Our Commitment to Nonviolence

Since our founding in 2016, LA Forward has been rooted in the belief that organized people can beat organized hate—and that our power comes not just from our numbers, but from how we show up. From the start, we've been committed to non-violence as a guiding principle in everything we do: our protests, our organizing, and our advocacy.

We reject all forms of political violence and intimidation, no matter the source or the target. That’s not just a moral stance—it’s a strategic one. Movements that create lasting change do so by building trust, forging solidarity, and demonstrating discipline, even in the face of threats or attacks.

Non-violence doesn’t mean backing down. It means standing firm in our values, channeling our anger and our hope into action, and refusing to become what we’re fighting against. We are up against a movement that feeds on fear and chaos. Our answer is a movement grounded in courage, solidarity, and the unshakable belief that a better, more just democracy is worth fighting for—together.

Non-violence is our strength.

We are firmly committed to non-violence. That’s not just a moral stance—it’s how we build durable power. We reject political violence and intimidation in all forms. Our resistance is strategic, principled, and grounded in the knowledge that peaceful movements win.

A core principle behind all LA Forward events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. If you are hosting your own event, we expect hosts to ensure all participants in your event uphold this commitment.

LA Forward prohibits carrying or bringing any weapon to a LA Forward event, whether or not the person is licensed to carry a firearm or weapon. Weapons include all guns, knives and other items that may be considered dangerous or that could cause harm. We expect hosts to ensure that all volunteers associated with an event are aware of and adhere to this prohibition. If a volunteer shows up at a LA Forward event with a weapon, the individual must be requested to leave.