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https://examples.yourdictionary.com/famous-examples-of-civil-disobedience-in-history.html

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Civil disobedience has played an important role in history thanks to those who believe violence is not an option. The definition of civil disobedience is "breaking laws, usually in a non-violent way, as part of a protest" against laws deemed unfair or that infringe on human rights. Remembering these famous examples of civil disobedience can give the world hope that change is possible, but not guaranteed, through peaceful means.

Successful Examples of Civil Disobedience in History

Some of the most successful famous acts of civil disobedience involve well-known civil rights leaders. You've probably heard of at least one person who is famous for civil disobedience, but you can find numerous examples of successful acts throughout history all around the world.

Rosa Parks' Bus Boycott

In 1955, Rosa Parks acted alone and almost spontaneously in taking a quiet stand against segregated bus laws in Montgomery, Alabama. As Parks sat in the front row of the black section at the back of the bus, she was asked to give up her seat to a white man. Parks politely refused.

As a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Parks knew there were plans to challenge bus laws and took this opportunity to make her own point. While Parks was arrested for her refusal to move, her action sparked bus boycotts that lasted over a year and resulted in a change to the bus segregation law in 1956.

Mohandas Gandhi's Salt March

Although salt production was lucrative in India, only the British were gaining from the resource. Their laws forbid Indians from selling salt independently and required that Indians pay a premium for salt that wasn't even from India. Mohandas Gandhi wasn't the first to protest the salt tax, but he did give it more visibility than others had.

In March 1930, Gandhi and a couple dozen followers marched for 240 miles, sharing their thoughts on the unfairness of the salt tax with every town they passed. The salt march, or satyagraha, lasted months and gained such a huge following that 60,000 people ended up in jail for their participation by the year's end.

In early 1931, Gandhi reached a truce with British leaders, called the Gandhi-Irwin Pact, which released all salt march prisoners and allowed Indians to make salt for domestic purposes.

The March for Jobs and Freedom

In 1963, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkin, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other civil rights leaders helped lead the March for Jobs and Freedom. Also known as the March on Washington, the protest was in an effort to eliminate legal racial segregation in the U.S. About a quarter of a million people joined the rally for a peaceful demonstration.

The march was one factor that aided in the passing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964, which made it illegal to discriminate against black people for things like hiring, public transportation, and education.

The Singing Revolution

It may be hard to believe, but singing helped Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania gain independence from the Soviet Union. The Singing Revolution began in 1986 with large groups of citizens gathering to sing songs about their heritage. At this time, it was illegal for people to fly the old flags of their countries or show any patriotism to that heritage because they were supposed to embrace being Russian.

People would gather by the hundreds or thousands to hold hands, sing songs of their country, and wave old flags. Patriotic song festivals were held for years across these countries, and the people stood up to tanks and other attempts by the Russian government to silence their songs. In 1991,a new Russian government formally recognized Estonia and other Baltic states as independent.

Famous Failed Acts of Civil Disobedience in History

Unfortunately for some, acts of civil disobedience don't always result in law changes, peace treaties, or happy endings. You can learn as much from these failed attempts as you can from the successful ones by focusing on the commonalities of what hasn't worked throughout history.

Henry David Thoreau's Tax Delinquency

As a civil protest against slavery in the mid-1800s, renowned writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau stopped paying his taxes. At first, Thoreau's quiet stand went relatively unnoticed. But, when he spoke out publicly against the U.S. declaring war against Mexico, Thoreau was arrested for his overdue taxes.

Thoreau used this experience to write the essay "Civil Disobedience" in 1849. In it, he suggested that if people do not cooperate with a law, that law cannot stand. Choosing not to pay taxes to a government participating in unjust laws was Thoreau's idea of civil disobedience. While his act did open minds and conversations, it didn't lead to any major tax law changes or revolutions.

The Massacre in Sharpeville

In 1960, a group of unarmed demonstrators gathered in Sharpeville, South Africa to protest a government restriction on travel for non-whites. Police opened fire on the group, killing and wounding nearly 200 peaceful protestors.

This simple act of civil disobedience was met with the ultimate violent response from the government. Anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela consequently ended his strategy of using civil disobedience to create change. Not only did the initial demonstration fail to make its point, it ended an entire civil disobedience movement.

Tiananmen Square Protest

Another peaceful protest that resulted in mass death was the Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing, China. The protest started at the city center in April 1989 with demonstrators going on hunger strikes and sitting in the public square. Participants were pushing for reform and talks with Communist Party leaders.

After two months of protests in the square, the government sent in its military to enforce martial law and move protestors out of the area. Without warning, the troops opened fire on the peaceful protestors. Thousands of people were wounded, killed, or even later tried and executed for their participation. Today, China considers all talk of this incident taboo and forbids any discussion or remembrance acts.

