Commonweal is an educational organisation which inspires, informs and connects those involved in movements for nonviolent social change through a unique collection of books, pamphlets and journals, alongside events, discussion groups and outreach. https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3mcwcwqhgc22xOur book of the month is Friends in Common, by Joel White and Laura C Foster, and our most recent blog post shares some reflections on the book from our Collection Development Worker. https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/reflections-on-our-book-of-the-month-friends-in-common21 Jan 2026 09:05 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcwcwqhgc22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m6kbs6yxbc2fLots of great books for sale at the Commonweal booksale today. We'll be selling more books at our stall at the Peace and Craft Fair at Victoria Hall, Saltaire on Saturday 10.00 - 4.00. See you there! ☮️☮️☮️26 Nov 2025 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6kbs6yxbc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m5jifu7f7s2bAt our Living Library today we had three "books", all people who care passionately about libraries, sharing a personal experience or perspective on what libraries mean to them. Our "readers" all agreed that they were inspired by hearing from the "books". #LivingLibraries13 Nov 2025 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5jifu7f7s2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m4sogt7evc23Today Emma was at our regular stall at the University, asking students what libraries mean to them. They said: - A safe space to be able to be able to think and immerse myself with the smell of books. - Somewhere that is more than just a place for books - a place for reading, chilling and more.04 Nov 2025 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4sogt7evc23https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m4b35xbkpk2lAn A to Z of just some of the 1,700 magazines, newsletters, bulletins and journals in the Collection can now be found on the Commonweal website https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/periodicals-gallery28 Oct 2025 13:49 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m4b35xbkpk2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m35fcwopzk2iWe danced for a better world! The ceilidh on Sunday was a night of spirited music, community, and dancing. Thank you so much to Ey Up Klezmer for the wonderful music, Fiona for calling the dances, Jack for the sound, the Saltaire Bar for hosting us and everyone who joined in so enthusiastically 💃14 Oct 2025 09:15 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m35fcwopzk2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m22hc7hh3s2z💥We're recruiting! The Commonweal Trust is looking for a Collection Development Worker to join our team. More information and how to apply on our website at: https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/come-and-work-with-us30 Sep 2025 11:47 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m22hc7hh3s2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3m22c7qxhgc25🎶 Our theme in September has been music - how it acts as a powerful tool by unifying people and building solidarity, helping to raise morale and give a voice to marginalised communities. These are just a few of the many songs that communicate messages of protest, hope & resistance 🎶 bit.ly/470VU3g http://bit.ly/470VU3g30 Sep 2025 10:16 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3m22c7qxhgc25https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lzipqzfwbk2w🎶This coming Sunday why not join Commonweal for a workshop on the role of music within social change movements?🎶 As part of HONK! Bradford, a festival of activist and community streetbands there will be a series of FREE workshops open to all. Link for more info and booking in comments below.23 Sep 2025 10:30 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lzipqzfwbk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lykfzel4rc2tIn the current political climate, the wealth of wisdom contained in the Collection is needed more than ever. Our Annual Report reflects a time of global uncertainty, increasing authoritarianism and rising right-wing populist politics, and what we are doing in response. bit.ly/4608qzR https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/commonweal-trust-annual-report-2024-202511 Sep 2025 09:16 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lykfzel4rc2thttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lxc2c5iglk2rCommonweal Ceilidh with the wonderful Ey Up Klezmer! Sunday 12th October 6.30-10.00pm Join us at the Saltaire Bar BD18 3HN(formerly the Shipley and District Social Club) for an evening of dancing and a buffet. Help us help activists build a better world! https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/commonweal/t-zzegjql26 Aug 2025 08:00 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lxc2c5iglk2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lw7itxfvkk2yCRAFTIVIST WORKSHOP! Wednesday 13th August 1.00pm - 2.30pm at Room 0.17 in the JB Priestley Library, ground floor, University of Bradford, Richmond Road, BD7 1DP. Hear about the history of craftivism, how it's a form of activism & have a go at crafting an olive branch as a symbol of peace.12 Aug 2025 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lw7itxfvkk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lvav5xbi5k25The old and the new! We have just received a wonderful donation of books about South Asia, pre- and post- independence, along with other books about empire, colonialism and slavery. Thank you so much Barry Pavier.31 Jul 2025 10:05 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lvav5xbi5k25https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lv3xxuufcs27There are so many wonderful pamphlets in the Commonweal Collection, covering a huge range of topics - from student protest to the animal liberation freedom struggle, from anarchists to feminists, from theory to practice. Drop us a message if you would like to help us with our summer stocktake 😊29 Jul 2025 11:12 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lv3xxuufcs27https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3luagemxctc2wCollection workdays - this summer! