According to the Declaration of Independence, all people are created equal and have rights to, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." While the sole purpose of government is to protect these, "inalienable" rights, it is often government itself that impedes the people from enjoying these basic liberties. Peaceful resistance to laws is an excellent way to positively impact a free society. Civil disobedience keeps power-hungry governments in check and defends the basic liberties that define a free society.
The Civil Rights movement dominated the political arena during the 1960’s. Led by heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, and Rosa Parks; the American people rallied in defiance of Jim Crow laws. African-Americans and white Americans alike stood in unity with one another ensure that black Americans could enjoy their God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Despite violent opposition, …show more content…
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a proposed construction project that would transport millions of barrels of oil across the United States every day. The project, however, is designed with a route bearing directly into Indian territory. Fearing for their home, the Sioux people of North Dakota protested the pipeline and refused to leave their land. Armed with free speech guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution, the Standing Rock Indian tribe refused to compromise their unalienable rights. Pressure from engineers, politicians, and society couldn’t faze the Indians. After months of protests, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers elected to re-route the project. The non-violent vigilance displayed by the Standing Rock Sioux demonstrates the power of civil disobedience. Because of peaceful protests, a group of Americans in North Dakota successfully defended their home from a power-hungry
The Civil Rights movement dominated the political arena during the 1960’s. Led by heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr., Booker T. Washington, and Rosa Parks; the American people rallied in defiance of Jim Crow laws. African-Americans and white Americans alike stood in unity with one another ensure that black Americans could enjoy their God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Despite violent opposition, …show more content…
The Dakota Access Pipeline is a proposed construction project that would transport millions of barrels of oil across the United States every day. The project, however, is designed with a route bearing directly into Indian territory. Fearing for their home, the Sioux people of North Dakota protested the pipeline and refused to leave their land. Armed with free speech guaranteed by the first amendment of the Constitution, the Standing Rock Indian tribe refused to compromise their unalienable rights. Pressure from engineers, politicians, and society couldn’t faze the Indians. After months of protests, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers elected to re-route the project. The non-violent vigilance displayed by the Standing Rock Sioux demonstrates the power of civil disobedience. Because of peaceful protests, a group of Americans in North Dakota successfully defended their home from a power-hungry