A Peaceful Approach to Change

Famous examples of acts of civil disobedience show how powerful one person can be in starting a movement without force or how powerful certain types of government are. From these examples, you can see that civil disobedience is most effective in democratic governments and largely ineffective in other types of governments. You can expand your perspective by looking at how modern examples of civil disobedience were influenced by these historical acts.

Famous Examples of Civil Disobedience in History

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Famous Examples of Civil Disobedience in History

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Whether you're thinking about pursuing a career in dentistry or you just have a curiosity as the patient in the chair, getting a grasp on the lingo can come in handy. Commonly used dental abbreviations are explained in this article.

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Colin Kaepernick took a 126$ million dollar pay cut to take a knee for what he believed in. 

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Colin Kaepernick took a 126$ million dollar pay cut to take a knee for what he believed in. 

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By Juan Carlos Guerrero

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- Four years ago today, Colin Kaepernick began his peaceful protests during the national anthem.

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback had 181 rushing yards in his first postseason start in 2013 and led the team to their 2013 Super Bowl appearance. The Niners came within five yards of another Lombardi trophy.
RELATED: Former Green Beret, who advised Colin Kaepernick to kneel, talks about others taking a knee in solidarity
But then a wave of controversy was unleashed when he sat down during the national anthem of a 2016 preseason game to take a stand against police brutality and racial injustice. Since then, Kaepernick has become an outspoken advocate for social justice. And along the way he became one of the most admired and most hated people in sports.

On Wednesday, the NBA postponed all playoff games amid boycotts surrounding the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

And NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell released a statement in early June condemning systematic racism and apologizing for "not listening to NFL players earlier" when they tried to address racial injustice. His statement on social media drew comparisons to Kaepernick, with many calling for Goodell to apologize to the former Niners quarterback.

Here's a timeline of Kaepernick's time with the 49ers.
November 11, 2012
Colin Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith after the quarterback suffered a concussion during a game against the Rams. Kaepernick remained the starting quarterback the rest of the season.
January, 12, 2013
Kaepernick had a career day in his first postseason start. He passed for passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more as the 49ers pummeled the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick rushed for 181 yards, a team postseason record at the time.
February 3, 2013
Kaepernick threw for 302 yards in a 31-34 Super Bowl XLVII loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The 49ers scored 17 unanswered points to overcome a big deficit and were poised for a dramatic victory, but a late game drive came up a few yards short of the end zone.
June 4, 2014
The 49ers gave Kaepernick a $126 million contract extension, but the team lost its dominance and missed the playoffs. Head coach Jim Harbaugh left after the season. Kaepernick struggled under two different coaches.
August 26, 2016
A beat reporter takes a picture that shows 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sitting on a bench while his teammates stand during the national anthem of an NFL preseason game. "It is to protest the injustices that are happening in America, the oppression that is happening in America," Kaepernick told reporters after the game.
September 1, 2016
Keapernick continued his protest but after speaking to U.S. Army veteran Nate Boyer, Kaepernick decided to kneel instead of sitting down as a sign of respect for military personnel. His 49ers teammate Eric Reid joined the protest. Kaepernick pledged to donate $1 million to community groups and social justice causes throughout the country.
September 11, 2016
Other NFL players begin kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem as a sign of protest.
September 22, 2016
Kaepernick appears on the cover of Time magazine for a story on patriotism and protests. Kaepernick is voted most disliked NFL player but his jersey becomes a top seller.
January 1, 2017
Kaepernick played his last game as an NFL player in a loss to Seattle.
March 3, 2017
Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Even though he is a free agent, Kaepernick is not signed by any NFL team during the off-season.
August 12, 2017
Other players, including the Oakland Raiders' Marshawn Lynch, continue to protest injustices by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem.
September 22, 2017
President Donald Trump calls on NFL owners to fire players who won't stand for the national anthem. "Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, get that (expletive) off the field right now," said Trump during a rally.
September 25, 2017
NFL teams and the Golden State Warriors respond to President Trump's rhetoric. Several owners kneel or lock arms with players as a show of unity during the national anthem.
October 8, 2017
Vice President Mike Pence leaves the Indianapolis Colts game after the players kneel during the anthem. Some owners threaten players by stating that those who don't stand for the national anthem won't play in the game.
October 15, 2017
Kaepernick files a grievance against the NFL in which he accused owners of colluding by not signing him and keeping him out of the NFL.
November 13, 2017
Kaepernick is named "Citizen of the Year" by GQ Magazine. He is later named a finalist for Time's "Person of the Year".
December 3, 2017
The ACLU honored Kaepernick by giving him the Courageous Advocate award. "We all have an obligation, no matter the risk and regardless of reward, to stand up for our fellow men and women who are being oppressed, with the understanding that human rights cannot be compromised," said Kaepernick during the ceremony.
April 21, 2018
Amnesty International gives Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience award.
August 30, 2018
An arbitrator denied the NFL's request to dismiss Kaepernick's complaint that NFL owners have colluded to keep him out of professional football. Kaepernick's lawsuit against the league is allowed to move forward.
September 3, 2018
Nike reveals its new advertising campaign featuring Kaepernick with the slogan "Believe in something, Even if it means sacrificing everything."
November 12, 2019
The NFL sets up for a private workout for Kaepernick and invites all 32 teams, but Kaepernick skipped the tryout over concerns the NFL asked him to sign a liability waiver. Kaepernick remains unsigned.
December 23, 2019
Debut of Colin Kaepernick x Nike Air Force 1. The shoe has a portrait of Kaepernick on the heel and the date he began his protest on the sole.
Get the latest on former 49er quarterback Colin Kaepernick here. RELATED STORIES & VIDEOS:

