Civil+Disobedience

=Civil Disobedience.= What is the point of having laws ? When is one justified in breaking a law that they think is unfair ? At what point does Civil Disobedience become criminal and unjustified ?

During the Road to Revolution, colonists protested against what they believed were unjustified British laws through a variety of means. They protested through channels by sending petitions which they had a right to do. They also protested peacefully through boycotts and smuggling. And, as you've learned, they protested destructively through threats, intimidation of royal officials, physical violence, and through the destruction of property.

Most steps forward in American History since have come through some degree of Civil Disobedience leading to the changing of laws or the amending of the Constitution to address the protest. The Abolitionist, Women's Suffrage Movement, Labor Movement, and Civil Rights Movement all used forms of Civil Disobedience in combination with legal means to accomplish their goals. Likewise other movements employed a similar combination to resist these changes.

Henry David Thoreau wrote a famous essay on the topic called "Civil Disobedience" in 1849 at which time he spoke out against both the institution of slavery and the Mexican war which he believed was fought for win new lands for slavery. Quotes from this essay as well as others on the topic may be found here: Civil Disobedience Quotes.

When is Civil Disobedience justified ? When does it cross the line and become unjustified ? When are authorities in the right in confronting protest movements, and when do they cross the line and become unjustified in their reactions ? What current issues are you aware of that have provoked instances of Civil Disbedience ? Where around the World have you seen examples of protest or Civil Disobedience recently? Check the news- go to the iPD, and post your examples and just /unjust criteria here.

__This discussion will run through Sunday, November 21st.__