Our community training programme ‘Love Is…’ continues in October with an ‘Abolitionist Bystander Intervention Workshop’. This workshop, on Wednesday 14 October, 10am - 2pm, will focus on practical de-escalation skills to safely and actively respond to public intrusions and harassment. Join us to create collective, community-led ways to keep each other safe.

Led by Glasgow-based Bystander Intervention Scotland group, we will explore how and why we can reject the framing of racist incidents as ‘hate crime’, and ways we can intervene when we witness such harm in our communities. Challenging automatic responses such as calling the police or doing nothing, this will be a space to delve into the multitude of alternative responses available to us. 

Participants will be guided through a series of discussions and scenarios that will include role playing. There will be plenty of space for questions, conversation and comfort breaks. 

Content and discussions to include:

• Outlining hate crime legislation
• Introducing an abolitionist framework
• Exploring The 5Ds framework (Direct, Distract, Delegate, Delay, and Document) to respond to incidents
• Enacting interventions as bystanders and community members.

About Bystander Intervention Scotland

Bystander Intervention Scotland is an off-shoot of Glasgow Prisoner Solidarity, working to bring abolitionist bystander training to grassroots groups and workplaces.

Booking

This event is free but numbers are very limited, please let us know you are coming by booking a spot here, or emailing ane@deveron-projects.com or call 01466 794494

Accessibility and travel

• The event is at Deveron Projects offices at The Brander Building, The Square, Huntly, AB54 8BR, Scotland. Level access available via Huntly Library entrance
• Lunch will be provided - do let us know on booking if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.
• The workshop will be lively with up to 15 people participating.

About Love Is...

Love Is... a public training programme focused on community organising. Building more expansive ideas of what love is and can be, Love Is… aims to further a more collaborative and community-wide culture of learning, one that is rooted in generosity and in sharing our resources. What happens when we think of love as an active force, a route to social justice and community connection? What would it mean to approach training as a strong network of organisations and individuals in Huntly, together, as a town?

About the COMMUNITY programme

COMMUNITY asks what does it mean to be in community with others? How do we bridge differences and build coalitions towards shared goals and values? How do we work together in ways that don't replicate harmful systems? How do we hold each other to account and shift power dynamics in our town? Through this work we aim to foster rebellious, empowered and self-determining communities who are equipped to respond to the global polycrisis with empathy, solidarity and a global perspective.