Spring Assembly 2025

“Strengthening Our Nonviolent Movement
in This Time of Chaos”

The Spring Assembly recording is now available at https://youtu.be/5NK8swaX5wQ

You can skip to various segments with the links below

Great thanks to Bruce Pruitt-Hamm and David Lambert for overcoming some unusual technical glitches that occurred this Spring Assembly

Resource list:

David Lambert, Chair of the Planning Committee, compiled a list of resources related to the Spring Assembly topics; it is available at https://wwfor.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Resources-on-Social-Movements-and-Nonviolence.pdf

Saturday May 17, 2025
9 am to 12 noon Pacific time
Zoom
Online Registration https://wwfor2025sa.brownpapertickets.com/
(more options below)

Quick scroll to Registration Schedule Flyer

In the current political and societal turmoil, all of us are affected in many ways. We may feel powerlessness, grief, or rage – or all of these in turns. These are understandable reactions to what some have termed an administrative coup by the Trump Administration. Yet we may also feel hope and community as we resist injustice and cruelty. Together, let us consider what kind of nonviolent actions are most effective when our democratic norms and processes are being trampled. 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

This year’s Spring Assembly Keynote Speaker will be Dr. Stephen Zunes, speaking on “Authoritarianism and Resistance: What the World Can Teach Us.” Stephen is a Professor of Politics and Global Studies at the University of San Francisco, where he serves as coordinator of Middle Eastern Studies and the incoming director of USF’s Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice. He is a renowned scholar specializing in U.S. foreign policy, pro-democracy struggles, and strategic nonviolent action.

Some of Stephen’s recent attention has been to what he has called the “slow moving coup” in the United States, and on resisting authoritarianism. You can learn more about Stephen’s work at his website, https://stephenzunes.org/. We encourage you to join us for what is bound to be a stimulating and rich learning experience.

Prof. Stephen Zunes

YOUTH ACTIVIST PANEL

We will also be joined by the seven 2024-2025 Mike Yarrow Peace Fellows pictured below. This program is for youth activists aged 14 through 23 who get training in nonviolence and mentorship on their individual activist projects. The 2024-2025 cohort started last summer. WWFOR is now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 cohort through June 1. Anyone considering applying for the program is welcome to attend the Spring Assembly to get a taste of the variety of projects. See our MYPF webpage at https://wwfor.org/mike-yarrow-peace-fellowship-4/.

PREVIOUS MYPF’S IN THE PROGRAM!

We are so happy that former Mike Yarrow Peace Fellows are still involved with WWFOR, and 3 of them are playing important roles in the Spring Assembly!

  • Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm has been a MYPF fellow, MYPF program coordinator, and board member. Also an accomplished musician and songwriter, she will be providing the musical segments of the program.
  • Dwija Adamala was a MYPF fellow and is currently studying computer science and serving as the MYPF Co-coordinator. She will be moderating the Youth Activist panel
  • Vindhya Adamala will be our tech host. This is a role she has taken on at several past WWFOR Zoom conferences.
Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm will provide music
Dwija Adamala will moderate the Youth Activist panel
Vindhya Adamala will be our tech host

Many ways to register – your choice!

Online registration: go to https://wwfor2025sa.brownpapertickets.com/

Postal, email, or phone: Just submit your name, phone number, and email address (if available) to WWFOR, 225 N 70th St, Seattle WA 98117, wwfor@wwfor.org, or 206-789-5565. If making a donation, it can be done via the online site, or checks may be mailed to us.

[Note added 5/8/2025 – it’s late for postal registration! Please phone or email as well so we can get you the Zoom info.]

Suggested $0-20 donation.  All are welcome regardless of ability to pay.   

Schedule (subject to changes)

8:45 Participants enter Zoom space:
9:00: Welcome: Tech Info, Land Acknowledgement, Intro Keynote Speaker
9:15: Keynote Address
9:50: Q & A begins
10:15: Discussion Groups
10:50: Break
10:55: Music: by Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm
11:05: Panel: MYPF
11:50: Music by Kaeley Pruitt-Hamm
12:00: End of Spring Assembly
12:00: Optional Informal Discussion begins
12:45: Informal Discussion ends

Click on flyer image to view or download the Spring Assembly flyer in pdf form.

Info 206-789-5565 or wwfor@wwfor.org.

Information and select recordings of presentations from previous spring assemblies:

2024 | 2023  |  2022  |  2021  |  2020