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TIMELINE: Colin Kaepernick's journey from San Francisco 49ers star to kneeling to protest racial injustice

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In a span of a few years, former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick went from football star on the verge of a Super Bowl victory to an outcast for being an outspoken advocate for social justice. Along the way he became one of the most admired and most hated people in sports.

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A "modern-day Rosa Parks" wearing a football uniform.

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A "modern-day Rosa Parks" wearing a football uniform.

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There's no doubt about it: Colin Kaepernick is the face of the new civil rights movement. By first sitting and then kneeling last season to draw attention to the oppression of black people and people of color in the U.S., the now-unemployed quarterback risked his career. At a rally scheduled for Wednesday at NFL headquarters in New York City, others will stand up for him.

Organizers of the "United We Stand Rally for Colin Kaepernick," a joint effort of many civil rights organizations and activists, hope to apply pressure to top decision-makers in the league that has shut out the accomplished passer after his peaceful and impactful political protest. They aim to both help Kaepernick get back in the game and become game-changers.

In recent weeks, the groundswell of support for Kaepernick has manifested in groups calling for a boycott of professional sports' most successful and powerful league. The NAACP has implored people to withhold their support unless the NFL finds a landing spot for the activist-athlete. On Aug. 19 in Brooklyn, New York, members of the New York Police Department came together to back Kaepernick. Through online petitions, videos and social media, fans are pushing the NFL to let Kaepernick return to work.

Activists are among the growing list of people nationwide who share a belief about Kaepernick first espoused by some African-American players: that teams have effectively blackballed him because of his activism. But for the rally's planners, the day will be as much about continuing the struggle in an attempt to fix the problems that prompted Kaepernick to take a knee as it is pushing for a team to sign him. Kaepernick has come to represent much more than just himself.

The Colin Kaepernick Saga

"He's a modern-day Rosa Parks and Muhammad Ali all in one," said Stephen A. Green, one of the event's lead organizers. "When you think about what he has put on the line for himself personally, with what he could lose and what he has already gone through, that's not [hyperbole]. He has risked a lot to elevate the issues that affect black and brown bodies in America. For our community, we can't afford to let him be silenced."

Green is president of The People's Consortium, a civil rights group committed to nonviolent change. He spearheaded the effort to bring together activists in a show of support for the former San Francisco 49ers starter, who, despite being only 29 and having the fifth-best touchdowns-to-interceptions ratio of all time - better than many former NFL stars, including Steve Young, Peyton Manning and Tony Romo - is not on a roster with Week 1 of the regular season kicking off in less than three weeks. The Rev. Jesse Jackson, political strategist and CNN commentator Symone D. Sanders and SiriusXM radio host Mark Thompson are among the 20 organizing partners listed for the rally, which is scheduled for 5 p.m. at 345 Park Ave. - the address of the NFL's league offices.

Although the coat of arms of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., a Greek-letter fraternity of which Kaepernick is a member, appears on the official flyer for the event, the organization is not a partner. Green and several other organizers, though, are members of the fraternity, and its leader, Grand Polemarch Thomas L. Battles Jr., recently wrote a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell urging him to send a "clear and unmistakable signal from the league office" to owners that would result in an "equitable resolution to Mr. Kaepernick's plight."

The program is scheduled to include several speakers who are on the front lines of the ongoing battle for racial justice. Kaepernick does not plan to attend the rally, but he appreciates the support more than his supporters could possibly understand, one of his representatives wrote to The Undefeated in a text message last week. Ever since Kaepernick was first pictured sitting during the anthem before a preseason game last Aug. 26 (beginning Aug. 14, he also sat for two previous preseason games), activists have closely monitored his situation. Buoyed by Kaepernick's eagerness to use his platform to promote the Black Lives Matter movement, many activists for some time have discussed how they could best partner to help him.

