Breakdown of Conflict Transmission 131 secessionists as corrupting and co-opting. As a result, the only public antiregime movements in operation before the Arab Spring did not remain part of the broader nationalist cause for long. 4.2.5 Contestation over Preexisting Yemeni Groups and Organizations As a result of fears of co-optation and the problem of regional Yemeni politics, no preexisting Yemeni organizations were converted to the revolutionary cause by their leaders (see Table 4.3). Instead, the organizers of functioning diaspora empowerment and social organizations discussed in Chapter 2, including the Yemeni Community Associations in Britain and the American Association of Yemeni Scientists and Professionals, worked to insulate their organizations from the effects of the revolution. Because YCA leaders considered homecountry politics as toxic to the work of diaspora empowerment organizations, they reported making the strategic decision to enforce a no-politics rule during the revolution. Respondents argued that they were required to adhere to bylaws stipulating a nonpolitical mission and as necessary to maintain their organizations’ legitimacy and service provision. As Saleh of the Sandwell YCA recalled, Our response as a management committee, of which I’m a part, is that, look, this is a free country here, and we want a free country in Yemen. You go and do what you want as an individual, but not under the banner of the Yemeni Community Association. Because table 4.3. Yemeni groups and organizations converted to the revolution and/or relief during the 2011 Arab Spring, as reported by respondents Diaspora Group/Organization Converted to the Rebellion and/or Relief? USA South Yemeni American Association American Association of Yemeni Scientists and Professionals Yemeni American Association of Bay Ridge No No No Britain TAJ – Southern Democratic Assembly National Board of South Yemen Yemen Forum Foundation Yemeni Youth Association Yemeni Community Association, Birmingham Yemeni Community Association, Sandwell Yemeni Community Association, Liverpool Yemeni Community Association, Sheffield Yemeni Migrant Workers Organisation Yemen Refuge Organisation Yemeni Education and Relief Organisation No No No No No No No No No No No https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009272148 Published online by Cambridge University Press