Social Justice Tag: Nonviolence

September 2026

Articles from Mercy:

• • Critical Considerations Will my vote count? (Karen Donahue, RSM)
• • Nonviolent civil resistance and the 3½% (Mike Poulin; Institute Justice Team)
• • My life as a sister and Justice Team member (Sue Gallagher, RSM; Institute Justice Team)

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Critical Considerations

Will my vote count?

Karen Donahue, RSM

The 2026 midterm elections, now less than two months away, will take place under the shadow of an unprecedented attack on the right to vote unleashed by the Trump administration. The president has issued a number of executive orders undermining voting by mail and calling for stricter ID requirements, and he has not ruled out sending federal agents such as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) personnel or even the military to the polls.

Early this summer, American Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization that uses accesses to public records to identify emerging threats to democracy, released How Voter Suppression Tactics Prevent Fair Elections, a document that outlines the broad range of ways in which an election can be subverted. These include limiting the number of polling sites and hours for voting, purging voter rolls, burdensome ID requirements, intimidating voters at the polls and severely limiting mail-in voting which is critical for persons with disabilities, seniors, rural voters and workers whose schedules provide for little or no flexibility.

One of the major reasons that the Trump administration has put forward to justify its efforts to undermine voting is the claim that undocumented immigrants have been voting in large numbers. These claims are patently false. For example, a 2024 audit of Michigan’s registered voters uncovered just sixteen cases of noncitizens voting. These voters represented 0.00028% of votes cast by Michiganders in the 2024 general election.

An October 2024 audit of Iowa voters identified 2,176 potential noncitizens on the voter rolls, a number that represented only 0.01% of registered Iowa voters. However, in March 2025 Iowa’s Secretary of State revised this figure downward to just 277 possible noncitizens, about one eighth of the original number.

Nevertheless, there are measures voters can take to make sure their vote is counted:

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Nonviolent civil resistance and the 3½%

Mike Poulin; Institute Justice Team

The first protest that I can remember attending was in Kansas City in 2003 to show displeasure with President George W. Bush’s decision to invade Iraq to secure purported Weapons of Mass Destruction. The events of the time were small affairs, as have been most of the protests, demonstrations and rallies I have participated in since, with the exception of a rally to end homelessness in Washington, D.C. in the mid-2000s that clogged the Metro subway system on a Saturday morning.

In the past few years, I have attended many more street protests than usual. From “Hands Off” to “No Kings!”, these demonstrations have responded to concerns about authoritarian tendencies shown by the U.S. presidential administration. People attending these events express concerns about our political leaders taking actions that follow the pattern of The Authoritarian Playbook as defined by Protect Democracy. Some characteristics of authoritarianism that we are seeing play out in the United States include:

These concerns, among others, have resulted in large numbers of people taking to the streets to express their displeasure and to take a stand to protect democracy. Included in these crowds are a significant number of first-time demonstrators who have heard the call to rally and decided that now is the time to act.

Gathering with a crowd of like-minded individuals for a protest for the first time can be an exciting experience. Encountering people from all walks of life who share our values and learning about the organizations that exist to protect human rights is exhilarating. These experiences are a counterbalance to the gloom of the daily news and the doom of social media scrolling. Yet demonstrations are not just feel-good gatherings. They are a step toward building a movement.

In her writings, including Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know (Oxford University Press, 2021), Harvard professor and researcher Erica Chenoweth, PhD, discusses the importance of nonviolent protest to the growth of campaigns. In her research, Chenoweth, a leading authority on nonviolent movements, has found that most nonviolent civil resistance campaigns reach a critical mass when 3.5% of a country’s population becomes engaged in resistance to authoritarianism, and all movements that are able to involve 10% of the country’s population have been successful. (Chenoweth, p. 94)

While public protests are a good way to draw people into a movement and draw attention to a movement, it’s important to recognize that demonstrations alone are usually not enough to bring about significant change. Chenoweth explains that while there is not a specific recipe for success, effective campaigns are ones that use a variety of tactics to impose pressure on a regime (Chenoweth, p. 87). Strikes, work stoppages, boycotts, coalition building, and organized efforts to shift the sympathies of the regime’s supporters are all means that campaigns have used to obstruct authoritarianism.

As participation at mass demonstrations approaches 3.5% of the U.S. population (about 12 million people), additional nonviolent actions may be necessary to protect our democracy. Multiple organizations are raising the alarm as the midterm elections approach. Department of Justice efforts to obtain voter registration data from states, the president’s executive order to restrict mail-in ballots and concerns that federal agents may be deployed at polling places have led some organizations to prepare for election disruptions by examining possible scenarios and preparing to take action, if necessary.

Even if the November elections go smoothly, additional concern has been raised about the seating of members of Congress that will take place in January. In a recent article for The New Republic, Judge Michael Luttig, a Republican, raised his concern about the potential for leaders from his own party to thwart the will of the people by refusing to seat Democrat representatives-elect in the House. While the potential sequence of events Luttig describes could once have been described as outlandish, following the January 6, 2021 assault of the Capitol, such a possibility can’t be overlooked.

Though sometimes our democratic situation seems dire, Chenowith illustrates her research with a multitude of examples from countries around the globe where nonviolent civil resistance has resulted in real change. Key to all these campaigns is organization, coordination and leadership. One of the most inspiring stories is that of Otpor, a student-led movement in Serbia that helped organize the downfall of Slobodan Milošević. These efforts are chronicled in the documentary, Bringing Down a Dictator, from the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict.

