Ten Commandments of Noncooperation

When the Nazis invaded Denmark in 1940, the Danes had a choice. They could comply or they could be defiant. As ICE enters neighborhoods, disregarding due process, snatching neighbors and children off the streets, holding people in heinous conditions, we have the opportunity to comply or the opportunity to be brave. 

Over the last year, and as we start 2026, we have witnessed incredible bravery and defiance. Nonviolence asks us to hold two hands, one that offers love and reception, and the other that says stop – I will not let this violence occur. From LA to Chicago to Charlotte to Memphis to Minneapolis we have watched as people have chosen to be brave, to be creative, to say “no, we will not accept this.” And as we collectively grieve Renee Nicole Good, we know this is not without risk. 

Cincinnati resistance is alive and well; neighbors are reaching out to neighbors building networks to protect their communities. Many groups across our city are establishing mutual aid networks. Hundreds of people are attending trainings, building whistle kits, and more. 

After the invasion, the Danish government thought that it would be best to cooperate with the Nazis – that this was the best way to keep everyone safe. But the people said no. Hundreds of thousands gathered to sing songs and from there they grew resistance networks. Through a variety of noncooperation tactics they resisted and pushed back against Nazi occupation, including successfully protecting their Jewish population. 

During this time, a Danish teen established the 10 Commandments for Danes:

1. You must not go to work in Germany and Norway. 
2. You shall do a bad job for the Germans. 
3. You shall work slowly for the Germans. 
4. You shall destroy important machines and tools. 
5. You shall destroy everything which may be of benefit to the Germans. 
6. You shall delay all transport. 
7. You shall boycott German and Italian films and papers. 
8. You must not shop at Nazis’ stores. 
9. You shall treat traitors for what they are worth.      
10. You shall protect anyone chased by the Germans.

“Join the struggle for the freedom of Denmark!”

These commandments became a guide for defiance. To defeat authoritarianism we must be defiant and remain nonviolent. We need to continue the narrative that this is not okay and we will not accept this. We need to share stories of resistance. We need to continue to hold one another and invite others in.

As we move forward into 2026, we are ready to provide training and resources on noncooperation. Consider these “10 Commandments” – a place we can start as individuals – as we are continuing to build resistance:

Your next question after reading those “10 Commandments” might be: but how? If it feels overwhelming, you can start with just one. Authoritarians want to instill fear and make us feel very alone. So one of the most important things we can do is to build solidarity and to know our neighbors. Start by introducing yourself to someone on your next walk or throw a block party. 

Some commandments might take some research – like finding out which tech companies are complicit in profiting from deportations and ICE activity. You can find more resources on confronting institutional power here. There are a number of mutual aid groups in the area to join – Triiibe Foundation, Black Power Initiative, Cincy Food Not Bombs, Coalition for Community Safety, and more – show up to their next event. Calls for strikes will continue to grow and you can start preparing by looking at this guide or thinking through how you might be able to help others who will strike with rent support, meal trains and more. Noncooperation is one of the greatest tools in our nonviolent toolbox to defeat authoritarianism. Additionally, Ignite Peace will share more resources and trainings on noncooperation. 

Authoritarians want to divide us, they want us to think that there is no hope. When we come together, when we trust each other, when we resist, we can win.