The Weapons of Civil Disobedience

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that people must fight injustice, even if it means fighting the law, but in doing so, they must follow the rules and methods of civil disobedience, not just because history has proved that it is powerful, but because the fight against unjust laws does not give people the right to violate the laws that do support justice and protect the lives and rights of others.

From the Paper:

"The world is full of the injustices of people against people and governments against people. In many cases the injustices are committed legally. There are many examples to support this statement. Until recently, South Africa practiced the laws of apartheid against its black people and, until today the Egyptian police have the right to beat suspected criminals to acquire confessions from them. Most people know of these laws and most know, without doubt, that they are unjust. However, only a few people have the courage to take a position against these laws. Many prefer to remain silent as a way of protecting themselves from the applying of these unjust laws, which include torture, upon themselves. This position, which comes from fear, is incorrect. As Henry David Thoreau, an American writer, said in "Civil Disobedience," fighting injustice is the duty of every person who believes that "truth is stronger than error." People must fight injustice even if it means fighting the law but, when they do so, they must follow the rules and methods of civil disobedience, not just because history has proved that it is powerful but, because the fight against unjust laws does not give people the right to violate the laws that do support justice and protect the lives and rights of others."

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