For those of us committed to nonviolence and concerned about social justice and protecting democracy, it is incumbent upon us to continue showing up and to continue learning. Currently, that means participating in peaceful demonstrations, contacting our legislators and expressing our opinions through letters to the editor and social media. We must also pay attention to the leaders of our movements for guidance as we forge a path forwards.

Author’s note: I recommend a complete reading of Dr. Chenoweth’s book, Civil Resistance: What Everyone Needs to Know, but for those who want a shorter introduction to her work, this article from the Harvard Kennedy School and its related links are one alternative.

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My life as a sister and Justice Team member

Sue Gallagher, RSM; Institute Justice Team

Many times, we have thought – and I have felt – the words of Frances Ward, our American founder: “It is a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy.” Now and then, we may add a phrase or a descriptor; as I write this reflection, completing this thought seems important – “It is a glorious thing to be a Sister of Mercy… and a member of the Institute Justice Team!” Even though I am celebrating my sixty-third Mercy Day and will be eighty years old on my next birthday, mercy and justice keep me enthusiastic and energized – most days.

As I ponder a day in my life, I’d like to share a compilation of the kinds of activities and experiences – as well as the people – I engage. No one day captures them all!

Being a sister adds an extra layer of joy and ministry. As a member of our schola here in Merion, Pennsylvania, I enjoy singing for holy days and holidays. And as a member of the funeral committee, I am honored to be involved in planning, preparing, and orchestrating services (funeral liturgy and prayers of remembrance). For the past few years, I have served as a community facilitator in Mercy Volunteer Corps. I am always impressed with the people who participate and their growing dedication to Mercy through their ministries.

There are so many opportunities to join our sisters, associates, and colleagues in prayer and development of the Critical Concerns, often adding a bit of humor.

In the morning I enjoy spending time in contemplative sitting and meditation. As I like to say, “Can’t leave home without it!” I try to keep abreast of the news and at the same time to be choiceful about the news I consume. A conscious dose of the news is a must. My top news sources are: Democracy Now with Amy Goodwin, Sky News from the UK for another perspective, and NPR News at times. I also count on podcasts like Inside the Vatican (America Media); On the Media; The Daily (NYTimes); and Witness History (BBC News). I find I can only tap into some of these sources each day to protect my mind and heart. I wait to work with emails until after 9:30 a.m.; otherwise, they consume my day. If I see a sister’s name or an Institute or Justice Team member, these come first.

Although I learned I could work from home during our COVID time, I enjoy working in my office in the administrative area of Merion. My colleagues and the sisters in our retirement area help keep me grounded. At times, people will visit my office, often with suggestions or questions. Folks also call me on the phone: “Sue do you have a prayer service for (a particular area)? Or “What are we doing for (a particular area)?” It’s a chance for me to connect with people and to extend myself to a particular area. Also, there are times I am involved in planning events like our upcoming postcard writing campaign. Frequently, I deliver presentations: Dilexi te for the sisters at Watchung, NJ; advocacy for college students; natural burial for the community. I enjoy giving presentations which taps into my life as a teacher.

Attending webinars is a favorite activity, especially if they are worthwhile to critical interests. Organizations like Nuns Against Gun Violence, LCWR, and NETWORK all offer helpful programs and materials. Participation in a variety of Zoom discussions takes time and is usually time well spent. I attend a Faithful Philly discussion group frequently. Last week it was a delight to see so many of my Zoomer friends at a conference sponsored by the Cabrini Center for Immigration at Villanova. Getting to know people involved in peace and justice work is always helpful.

I value the work in my office; however, my happy place is on the road. Whenever I can visit sisters in other areas, I am delighted. I want to do this more frequently. It is so important to hear how Mercy is being spread throughout this region by our sisters and friends. Justice seems to be taken very seriously!

In my ministry of justice, I’ve been able to travel to El Paso, Texas and the border with Juárez in Chihuahua, Mexico. I met so many people who taught me the root causes of immigration, and I got to meet wonderful people like Sisters Kathleen Erickson and Betty Campbell (R.I.P.). These wonderful sisters have given their lives for [siblings]. I’ve also traveled to El Salvador with SHARE (Salvadoran Humanitarian Aid, Research, and Education Foundation) and my colleague, Jean Stokan, and celebrated the Church women martyred there: Maryknoll Sisters Maura Clarke and Ita Ford, Ursuline Sister Dorothy Kazel, and lay missionary Jean Donovan, as well as Saint Oscar Romero. We then traveled to Honduras, meeting amazing folks including Hermana Masbely Del Cid, RSM and Associate Nelly Del Cid. These are life-changing experiences.

There are many organizations to learn from, as you know. Some of my favorites are: Back from the Brink (a U.S.–based grassroots coalition of individuals, organizations, and elected officials working together toward a world free of nuclear weapons), Franciscan Peace Center, Pace e Bene, Pax Christi, and the Social Justice Resource Center. They are filled with resources that inform my work and transform society.

Providing Zoom presence for our Nonviolence Interest Group meeting once a month for the past 3 years is a source of enrichment for me. I know many other groups have joined together in prayer and sharing to nurture further nonviolence in our lives and in our world. This facilitation started as a work for justice, and it has expanded into an integral aspect of my life and ministry.

It would be impossible to keep pushing toward our goals as a community and as a team member without the wonderful colleagues on the Justice Team. We assist each other in our openness and care for justice and each other. Meeting every Wednesday for 90 minutes is just the beginning of our work together. As Catherine said, “The tender Mercy of God has given us one another!”

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