Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. America itself was built on the concept of adapting to meet the changing needs of society; its government outline was created so that the people could change laws when they needed to be changed, although the process is slow so as to avoid laws that are poorly thought out or do not represent the views of most American citizens. At several points in American history, there are times where only a few groups were fairly represented in government, and therefore, the needs of all the people were not represented accurately and we could not get the change we needed to happen. This is where civil disobedience comes into play - by peacefully and respectfully disobeying unjust laws that oppress American citizens, we get the attention of government officials who can do something to change the laws and right the wrongs that have been committed. Some well-known examples of this are the Women’s Suffrage movement and the Civil Right movement, as well as some recent examples, such as the Standing Rock protesters. By using peaceful protesting, we draw attention to injustices and garner the support and strength to say “no more”.
Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. Looking back at examples from history, without Rosa Parks, the Woman’s Suffrage Movement, or Martin Luther King Jr., the society we live in would be extremely different. Civil disobedience continues to contributes a huge positive impact on the world we live in today.
In my opinion, peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. The whole point of a "free society" is where the people have a say and are able to stand up for what they believe in. If a law seems unjust to them, they should have the right to protest it or disobey it, as long as it is done peacefully. Martin Luther King is one of the most influential leaders in history. Without his non-violent protests and civil disobedience, the unjust laws of segregation might still be in place. One of my favorite quotes from MLK's "Letter From Birmingham Jail" is when
Each act of disobedience directs attention towards a specific idea, and prompts the society to talk about it. It also gives licesnse for the liberated members of that society to form their own opinions about the idea. Since the protest harms no one, save the individual who is willing to face the consequences of breaking the law in question. It does not infringe on any other individual's rights. Peaceful resistance to laws has a positive impact on a free society since it educates that society's members and may lead to more liberty for them, which would create a freer
Though, I feel strongly that no law should be broken, I do see purpose in the peaceful disobedience provided you are willing to suffer the consequences. Therefore I would have to agree that it positively impacts a free society. We are all under strict laws and it is our freedom to either obey or not, with the latter resulting in consequence. Take for instance, the protest against injustice, the harmless act that took place in the Negro movement with Martin L. King. Not to mention the fact pointed out in Arguments against Civil Disobedience, sums up the fact that if we do not argue a point, another point would never be made. Not all situations are to be defended but some should. It is like a growth among us, which completely leads me to disagree with (as mentioned in the attacks), self-law making. There must be a form of discussion taking place (within certain levels of citizens) in order to advance in changes to laws as they were originally written. That is what makes us a free society.
I believe that peaceful resistance to laws both positively and negatively impacts a free society. Civil disobedience is the refusal to obey certain laws and government demands one considers unjust, and accepting the consequences. The first amendment prohibits Congress to enact any law that would intervene with any person's civil rights. Though everybody knows this, why are there discussions about what people can and cannot refuse to do. Some people refuse to do things because it goes against their faith, which as stated earlier is allowed according to the first amendment. While others refuse to see what is right in front of them, in the very center of the Declaration of Independence.
A peaceful resistance to laws positively impact the society because in the first amendment it authorizes "the right of the people peaceably to assemble". If the society were not able to protest, how would that be a free society?. Freedom of speech is the first thing a person has and can do with out being punished for. Just as Thomas Jefferson said, "If a law is unjust, a man is not only right to disobey it, he is obligated to do so". Anyone can come forward and protest for what they believe in. Many people do believe civil disobedience is wrong and causes many to hold back their own opinions or ideas, but people must remember that it is okay to do.Its positive in many ways to stand for what is right just in a peaceful manner because once it
Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts our free society. It allows us to make our voices heard and spread a message if there is a law that we find is either unfair or goes against our protected freedoms. Peaceful resistance has helped our country grow on multiple occasions. It has always been a part of our countries history and is well protected by our First Amendment rights. Due to this, There is little to know doubt that peaceful resistance has positively effected the lives of many Americans.
Thomas Jefferson clearly stated in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Exactly what Jefferson meant by Liberty in this statement was unclear and has been subject of great debate over the years. There is further examination of the use of the word Liberty in the U.S. Constitution. It was stated in Amendment I, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.” Therefore, by Constitutional law, it is legal to exercise ones right of peaceful civil disobedience. I believe peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. This is due to the fact that it exercises the rights we are given in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Two documents that run, support, and are the foundation or our nation.
Peaceful resistance in a free society does allow for mostly positive change. There are always going to be people in a society that feel that peaceful protests are contemptible, but if the resistance is for a just reason, such as desegregation and civil rights, then it is a matter of moral value and the conscience of the people and the governmental body. For example, when Martin Luther King Jr. set out for his peaceful sit-ins and marches, he was not hurting anyone. He was put in jail for not having a permit for a parade. Martin Luther King Jr. was willing to go to jail for what he believed to be just and going against unjust laws that were inhibiting African Americans from living the life they rightfully deserved as citizens of the United States
Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. Peaceful resistance to allowing voices to be heard. It also allows people to fight for the rights that they believe in. In some cases it is a fight for equality and in other cases liberty. These are just two of the reasons why people participate in peaceful resistance to laws.
Peaceful resistance in today's society is counted as just as bad as violent riots. As Americans with our constitutional rights should have the ability to peacefully resist anything that we find unjust but within current events it is seen as being a criminal for showing your opinion. I believe that peaceful resistance should have a positive impact on our country and that it should be seen as powerful rather than as weakness caused by the displeasure of events. As a country it is our job to take into consideration the rights and beliefs of all rather than few. For example within my own community there was a peaceful resistance or peaceful protest at our local university in which around 70 to 100 people were arrested simply for showing their
Peaceful resistance to laws are not a threat to a free society; in fact, is is almost encouraged in a way. People who stand up for what they believe in is a staple in this country's history and what has made this great nation what it is. These people are, at the very least, standing up and resisting something that they don't believe in. They aren't the ones that just go with the flow all throughout their lives. It is admirable, even if one personally disagrees with what these people are resisting from. The real problem is when there are people who can't just resist laws in a peaceful way. A perfect example would be exactly what is going on lately with all of the riots since the election and inauguration of Donald Trump is president. People are in the streets and up close to Capitol Hill
"Peaceful resistance" is a very controversial issue in this day in age. Many Americans, if asked, probably have many varying views and opinions on what peaceful resistance is. For some it could be marching down the streets with signs, while for others its shouting their rights without causing any violence. Now to me, peaceful resistance is when one or multiples stand for what they deem right or wrong without causing any harm to others. To me this serves as a positive because not only does it allow for people to be heard, but also for others to listen. When a peaceful protest takes place often enough it is shown through the internet, social media, television, news, etc. At some point everyone will hear about it and based on what they see they
Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. Rather than having violent movements and harming citizens, it is better to peacefully resist. Once a violence is used, the resistance to the law becomes nulled. People tend to not follow a violence protester. Once a violent riot starts, chaos is everywhere. People forget what they are truly fighting for. They unconsciously run away with the fear of getting harmed and dare not to go back. A peaceful resistance on the other hand leads citizens to join and support. People are able to see what they are fighting for and their real intentions. They are able to stand and cause no problem to people passing by as they are showing their support through silent voices. Many famous activists and leaders are for nonviolence. Mahatma Gandhi, a primary leader of India’s independence