Civil Disobedience Examples

Civil disobedience has been used to peacefully protest for change for decades. The idea that it is acceptable to rebel against injustice is one that is fundamental to the very start of our nation. The American Revolution, while not a non-violent rebellion, is an example of fighting for something that is believed to be right. It is from here that the idea of civil disobedience stemmed, and from here which it grew. Henry David Thoreau illustrated the need for civil disobedience when he said, “The authority of government… [,] to be strictly just must have the consent of the governed.” The changes that have been brought about by this kind of peaceful protest have changed our world for the better. I believe that civil disobedience is something that

Would you have ever thought that disobeying against the law would make the world a better place? Back in the 1920’s and early 1960’s, African Americans had to go to separate schools then that of white people. Blacks had separate water fountains, seats on the bus, and were treated as second class citizens. Those who weren’t white suffered the consequences of a matter they couldn’t control; however, they fought back with civil disobedience. Civil disobedience is fighting against the laws in a respectful and peaceful manner (Suber). This form of action was used to speak up for a community who was suffering and only wanted to live as everyone else. Civil disobedience is a protest that says “we only want peace”.

Civil disobedience is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as "a refusal to obey governmental commands especially as a nonviolent means of protest."(Jacobus) We can see an example of this in U.S. history, when this theory was applied during the Civil Right Movement. The laws back then restricted African Americans from being able to attend public schools or use public restrooms that were designated as "white only." Even though they had paid taxes like everyone else, these types of segregation laws targeted minorities and made them second-rate citizens. Martin Luther King, who was sincere in exposing

What is civil disobedience? Civil disobedience is the opposing of a law one finds unjust by refusing to follow it and accepting the consequences. So many people have performed acts of civil disobedience from Martin Luther King Jr. to everyday people. But what people did as civil disobedience a hundred years ago is completely different today. It is such an important part of a free society because it helps to define what a free society is, shows the true meaning of freedom of speech, and shows the government that citizens are not willing to follow an unjust law without violence.

Civil disobedience is the refusal to conform to a society or a set of laws. Civil disobedience has come a long way from its beginning. It has been developing and will continue for generations to come, as it is considered a duty of a person. The opinions and beliefs of civil disobedience cultured in our society by both Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. are still present in our modern-day society; nevertheless, these opinions and beliefs still need to be expanded in order to keep up with the fast-growing population.

While growing up, our parents taught us what was right and what was wrong based on their beliefs and views. When we were younger, we were taught to follow and obey those who were older than us and possessed a higher authoritative status. One’s reasoning for being obedient includes: religious beliefs, background, and work ethics. Civil disobedience played a large role in America. Creating protests, riots, and sit-ins, America had many examples of disobedience. In America, we value our rights as citizens and individuals. We have the right to protest as stated in the first amendment of the United States Constitution, which is called Freedom of Speech. According to the Webster Dictionary, civil disobedience is said to be “the refusal to obey government demands or commands and nonresistance to consequent arrest and punishment.” Citizens are willing to accept the legal consequences associated with their disobedient actions. How does the law respond to people who engage in civil disobedience? Fining and jail time are the legal consequences enforced by authority but also there is a trend of change. I believe civil disobedience is justified simply by your own personal beliefs and the rights you attain as a citizen. The law is the law, if you disobey; the authoritative figure is responsible for giving a consequence.

Throughout history Civil Disobedience has had nothing but positive impacts for our nation. The people are trying to improve the government the only way they know how. In 1847 Henry David Thoreau, a philosopher, wrote in his essay on civil disobedience “I ask, for not at once no government, but at once a better government.” A great example for a leap for rights would be the Montgomery Bus Boycott. On December 5th of 1955, African Americans took a vow not to take the bus as a silent and peaceful protest for segregation seating, this lasted 381 days. Finally, the U.S Supreme Court integrated their bus system. The boycott was only the start of the American Civil Rights Movement. Segregation was a big problem that we don't see much these days because people

America was founded on a principle of civil disobedience. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Founding Fathers set forth a powerful precedent. The Declaration said in part, that when institutions of government becomes destructive or abusive of unalienable rights, it is the right of the people to alter it or to abolish it. The history of our nation tells us that civil disobedience is a civic responsibility, and in the alleged words of Thomas Jefferson, “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism”. From the Boston Tea Party to the Stonewall Riots, the United States Constitution and advances in racial, social, and gender equality support the idea that peaceful resistance positively contributes to a freer society, and a more equitable America.

