Pardons are granted to criminals by people high up in the government. Pardons are generally accepted openly by the people being pardoned however, there are some instances where the pardon is not wanted. For instance in 1963 protesters were arrested for not having a permit and when they were pardoned in 2009 they did not want it. The main reason was because they wanted them being arrested for what they were fighting for to be a mark for all to see. Their arrest showed their hardships and determination to do what was right and make a change. Some were so against it that they pleaded to keep what they did as a misdemeanor.
