Peaceful Resistance In History

On January 21, 2017 the Women’s March, one of the largest protests in U.S. history, was a worldwide peaceful protest for the rights and equality of human beings. More than 2.5 million people gathered in different places around the world. These people gathered because they want to protect the rights they have as human beings. They didn’t just gather for our rights; they gathered because they want to see the change in our society. If we continue to gather peacefully at these massive numbers, eventually we will see the change.
Change takes time but if people continue to unite, as they did in the past, together they will be able to make the change they wish to see in our society. If they continue to stand up for what they believe in, they will see a change, as a country we’ll see the change. This is what history has proven in the past, and as long as it’s peaceful and people are united, our society can’t say no forever because it’s what the majority of the population wants. Societies are hardly ever perfect. As human beings we have different beliefs and opinions. These different beliefs and opinions can cause dilemma in our societies. These dilemmas can eventually create resistance against the law.
Violent resistance has proven to not be as effective as peaceful resistance. If the intention of the
protest is to disrupt the peace, it’s not going to work. The use of weapons or the destruction of properties will not help in anyway because it will cause the authorities to take measures not wanted or needed. This will most likely result in authorities using force and violence. At the end many will get hurt and it would have taken attention away of what is trying to be accomplished.
On February 1, 2017, a peaceful protest was planned at the University of California Berkeley. This peaceful protested eventually turned into a violent protest against Milo Yiannopoulos, a British journalist who communicates far-right ideologies. This peaceful protest started because the students of U.C. Berkeley did not want Milo to speak there due to his controversial statements. Many consider Yiannopoulos’ statements to be hate speech. Eventually, many other unwanted protesters arrived and started to cause destruction; they started fires and destructed property. Donald Trump tweeted “If U.C. Berkeley does not allow free speech and practices violence on innocent people with a different point of view – NO FEDERAL FUNDS?” Due to the actions of certain individuals, he threatened to take away the federal funds of the school. This shows that violent resistance is not as effective as peaceful resistance.
Through history, peaceful resistance has shown to be more effective than violent resistance. Peaceful resistance is wanting to achieve a goal or change with no violence; this can include protests, sit-ins, and walkouts. Since their intentions aren’t to use force to achieve their goal, it will most likely have a positive outcome.
Throughout history we have experienced many successful peaceful resistances against the law.
Through the act of racism the Chicano community in East Lost Angeles was not receiving the education they deserved. Their needs were not being met, Chicanos were dropping out of high school at high rates and had the lowest college attendance. In 1967 the Chicano students of East Los Angeles decided to walk out for an educational reform. The numbers started small but eventually over 2,000 supporters joined. Although the change wasn’t immediate, over time the school board changed their methods. The students started receiving the education they should have gotten since the
beginning. “If the machine of government is such of nature that it requires you to be the agent of injustice to another, then, I say, break the law.” – Henry David Thoreau. Peaceful resistance has proven to be effective, and it will continue to be effective. If something is unjust and the change needs to be made, then it should be done. Sacrifices may have to be made, but if the result is worth it in the end, it shouldn’t matter.