Civil Disobedience Quotes

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The Truth Behind Civil Disobedience

What do you believe “Civil Disobedience” means? Is it a criminal act or justified protests? Throughout the articles and poems, “Civil Disobedience” by Eric Cockrell, “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and “On Nonviolent Resistance” by Mohandas K. Gandhi, the authors seem to interpret the phrase very similarly. The term “Civil Disobedience” by its actual definition, means to not comply with certain laws and taxes as a way of protest. But, King, Cockrell, and Gandhi had a similar but slightly different interpretation of the phrase. They all seemed to see “Civil Disobedience” as a form of peaceful protest to stand up to unjust laws as a fight for freedoms and rights as seen in their …show more content…
peaceful rebellion.” This quote connects to the theme of “Civil Disobedience” as Eric Cockrell corrects the misconception and stating that “Civil Disobedience” is the act of a peaceful rebellion, which goes along with the definition, as to rebel is to not comply and stand up to authority and laws but adds onto the phrase by saying “peaceful rebellion”. Another example is within the poem where Cockrell says, “civil disobedience… a criminal act…. or the cost of freedom!” Cockrell furthers his plan with clearing up the misconception one last time at the end of the poem but states it differently. Cockrell lets the readers decide themselves, whether they would rather have a “criminal act” or the cost of their freedom. This relates to the theme of “Civil Disobedience” as Eric tries to explain in a very vague way that the “criminal act” is meant to save our freedoms through protests and rebellions against the unjust laws, not as a way of to disrespect the laws, but as a way to save the just laws. Moreover, Eric Cockrell builds on the topic of “Civil Disobedience” with the quote, “obeying the law of liberty over the threats of the law of the land… choosing to stand, stay firm, and deliver.” In this quote, Eric connects to the theme of “Civil Disobedience” as he speaks on the injustice and threats happening to our liberty and freedoms through unjust laws. Eric adds on by saying the people should stand, stay firm, and deliver, which means he believes the people should stand up to unjust laws, and protest for your rights. This connects to the theme because Eric believes the people have the power to stand up for your rights, fight back, and protest for justice within our

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