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/commonweal1/178578518 Jul 2025 12:15 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3luagemxctc2whttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3ltjkwhimfc2kWhen we ask people what gives them the resolve to keep campaigning, people often refer to past protests that succeeded such as the campaign against the Poll Tax - a mass movement that defied the state and won. This, and many other books about successful campaigns, are available in the Collection💥09 Jul 2025 10:05 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltjkwhimfc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lthd2jw5h22nBanner making workshop at Commonweal this morning. Some great ideas for designs and motifs expressing participants' desire for peace and justice across the world. Thank you to the workshop leader Mussarat Rahman, and all the people who came and helped. #Craftivism #PeaceAndJustice08 Jul 2025 12:39 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lthd2jw5h22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lt2dvvhxkc2hSo interesting to visit the Working Class Movement Library in Salford, a radical library enabling working class people to learn from and interpret their history so they can apply a class perspective to contemporary politics and economics. Looking forward to future collaborations!03 Jul 2025 08:50 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lt2dvvhxkc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lsgg4ch5sc27Lovely to have Bridget Sojourner visit Commonweal today. Bridget was a Peace Studies student in Bradford in the 1980s when she was a regular protestor at Menwith Hill US Air Base. She was delighted to know that there are still regular protests happening at the US base.25 Jun 2025 10:36 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsgg4ch5sc27https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lrum2qzfbk2tRead about how stories and poems in the Commonweal Collection address the barriers to peace and the denial processes in which we engage in a world filled with war, and help us navigate a world in conflict in this blog by volunteer Josie Mulligan. https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/talking-of-the-danger18 Jun 2025 08:35 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrum2qzfbk2thttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lrsoz7iyec27💥New shelving being installed as the Collection continues to grow. Thank you to our wonderful colleagues at the JB Priestley Library for your help to make this happen.17 Jun 2025 14:22 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrsoz7iyec27https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lo4dd5itmk22💥Opportunity💥 Commonweal are looking for new Trustees who share our values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better. Fins out more: https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become-a-trustee-of-the-commonweal-trust #SocialChange #Peace #Commonweal01 May 2025 12:39 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo4dd5itmk22https://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lnx6by2b3k2hCommonweal recently held its first nonviolent direct action reading group at The Peace Museum. Read the brilliant blog by Ludi Simpson, activist & group participant summarising session one. Can books inspire or just inform? Let us know your thoughts. https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/what-readings-have-inspired-you29 Apr 2025 11:25 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnx6by2b3k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lnwya3ml422wThe conflict in the DRC is long running and complex. Join Bradford Congo Campaign and the Peace Society this Wednesday to find out more about the challenges faced during decades of war. And if you would like to read about the history of the conflict, do get in touch 📚29 Apr 2025 09:37 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnwya3ml422whttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lnkeccmuuk2dIn the Leeds Sanctuary podcast Outreach Worker Emma talks about the Bristol bus boycott in response to black and brown people not being employed by the Bristol omnibus company. Read more about the boycott in Memoirs of a Black Englishman by Paul Stephenson, available to borrow from the Collection.24 Apr 2025 09:08 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnkeccmuuk2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lnkcyhaho22d💥How have activists stood up to power and won? Listen to Outreach Worker Emma talking about the campaigns that have inspired her in her activist journey in this new podcast from Leeds Sanctuary. https://soundcloud.com/leedssanctuary/justice-the-commonweal-trust24 Apr 2025 08:45 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lnkcyhaho22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lmywogyyuc2gA peace camp at RAF Lakenheath is protesting plans to reintroduce US nuclear missiles to the UK. The right to protest and the history of campaigning for nuclear disarmament feature in many of our books, including Angie Zelter's most recent book - Activism for Life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8XYXDOe5Ec17 Apr 2025 10:49 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmywogyyuc2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lmuacr7hw22u📌Our new NVDA Reading Group starts this Thursday at The Peace Museum and will consider how writers over the decades have assessed the success, failures and potential of nonviolent direct action. There are just a couple of places left - register here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/commonweal1/162795215 Apr 2025 13:58 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmuacr7hw22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/commonwealuk.bsky.social/post/3lmtmyhxfbs22📣 We are looking for new Trustees who share the Commonweal Trust’s values and who are interested in the power of peace and nonviolence to change our world for the better. https://www.commonwealnonviolence.org/blogs/become-a-trustee-of-the-commonweal-trust15 Apr 2025 08:13 +0000at://did:plc:px42e4wysgw6ewhfaiftgxlt/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmtmyhxfbs22