Committee for Nonviolent Revolution
Encyclopedia
The Committee for Nonviolent Revolution, or CNRV, was a pacifist organization founded in Chicago
at a conference held from February 6 through 9, 1946. Many of the founding members were conscientious objectors who had served time in prison or in Civilian Public Service
camps due to their refusal to fight in World War II
. These included Dave Dellinger, George Houser
, Lew Hill, Ralph DiGia
, and Igal Roodenko
. These activists, having been radicalized by their experiences during the war, were dissatisfied with the War Resisters League
and other, more traditional pacifist organizations, such as the Fellowship of Reconciliation
. They announced that "the time has come for radical elements from the groups devoted to war resistance, socialism, militant labor unionism, consumer cooperation, and racial equality to attempt to come together in a common program of revolutionary action." The CNRV promoted civil disobedience, and opposed the formation of the United Nations
, picketing outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1946. The group also published a number of bulletins, and managed to sponsor another conference, whose theme was Radicalism in the Next Five Years, from August 8 through 10, 1947. However, the wide variety of views held by the members, ranging from pacifism to anarcho-syndicalism
, made effective organization difficult. By 1948, the group was essentially inactive, with many of the members regrouping to form Peacemakers
. Former members of the CNRV also went on to found listener supported public radio stations in the Bay Area, including KPFA
.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
at a conference held from February 6 through 9, 1946. Many of the founding members were conscientious objectors who had served time in prison or in Civilian Public Service
Civilian Public Service
The Civilian Public Service provided conscientious objectors in the United States an alternative to military service during World War II...
camps due to their refusal to fight in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. These included Dave Dellinger, George Houser
George Houser
George M. Houser is a Methodist minister, civil rights activist, and activist for the independence of African nations. He served on the staff of the Fellowship of Reconciliation . With James Farmer, and Bernice Fisher, he co-founded the Congress of Racial Equality in 1942 in Chicago...
, Lew Hill, Ralph DiGia
Ralph DiGia
Ralph DiGia was a World War II conscientious objector, lifelong pacifist and social justice activist, and staffer for 52 years at the War Resisters League....
, and Igal Roodenko
Igal Roodenko
- Biography :Roodenko graduated from Townsend Harris High School in Manhattan, New York. He attended Cornell University from 1934 to 1938, where he received a degree in horticulture. Roodenko was a gay man, and a printer by trade....
. These activists, having been radicalized by their experiences during the war, were dissatisfied with the War Resisters League
War Resisters League
The War Resisters League was formed in 1923 by men and women who had opposed World War I. It is a section of the London-based War Resisters' International.Many of the founders had been jailed during World War I for refusing military service...
and other, more traditional pacifist organizations, such as the Fellowship of Reconciliation
Fellowship of Reconciliation
The Fellowship of Reconciliation is the name used by a number of religious nonviolent organizations, particularly in English-speaking countries...
. They announced that "the time has come for radical elements from the groups devoted to war resistance, socialism, militant labor unionism, consumer cooperation, and racial equality to attempt to come together in a common program of revolutionary action." The CNRV promoted civil disobedience, and opposed the formation of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, picketing outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1946. The group also published a number of bulletins, and managed to sponsor another conference, whose theme was Radicalism in the Next Five Years, from August 8 through 10, 1947. However, the wide variety of views held by the members, ranging from pacifism to anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism
Anarcho-syndicalism is a branch of anarchism which focuses on the labour movement. The word syndicalism comes from the French word syndicat which means trade union , from the Latin word syndicus which in turn comes from the Greek word σύνδικος which means caretaker of an issue...
, made effective organization difficult. By 1948, the group was essentially inactive, with many of the members regrouping to form Peacemakers
Peacemakers
Peacemakers, was an American pacifist organization. The name of the group is taken from a section of the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”...
. Former members of the CNRV also went on to found listener supported public radio stations in the Bay Area, including KPFA
KPFA
KPFA is a listener-funded progressive talk radio and music radio station located in Berkeley, California, broadcasting to the San Francisco Bay Area. KPFA airs public news, public affairs, talk, and music programming. The station signed on-the-air April 15 1949, as the first Pacifica Station...
.