Examples Of Peaceful Resistance

When referring to peaceful resistance to laws, resistance is defined as a violation of laws, with an intent to change the law in a nonviolent manner. Common cases of peaceful resistance are not paying taxes because one believes they are not fair, allowing illegal immigrants entry into the U.S. because one needs them for work, or marching for a cause without a permit. Assuming a free society, there are many legal avenues to protest or raise awareness of an absence or infringement on freedom. History has shown that in the context of providing additional freedoms, peaceful resistance works and can have a positive impact. However, when it is used to protest perceived “wrongs” that are not linked to additional freedoms, it does not seem to benefit society. …show more content…
In both cases, these leaders encouraged followers to encourage progress and their freedom by breaking laws that opposed their beliefs. These included the Indians lack of rights to make salt and the annexation of India by Great Britain. In Martin Luther King’s case, African American’s did not have the same rights as whites. In both cases, peaceful resistance led to freedom such as India self-rule and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.Yet, in a “free society” such as the U.S., there exists many legal mechanisms to make change and show discontent other than breaking of laws. Another illustration of success is the suffragette movement at the start of the 20th century in which women registered to vote to raise awareness of the unfairness. Again, these movements achieved equality law