Pledge of Resistance

The Pledge of Resistance began in 1984 in response to the threat of U.S. invasion into Nicaragua. The national structure grew as people signed the pledge resisting the U.S. government's policies toward Central America. Signals for actions were sent out from the national center to the local groups whose members committed civil disobedience and protested policies seen as interventionist and repressive. Groups which worked closely with the Pledge included the Inter-Religious Task Force for Central America, the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador, the American Friends Service Committee, and the San Francisco Bay Area's Emergency Response Network, and Bay Area Pledge of Resistance. National Directors were Stephen Slade, Ken Butigan, and Judy Rohrer. Jim Wallis was instrumental in the foundation and early years of the Pledge. Brian Willson was an activist in civil disobedience.