ABSTRACT
Many persistere became available for activism through their early socialization experiences and because they organized their lives for peace action. They were free to develop an activist commitment at a time when opportunities for protest were abundant. Most persistere described themselves as being strongly or very strongly committed to peace and social justice causes, while a few had weaker commitments dictated by advancing age. Organizational leaders were admired by persistere for their fair-mindedness, their commitment to running the organization in a democratic way, and their effort to live in harmony with other principles persisters considered core beliefs. It is important to note that allegiance, a consequence of social bonding, is extended by the activist not only to the movement as a whole, but also to its ideology, organization, leadership, and to the movement community at large. Persistere became a part of the peace community, valued the people in it, and felt the community supported them in their individual efforts.
