The Parkin backfire

B. Martin, University of Wollongong
I. Murray, Nonviolence Training Project, Melbourne

Article comments

This article was originally published as: Martin, B & Murray, I, The Parkin backfire, Social Alternatives, 2005, 24(3), 46-49, 70. The original journal can be found here.

Abstract

In September 2005, the Australian government arrested and deported Scott Parkin, a visiting US peace activist. This caused a storm of protest and greatly stimulated community interest in nonviolent action and threats to civil liberties. The Parkin case shows how an injustice can backfire and how activists can use an understanding of backfire dynamics to be more effective.