De-Escalation training
Peace Ambassadors help to keep marches and demonstrations peaceful and safe. They're usually the friendly, diplomatic type who can respond calmly in tense situations. Please note that while anyone can take our training, we are especially interested in training Peace Ambassadors willing to serve on our Gandhi Peace Team at various actions in the greater San Jose area. We have a strict and unwavering commitment to nonviolence, explicitly condemning any form of violence, threats, or property destruction.
The Gandhi Team provides both scheduled and on-demand, online and in-person de-escalation training for interested groups and individuals.​ Three levels of training include theory and practice:
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Foundational nonviolent principles that serve as the grounding for nonviolent action; e.g., seeing nonviolence as a form of constructive conflict and active love, as a way of life for courageous people, and as a way to understand and move toward partnership that demonstrates reverence for dignity and life.
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De-escalation skills, techniques, and tactics, including CLARA, distance, delay, delegation, documentation, interpositioning, peeling away, and enlisting allies.
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Role-play activities that include the types of scenarios that we are most likely to encounter.
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Discussion and debriefs.
Watch a 30-minute, on-demand
de-escalation recording by the Gandhi Team.
Attend a 3-hour, in-person training that includes de-escalation role-play and other activities. Please watch the Level 1 video (above) before attending.
Attend a 2-hour, in-person training that covers traffic control, assessing threats, communication protocols, requesting medics, and other advanced scenarios. ​
This training is only for those who have/will serve with the Gandhi Peace Team in San Jose. To serve with us, you must complete all 3 levels of training, as well as read and acknowledge our Safety Protocols and sign a liability release.​​ ​​
Calendar
Level 2 Training
Level 3 Training
Need private training for your group?
We can schedule a private training for a minimum of 15 participants. Please email us at nonviolence.ganhi@gmail.com to inquire. All training is free. Donations are welcome.
Those trained may end up serving in the capacity of a safety or demonstration marshal. The Gandhi Team invites individuals to serve as Peace Ambassadors on our peace team only if they demonstrate the disposition and skills required to serve effectively in the role and if they are local to the broader San Jose area.
When they serve with the Gandhi Team, Peace Ambassadors are expected to abide by our code of conduct and safety protocols. Individuals who violate them may be asked to step down as a Peace Ambassador, either temporarily or permanently, and to return their branded vest.
Outside the Gandhi Team, anyone trained in de-escalation or bystander intervention may choose to serve as a safety person. If they choose to do so, we provide general best practices (in a section below) to help them remain safe and effective.