strongly advocate for nonviolent means of resolving the tense situation in Iran. We urge those who are protesting the election results to continue to remain calm and to refrain from damaging public property. At the same time, we strongly condemn the government's use of force against unarmed civilians. Violence is not a solution, and begets more violence.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Six Principles of Nonviolence" is a helpful guide at this challenging moment. Dr. King reminds us not only that nonviolence is active and a way of life, but that nonviolence chooses love instead of hate; that it seeks to defeat injustice not people; and that we can be educated and transformed by nonviolent suffering. We call on all parties -- within Iran and outside of its borders -- to commit to: open and transparent dialogue, not demonizing political opponents, and nonviolent resolution of all aspects of this conflict.

About the Fellowship of Reconciliation's Iran Program:

In the past four years, the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) has sent ten delegations of U.S. citizens to Iran, seeking to build people-to-people relationships between our peoples. FOR has called on the U.S. government to engage directly with the Iranian government, as we, in turn, have been bringing together people from the peace, religious, educational, arts, and health communities. FOR hosted a historic meeting in September 2008 in New York City between 150 leaders of the U.S. peace and grassroots anti-war communities and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. FOR is now organizing a nationwide candlelight vigil on July 3, 2009 in multiple U.S. communities to observe the 21st anniversary of the downing of Iran Air #655 by the USS Vincennes on July 3, 1988 -- and asking the U.S. government to finally apologize for that tragedy that killed 290 civilians.

Resources for current news from and about Iran, including alternative sources:

• Iran Daily Newsclips: a collection of articles from various English-language media each day on Iran
• niacINsight, the blog of the National Iranian American Council
• The International Center on Nonviolent Conflict daily news digest
• openDemocracy.net
• Blogger and author Juan Cole