Perhaps it's fitting to celebrate civil disobedience the day before we celebrate our national independence. After all, a group of colonies officially declaring themselves a new nation, free of the empire that founded them, is a pretty epic act of disobedience.
So July 3rd is Disobedience Day, a day to celebrate the refusal to obey certain laws, statutes, or other commands of a government. Of course, there's a fine line between dangerous, illegal disobedience and peaceful, legal protest. Here are a few legal tips on exercising your right to disobey, hopefully without getting into too much trouble:
1. Martin Luther King's Civil Disobedience Legacy
While America has a rich history of political protest and disobedience, few crystallized a movement as eloquently and effectively as Dr. Martin Luther King. Here are a few lessons from his contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.
2. Top 5 Tips for Protesting (Legally)
Know how to plan a legal protest, and plan for your potential arrest, just in case.
3. How to Organize a Legal Protest
Start with state statutes and any local ordinances on public gatherings. And definitely make sure you've obtained any necessary permits. Once you've done that, though, you still face the challenge of making sure everyone abides by those laws and permits.
4. Do I Need a Permit to Hand Out Flyers?
Even if you're just passing out a little literature, you might need a permit for that. Be especially careful of attaching posters to walls or posts, or putting flyers on parked cars.
5. Is It Legal for Protesters to Block Traffic?
Speaking of cars, is blocking them on the road a legal form of protest? From marches that take place on city streets to protestors chaining themselves together to block an interstate highway, traffic-based protests can take a few different forms.
6. Do Students Have Legal Rights to Protest During School?
The Supreme Court has said that constitutional rights do not stop at the schoolhouse door. But the Court has also recognized a school's interest in minimizing disruptions. So how do those doctrines intersect when it comes to school protests?
7. Can Secret Service Arrest You for Protesting the President?
The Supreme Court has also given the Secret Service wide altitude to handling presidential protests, allowing them to block, move, or arrest anti-president protestors based on security concerns, all while leaving pro-president supporters in place.
8. Can You Be Fired for Going On Strike?
We've seen quite a few people get fired for expressing their political opinions. But if that opinion includes thoughts about your pay or working conditions, are there laws that protect speech and strikes at work?
9. Women's March Protesters: Know Your Protest Rights
There's no shortage of marches these days. But there may be a lack of information about your rights when participating in one. Here's what you need to know.
10. 5 More Tips for Protesting (Legally)
If those posts didn't already cover your questions about protest, this one should.
And if you're arrested celebrating Disobedience Day, make sure you talk to an experienced civil rights attorney as soon as possible.
Related Resources:
- Find Civil Rights Lawyers Near You (FindLaw's Lawyer Directory)
- 7 Facts About Criminal Law Every College Student Should Know (FindLaw Blotter)
- Why Every Worker Should Thank Martin Luther King Jr. (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
- Is It Legal to Protest in Airports? (FindLaw's Law and Daily Life)
