Civil Disobedience Examples

According to Henry David Thoreau’s Resistance To Civil Government, where the term “civil disobedience” was popularized, it is “the act of willful resistance, achieved by not obeying laws considered to be hypocritical,” (Grade Saver). Throughout United States history, civil disobedience has been one of the most effective ways for the people to achieve desired results in the face of disagreement with the government and laws. Examples of such include Rosa Park’s refusal to move away from her seat at the front of the bus, marches at Selma, and today, Native Americans fighting for their sacred land at Standing Rock by camping and several acts of protest by Black Lives Matter. Resistance reminds authorities that they are not in total control, while
simultaneously reminding the people that their unity with one another, no matter the individual differences, are important in civilization.
Civil disobedience in most cases, has had a positive effect on our free society. Had it not been for the complete acceptance of consequences implemented by authorities for protesters in the past, the states of America would likely be divided rather than “united”. The first contemporary example of civil disobedience is encampment by Native Americans at Standing Rock in attempt “to stop a natural gas pipeline operator from bulldozing what they say are sacred sites to construct a 1,172-mile oil pipeline,” (Leah Donella). Preceded by many successful fights for sacred lands in Native American history, protesters are expecting to prevail. This particular battle has been going on for seven consecutive months. However, once the bill was passed for Keystone XL and the pipes were prepared to be in place, Native Americans went
through great lengths to fight the government for this particular land that has the potential to be destroyed. Upon encampment at the sights by these Native Americans, authorities tear gassed crowds and sprayed them with water in below freezing temperatures to end the resistance, but it has yet to cease. According to news reports, protests over sacred lands have never reached such a prime in retaliation by police, causing the matter to attract more attention. Even after being asked to leave their homes to make way for the pipeline construction, protesters chose to accept the consequences in order to show authorities the significance of the land they’re trying to protect. In a free society, this act of civil disobedience has proven yet again that we the people are in control of what happens in America, rather than the government alone. Checks and balances aren’t confined to the three branches of government, but are extended to the people as well, and civil disobedience enforces that. Though the laws have been passed and bulldozing is still possible, there are endless ways that these protesters will continue to fight and stand up for their land. The second example of civil resistance having a positive effect on free society is the Black Lives Matter movement.
Parallel to civil rights movements in the times of segregation, Black Lives Matter has made impacts all over America. While some criticize the movement or label it as “inherently racist” it has been reiterated in the words of Thomas Paine, “when he was pamphleteering for American rights a long time ago: ‘Give to every other human being every right that you claim for yourself,’” (Taylor). After each mainstream police brutality or shooting case, Black Lives Matter goes through great lengths to try and destroy the barriers to equal recognition and protection under the law that have specifically targeted and disproportionately impacted black people…increasing transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system in order to build the trust necessary for a meaningful partnership with our communities…[and that] mutual trust and respect are the cornerstones of good policing and healthy neighborhoods,” (Taylor). Though the movement has been made out to be a cult of rebellious black kids by many, the group is simply made up of people of all races fighting for social justice. By protesting, marching, and using other acts of rebellion in the face of police, citizens and communities become more united; an essential tactic for a free society. Civil disobedience does not only put the government in check, but also bring the people together and remind them of their
roles in the social order. In conclusion, total reception of penalties applied by the system for protesters in times of struggle lets the so-called powers know that they are not in complete command. At the same time, the protesters are reminded that their unity with one another, no matter the individual differences, are important in order to progress. In both history and modern times, civil disobedience has helped citizens to attain preferred results when disagreeing with the law. Examples vary by time, group, and rule, but in most cases, it positively effect brings awareness to our nation.