Freedom From
Violence™
Invest in Peace
Put a price on violence
The Freedom from Violence Act is a proposed legislative initiative examining the causes, costs, and consequences of violence—and the possibilities for sustained, cooperative action. This is a working discussion draft.
Explore the proposalSupport the workAccount for the costs.
Change the culture.
The draft proposes examining both the costs associated with violence and the economic incentives around products and industries connected to it. Possible responses include an assessment or fee to support active nonviolence. These are proposals for discussion, not established legislative findings. No specific mechanism, legal scope, or legislative sponsor has been confirmed in the materials reviewed.
Make the costs visible.
Explore how to measure harms and evaluate financial incentives. Categories mentioned in the working draft include firearms, toy weapons, movies, and video games; their scope remains subject to legal and evidence review.
Fund active nonviolence.
Consider a potential fee or damage assessment and how it could fund active nonviolence. The mechanism and final policy language remain under development.
A cultural shift
toward nonviolence.
The proposal draws on the anti-smoking movement as a model for making the public costs of an industry visible and changing cultural expectations.
A companion constitutional amendment is also discussed in the source draft. We welcome input from participants, partner organizations, and community members as the proposal takes shape.
This is a proposal for discussion and legislative development, not a description of an enacted law.
A conversation for advocates.
The source draft was developed by Thomas Harens with Karen Olson Johnson. It is preserved below for reference. Final public-facing wording, organizational roles, and endorsements remain subject to confirmation by Karen and the organizers.
Read the draft to explore the mission, implications and legislative elements of the Act and a companion constitutional amendment.
Download the September source draftDownload the original handoutHelp move the
conversation forward.
Contact the organizers to discuss the proposal and ways to help. Contact information →
Support Twin Cities Nonviolent
Visit the organization’s official donation page to support its work for active nonviolence.
Donate to Twin Cities NonviolentFreedom from Violence is a project of Twin Cities Nonviolent (TCNV) and Gang of Voices. For donations and other questions, contact Karen Olson Johnson, Executive Director of TCNV. Payments are handled on the organization’s donation page. Twin Cities Nonviolent is a 501(c)(3) organization.
Be a Culture Shifter.
Help shift the culture of violence. Explore outreach, research, legislative advocacy, creative projects and general volunteer work.
Download the volunteer cardPrint two cards per sheetEditable Word card
Join the conversation.
Karen Olson Johnson
Executive Director, Twin Cities Nonviolent
KarenOlsonJohnson@gmail.com
Thomas Harens
Freedom from Violence Act
1stLiberalCafe@gmail.com