Protests Demonstrations Marches And Sit Ins - 2183 Words

Protests, Marches and Sit-ins Protests, marches and sit-ins, these things became a way for nonviolent activists to garner attention for the plight that they were fighting for or against. I believe they became a thing after WWII because there was a greater desire to have government protection against certain things that Americans were beginning to think of as liberties or rights. As a child of the early 70 s I became very aware of the hot bed issues of the day, i.e. the Vietnam war, and the hippie movement just a few years prior to my birth as well as the larger events such as Women s lib or the Civil Rights Movements. Some of these are still going strong, movements for things such as Gay Rights, Civil Rights, and Radical Feminism. I am an activist at heart, I have an innate need to fight for the underdog even to my own peril. Through this paper I am hoping to garner more of an understanding of these issues and why this avenue, based on fact as opposed to my limited and probably biased information and opinions. What is a protest and what is it good for? The definition of a protest is a complaint or objection against an idea, an act, or a way of doing things; an event in which people gather to show disapproval of something. A Sit-in is a form of civil disobedience in which demonstrators occupy seats in a public place (often places prohibited to them, such as a lunch counter for whites only or the steps of a university) and refuse to move as a protest, hoping toShow MoreRelatedSocial Injustice By Henry David Thoreau891 Words   |  4 Pagespeaceful protest of civilians who feel the laws are unjust. These rallies,boycotts, or sit ins have forced a new way of thinking onto the public. Causing them rethink the morals they have been taught. Many forms of civil disobedience have been used throughout the years. While some have been ineffective in getting their message to public, others will be remembered forever throughout history. People looking to take part in civil disobedience have many options to choose from: Boycotts, Sit ins, MarchesRead MoreNonviolent Protests: An argumentative essay1411 Words   |  6 Pagesthrough nonviolent protests. Perhaps the most well-known of the non-violent protests are those associated with the Civil Rights movement. The movement was felt across the south, yet Birmingham, Alabama was known for its unequal treatment of blacks and became the focus of the Civil Rights Movement. Under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, African-Americans in Birmingham, began daily demonstrations and sit-ins to protest discriminationRead MoreAfrican Americans: Fighting For Their Rights Essay1632 Words   |  7 Pagesof white people in the country. They responded to the segregation of blacks and whites during that time and the double standards the African Americans were held to. African Americans responded to their suppression by participating in boycotts, marches, sit-ins, and trying to get legislation passed so that they could overcome their degrading situation. They were successful in many of these actions and through them brought around more rights for African Americans. Boycotts were a major way thatRead MoreEssay on Civil Disobedience1532 Words   |  7 PagesAbstract Civil disobedience is the term assigned to actions taken by individuals to sway public opinion about laws that individuals deem unfair or unjust. Actions taken are usually nonviolent, and can include sit-ins, mass demonstrations, picket lines, and marches. Citizens are acting on their consciences, demonstrating highly advanced moral reasoning skills. Generally, these advanced skills fall into Kohlberg’s Six Stages of Moral Development, Stage Five and Six in particular. Characteristics ofRead MoreThe Struggle For Equality And Rights During The Civil War1323 Words   |  6 Pagesoppressed and dissatisfied with the laws of the United States, were expressing their feelings and emotions through songs in unison. They would sing in marches, sit-ins, protests, and whenever they felt the need to feel united, they sang. Marches during the Civil Rights movements were not short and sweet, they were long and weary. One of the most famous marches organized by Martin Luther King Jr, the Sel ma to Montgomery march, was over 50 miles long. Music kept them going through those 50 miles. If theyRead MoreThe Civil Rights Movement in the 1960’s Essay1269 Words   |  6 Pagesand blacks to protest racial discrimination, poverty and war? (Compton?s 244). On August 28, 1963 King made one of his most influential speeches ever at the March on Washington. His ?I have a dream? speech had a major impact on all of America. His speech urged people to be judged by their character and not by the color of their skin (Civil Rights 148). King was a man who didn?t believe in violence. The way he got his point across was not through violence, but through peaceful protest just as GandhiRead MoreOrder in Society1253 Words   |  6 Pagesagainst citizens involves the use of excessive force when physical action is unnecessary, and it springs from factors such as the race, religion, and socioeconomic status of civilians. Misconduct and violence by the police can occur during protests and demonstrations, or everyday encounters with citizens. Much of the police brutality in the last few decades of American history can be identified to be dependent on racial factors, especially in the South. However, this trend is slowly reversing. As socialRead MoreA Trip Through the Civil Rights Movement1057 Words   |  4 Pagespart of history starting off as slaves, but to the point of making history for standing up for what they believed was right and having equality. Now no one said it was going to be a easy process, but at the end of the tunnel there was a light. Lets sit back and close your eyes as we take a trip back in time during the Civil Rights Movement. The Civil Rights Movement began on December 1,1955. It started in Montgomery, Alabama and later on spread to the rest of the southern states. The main ethnicRead More The Civil Rights Movement (1955- 1965) Essay1262 Words   |  6 Pageswas a challenge to segregation, the system of laws and customs separating blacks and whites. During the civil rights movement, individuals and organizations challenged segregation and discrimination with a variety of activities, including protest marches, boycotts, and refusal to abide by segregation laws. Some believe that the movement began with the Montgomery bus boycott in 1955 and ended with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, there is still however some debate about when it began and whetherRead MoreI Have a Dream: Martin Luther King Jr. Essay989 Words   |  4 Pagesthe world that we live in today. He wanted freedom for all and fought an endless battle to get us to where we are. Martin was an American pastor, activist, humanitarian, and leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. By using, speeches, marches and his actions he accomplished his goal and was a main contributor to end segregation. Martin’s nonviolence tactics lead him through the years. Even when attacked by others he only used words to get his point across. He ended to segregation to all