Have you ever heard of civil disobedience? It is a way of peaceful protest that has been used successfully in the past and in the present. Walkouts, boycotts, and marches are all forms of civil disobedience that have been used and are currently being used. During past four years, there have been women's rights marches, pro-choice marches, and kneeling during the national anthem. These are people that are actively trying to create a fair society themselves and for the people around them. As the real world awaits, civil disobedience is a way to live in a fair society, preserve independence, and refine your moral compass.

According to Martin Luther King Jr., it is a person’s moral obligation to protest a law that is unjust. We not only have the right to peaceful resistance, we have a responsibility to fight back against what is wrong. One should never have to sit by while injustice occurs or be forced to comply with a law they think is unfair or inequitable. Looking back in history books, we can see many examples of civil disobedience throughout the years that have resulted in more rights and privileges being granted to certain groups with the sole purpose of moving towards equality. For

The police were called out in full force every night there after and there was a curfew put on the city. Despite the government intervention the people continued to protest for several nights going forward, although the protest were non violent and helpful in the push for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) to release police body cams that showed the shooting of Mr. Scott. When the people were non violent people genuinely looked at the issues at hand as opposed to doubting the validity based on actions. The actions of protestors brought to light how they felt as a people and helped get police and the community talking. I believe that civil unrest when non violent is a great expression of how you feel or what you think although when it turns violent it causes the audience to loose sight of the issue at hand. Peaceful resistance to laws is necessary and positively impacts free society. Even if a person disagrees with the issues at hand each person deserves the right to express themselves and be heard. Opposing the law doesn't mean breaking it although it does mean questioning what is wrong and discriminatory and bring to light things that need to change. I will continue to support peaceful Civil Disobedience

Civil Disobedience is a practice that's being used as far back as times of discrimination against blacks in the south. Even though slavery had been completely gotten rid of in the United States, the south still hated blacks with a passion. This led to the creation of Jim Crow laws, laws that looked as though they were helping blacks but really hurt them. Blacks had finally had enough and decided they would try and get equal rights one way or another, so they started politely disobeying the laws. In the 50's, a black man named Homer Adolph Plessy sat in a white train car because of the law he heard about, "Equal protection under the law" and he was arrested for doing so. This led to the creation of the "Separate but Equal" law.

Tariq Ali once said, “It was Civil Disobedience that won them their civil rights.” He said this quote regarding the negroes trying to get civil rights. Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey certain laws or governmental demands for the purpose of influencing legislation or government policy, characterized by the employment of such nonviolent techniques as boycotting, picketing, and nonpayment of taxes (Dictionary.com). In three separate cases civil disobedience was used and in both cases civil disobedience was appropriate. The first case was in “Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau” where he uses civil disobedience and does not pay for a tax he does not believe in.

Why we do obey the law? According to philosopher Peter Singer, there are good reasons for obeying the law. But, he also argues, there are times when it acceptable to disobey law. Law are made to be obey, but in some cases people beliefs that there are exception where unjust laws sometimes can be disobey. Singer gives two arguments in favor of obeying laws.

Civil disobedience is a form of political participation because it is a way make others see that change is wanted. In the Constitution it says “the right of the people peaceably to assemble”. The Constitution gives the people the right to protest, assemble peacefully, to oppose a law, and to criticize a law. Civil disobedience is the best way to show that you don’t agree with a law, government, or there is something you would like to protest.