Nine Peaceful Defenders of Headwaters at Redwood Summer: True for Me. Get It Done. Was it Worthy? What Got in the Way?

This study is an inquiry into the lived experience and personal meanings derived from long term commitments to justice towards better visibility and understanding of the community of nonviolence for activists, general public, and theorists of social change. Nine peaceful activists (five men and fourwomen) took part in a series of actions known as the Redwood Summer, intended to protect Californias Pacific northwestern rainforest (c1989-2001). Using a modified grounded theory approach, indepth and semi-structured interviews yielded twenty two sub-level categories under one core category (Truth into Action), two main-level categories (Communion and Meaning and Agency and Efficacy), and four second-level categories (True for Me, Get it Done, Was it Worthy?, and Rock in Stream). The emergent model was compared to and contrasted with existing literature on pragmatism and generativity as related to engaged citizenship. Results suggest that for these activists there is a driving need to work towards environmental and social justice and sustainability for both human and non-human life, reportedly arising from their response to their understanding of world conditions. Acting accordingly, they then assess the worthiness of their actions and recognize obstructing forces. Theoutcome of this process changes their felt truth and resulting actions going forward. These activists demonstrate relentless intention, and related actions to contribute to positive change in the world; and they provide visible exemplars of nonviolence for those who may be interested or are considering engagement in environmental protection. Implications for clinical practice with activists and citizens struggling with effects of climate change, and proposed further research with nonviolent activists are discussed.