Our mission is violated whenever we fail to take all possible steps to reduce the pain of anyone who is or has been connected with our organization. Non-Violence Rittenhouse has as it's core values respect for others, consensus decision making and a desire for actions and outcomes that are healing and transformative in nature. This directly contrasts any violent process. Violence can be done by individuals or collectives. It can be institutionalized and systematic.
Violence can be physical, emotional and spiritual.
This applies also where violence has been used as a tool to even out resources or to overturn unjust structures. Ultimately violence may lead to some form of justice being achieved in the short term, but there will be damage which will persist into the long term. However Transformative Justice inherently is an active, creative, considered healing response to violence. Seeking non-violent solutions does not require any less commitment, courage or fortitude than violent options do. Rittenhouse seeks to work in non-violent ways.