Peaceful Resistance Examples

It’s hard to make people listen. It’s hard to make people want change. And using violence brings a bad reputation to what one is trying to bring attention to. Thus, peaceful protesting and civil disobedience are important tools to positively impact a free society. Accepting the consequences of civil disobedience proves to the world that one will sacrifice whatever is necessary to achieve what they are fighting for, which strengthens their message even more.

Peaceful resistance to laws is one of the strongest and most important foundations of a free society. Countless peaceful demonstrations have been led in the history of the United States, with positive outcomes that have helped shape the country.

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.

Back in 1791, after years of controversy between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the Framers added the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Included in this addition was the First Amendment. More specifically, the right to protest. America is known as “the land of the free,” a democracy that is ever changing to suit its progressive societal needs. Americans have the right to inflict change and address their concerns by resisting. Resistance is defined as “the refusal to accept or comply with something” (Dictionary.com). Americans have the right to confront issues. This “refusal to accept” an issue is an immeasurable energy and freedom that is unique to the American people. Due to the themes of democracy, freedom, and constitutional intentions, peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society because it arouses concern and opens the eyes of law makers and others who are obliged to follow them.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impact a free society, because all committed acts of civil disobedience, all but in very different cases. Have shown a positive impact amongst the people by proving to everyone and the government that every U.S citizen has the freedom to fight for their rights and freedom and not let anyone disrespect their human morals.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impact a free society. As a society there is nothing stronger than "We the people". Our silence and words speak louder than any actions of ours ever could. Rosa Parks did not scream or fight back against the policemen or the people who tried to make her go sit in the back of the bus. She just sat there quietly which scared people.

Peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society. It has a positive impact to a free society because most people would generally oppose taking the consequences for an unjust law, calling it absurd. By demonstrating to a society that you can make a difference by remaining peaceful to remove an unjust law, you will likely gain followers. This is good because one individual isn?t enough to change a law by protesting. Instead, a group or community can eventually make a difference to removing or altering unjust laws by performing civil disobedience.

This particular example is very important to United States history and it is a perfect example on how to peacefully resist a law. Alice Paul was an American suffragist and women's rights activist, and she was one of the main leaders and strategists of the campaign for the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which prohibits sex discrimination in the right to vote. She led women to attend peaceful protests even though it drew a lot of hate. She even scheduled talks with the president to make change. Alice eventually was even put in jail while peacefully resisting the discrimination of women in elections, but this didn’t stop her or her followers and eventually, along with her rival organization, achieved their goal of passing the Nineteenth Amendment.

A common argument amongst many citizens in America is whether or not peaceful resistance, or civil disobedience positively or negatively impacts a free society. With numerous examples of civil disobedience occurring in the past, it is easy to see how America was affected by these acts. America has progressed since her founding, especially since people have started to take a stand in what they believe in. Civil disobedience can positively affect a society through making others aware of an issue and sparking an urge for change.

One of the distinguishing principles that has separated American Democracy from the rest of the world is the right to enjoy immense and unprecedented freedoms, whilst still enjoying protections from government. American government has protected, and continues to protect, our unalienable rights, while many other governments have historically, tried to strip their people’s rights. Many of the rights we enjoy are used to keep our own government in check. The government cannot infringe upon our right to speak out against it, protest it in the streets, or write literature against it. All of these rights are important to maintaining, and controlling, our democratic system. The right to peacefully

In the 1950s till present day we still use nonviolent resistance to stand up for what we believe is right. Nonviolent resistant protests were one way for Civil Rights leaders used to advance their cause in the 1950s and 1960s. These protests lead to the Civil Rights act of 1964. This act outlawed discrimination based on color, race, religion, sex, or national origin. It starts with civil disobedience, which is the act of opposing a law one considers unjust and peacefully disobeying it while accepting the consequences. This was the case in some protests where they felt laws were unfair, unjust, and unconstitutional. I believe that peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free society using the Montgomery Bus Boycott, The March on Washington, and the Salt March as my three examples of nonviolent resistance protests that positively impacted a free society.

Peaceful resistance is a major part of American history, from the American Revolution to the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement to the Travel Ban protests of today. These instances of peaceful resistance shape American society for the better, as the voices of minorities are heard and unjust laws are ended. Peaceful resistance does positively impact a free society, as supported by Henry Thoreau, demonstrated by the 1960 Civil Rights Movement, and anticipated by protests of today.

In my opinion I believe that peaceful resistance is a positive impact on our society. If you look at the many marches we have had in recent years, such as the woman's march held a little over a week again as well as all the recent protests involving this years election, you can see Americans expressing their opinions and beliefs for all to see.

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