Lokashakti Encyclopedia of Nonviolence, Peace, and Social Justice

Khudai Khidmatgar

The Khudai Khidmatgar (Servants of God) was a group founded by Abdul Ghaffar Khan in the Northwest Frontier of British India. The group was notable for its regimented approach to nonviolence and its success in furthering the movement for Indian Independence.

Kyrgyzstan's Tulip Revolution

A people power movement in March 2005 aimed at forcing out Kyrgyzstan's increasingly autocratic ruler, Askar Ayakev. Through public demonstrations and persistence in the face of increasingly violent repression, the movement won over a majority of Kyrgyzstan's population and forced Ayakev's resignation.

Latvia's Independence Movement

Starting with the human rights watch group Helsinki '86, Latvia's nonviolent movement to achieve independence from the former Soviet Union succeeded in 1991, and even included plans for civilian-based defense in the event that the Soviet army attempted to re-invade.

Lebanon's Cedar Revolution

After the assassination of Lebanese prime minister Rafiq Hariri in February 2005, this nonviolent movement, in little over two months, succeeded in getting Syria to withdraw its army from Lebanon, after having occupied the country for 29 years.

Leo Tolstoy

Born into aristocracy in tsarist Russia, by the end of his life Leo Tolstoy had become convinced of the necessity for radical social reform. One of history's most famous novelists, Tolstoy later became a fervent advocate of both pacifism and anarchism, citing the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as inspiration.