Spiritual Forum

During times of conflict and political or religious civil unrest, the power of the human spirit’s capacity for non-violent protest and kindness still shines through.

Alberto Casillas, instantly became a national celebrity in Spain when he protected a group of youths who were protesting against the government’s austerity measures. The police were beating and attacking protestors who then ran into Casillas’s cafe for protection. When the police demanded he let them enter, he stood against them, with absolutely no weapons or way to defend himself and said, ”On my Life, you will not enter! It will be a massacre.”

Ukrainian girl giving sandwiches to protesters

This is the aftermath of a very sweet moment between a General and a protester in Brazil. Upon seeing what looked to be an impending conflict, the general made a simple request. “Do not fight, please. Not on my birthday.” How did the protesters respond? By not fighting, for starters but they went a step further and made the man a cake.

Caring citizens offer tea to British riot police [London, England, 2011]

A Ukrainian protester plays piano on a barricade in front of the riot police line, Monday, Feb. 10, 2014

October 2013, Pakistan – Muslims form Human chain to protect Christians during Lahore mass

Bogota, Colombia – A demonstrator embraces a riot police officer during a student protest against government plans to reform higher education.

An African-American minister, Shun Abram, confronts a Klu Klux Klan protestor calmly, strongly, and peacefully.

Riot police walk in the street as Coquitlam-raised Alexandra Thomas, 25, and her Australian boyfriend Scott Jones, 30 kiss on June 15, 2011 in Vancouver, Canada.

A group of Israeli women illegally brought some of their Palestinian female friends from the southern part of the West Bank into Israel for a day in the sun. The Palestinian women went in disguise, which meant removing clothes and not covering up.

February 2011, Egypt Christians join hands to protect Muslims as they pray during Cairo protests

June 22, 1996 – Then 18-year-old Keshia Thomas of Ann Arbor shields a man wearing a Confederate T-shirt from an angry crowd during a Ku Klux Klan rally outside Ann Arbor’s city hall.

Jan. 22, 2014 – An Orthodox priest tries to stop a clash between protesters and the police in the center of Kiev, Ukraine.

Woman successfully defends a group of cornered riot officers from angry protesters [Bogotá, Colombia, 2013]

1983 – Austin, Texas.This policeman protects KKK members during a rally as protestors were closing in on them.

Citizens band together to clean up the mess following London riots [London, England, 2011]

Photo of a priest attempting to stop a rioter from throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police – Ukraine

Man sits playing piano to riot police. Ukraine – December 2013

An anti-government protester gives a rose to a Thai soldier at the Defense Ministry during a rally in Bangkok.

A Romanian child hands a heart-shaped balloon to riot police during protests against austerity measures in Bucharest.

Brazilian protester carrying an injured officer to safety [São Paulo, Brazil, 2012]

During Protests in Manila, Philippines, Police Officer 1 Sevilla tries to hold his tears but simply can’t. With no proper rest, no proper meal and a violent protest being dispersed violently and with extreme exhaustion, he still stood his ground.

Priest defending rioters from police forces, Kiev, Ukraine.

Arlington Virginia, 1967 – Flower Power during the Vietnam war protests.

The iconic photo of Tank Man, the unknown rebel who stood in front of a column of Chinese tanks in an act of defiance after the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Woman defends a wounded protester from a military bulldozer [Egypt, 2013]

Child touches his reflection during a KKK demonstration [Georgia, USA, 1992]

An Iranian police officer is protected by civilians after being beaten by rioters [Tehran, Iran, 2009]

A Turkish protestor plays guitar for police [Turkey, 2011]

Riot police help a woman affected by tear gas [Ankara, Turkey, 2013]

Girl hands water to two officers [Bosnia, 2013]

Mourners form a 5-mile barrier between a soldier’s funeral and the Westboro Baptist Church [USA, 2012]

Protesters help a dog affected by tear gas [Istanbul, Turkey, 2013]

Occupy protesters help a woman in a wheelchair escape teargas [Oakland, USA, 2011]

Egyptians embrace army soldiers after they refuse orders to fire on civilians [Cairo, Egypt, 2011]