As Kaepernick remained sidelined over the past few months, "we were all pretty fed up," said Thompson, host of Make it Plain on SiriusXM Progress 127. "Obviously, he's not being given an opportunity because he took a knee on behalf of many sisters and brothers who lost their lives to police. We felt that he took a knee for us, so we need to stand up for him."

Throughout his time on the national stage, Kaepernick has maintained a dialogue with activists. They've kept him informed about their objectives and strategies, encouraging him to continue fighting alongside them.

"We're here because he has come to really symbolize everything about this Black Lives Matter movement," Thompson said. "And what we [activists] are most appreciative of is that he showed courage in doing that. One of the challenges we've faced is getting more black athletes to do what Colin is doing.

"When you realize how much attention professional athletes get, how much our young people look up to them, you understand how important it is to have them involved. Whenever we have black athletes stand up in a way that other great athletes of the past have - Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Curt Flood, John Carlos and Tommie Smith - it's going to help. We need to show that to young people. That's what Colin has done."

Activists admire Kaepernick for never cowering to public pressure. And his resolve has drawn activists to him.

"Kaep has been unapologetic about his views and his activism throughout the last year, which is visible to anyone monitoring his Twitter account or where he is going and what he is doing," said Sarah J. Jackson, an assistant professor of communications studies at Northeastern University and author of the book Black Celebrity, Racial Politics, and the Press: Framing Dissent.

"Kaep was very deliberate about staying in the public eye. It's also relevant, of course, that Kaepernick's activism came in the middle of the mainstream visibility of the Black Lives Matter movement and several high-profile police killings, as well as alongside the rise of a newly emboldened far-right that focuses a lot of energy on publicly attacking those that critique police or make outspoken stances against anti-black racism."

Kaepernick's anthem protest and efforts on behalf of the underprivileged triggered a wave of social activism in sports unlike anything seen since the 1960s. Players didn't consult with Kaepernick, several said, on whether to protest and what actions to take to uplift the African-American community, and there's no official coordinated effort among players throughout the league, although some talk informally about their plans.

Kaepernick's actions, however, prompted players to ask, "What can I do to help make a difference?" Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas said. "When you see what he did, for a lot of guys, it made you want to educate yourself."

Thomas, who also knelt last season during the anthem, has been involved in projects in South Florida, and he helped provide clean water to a village in Haiti. Like many of the NFL's politically active players, Thomas expressed frustration that the anthem protest, in his view, became distorted. "It was about a lot more than that," Thomas said. "Guys were getting out there and doing work to help people. A lot of that got lost."

Louis Moore agrees. Moore, an associate professor at Grand Valley State University, is the author of two soon-to-be-released books: We Will Win the Day: The Civil Rights Movement, the Black Athlete, and the Quest for Equality and I Fight for a Living: Boxing and the Battle for Black Manhood, 1880-1915.

"I don't think society has given police brutality its right due as a civil rights issue," Moore said. "In some ways, the focus on whether [Kaepernick is] going to sit or not does overshadow his earlier message of police brutality. We're now just concerned about the protest."

Few players have been as politically active as Philadelphia Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins, who has met with government officials about building trust between communities and police. Jenkins, whose anthem protest continues this season, called owners "cowards" for their aversion to signing Kaepernick, whose standing in the movement will only increase the longer he remains on the outside looking in, the Pro Bowl defensive back said.

"Last year, the people who were against Kaepernick were probably making the most noise, and now you have the reverse," Jenkins said. "So keeping him out of the league, you think that things are going to smooth over. But in actuality, you're having a bigger uproar from people who want to see him have a job. Especially if him not having a job is solely on his political stance."

Last week, outspoken Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett revealed publicly what many African-American players have said privately since early in the 2016 season: that the conversation of the anthem protest would change if white players became part of the movement.

"It would take a white player to really get things changed," Bennett said on ESPN's SC6, "because when somebody from the other side understands and they step up and they speak up about it ... it would change the whole conversation. Because when you bring somebody who doesn't have to be a part of [the] conversation, making himself vulnerable in front of it, I think when that happens, things will really take a jump."

Eagles defensive end Chris Long answered the call. As Jenkins kept his fist raised on Aug. 17 during the national anthem before a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, Long kept his hand on Jenkins' back.

"I've heard a lot of people say you need white athletes to get involved in the anthem protests," Long said. "I've said before I'll never kneel for an anthem, because the flag means something different for everybody in this country, but I support my peers. And if you don't see why you need allies for people that are fighting for equality right now, I don't think you'll ever see it. So my thing is, Malcolm is a leader, and I'm here to show support as a white athlete."

After Long made the first step, Seahawks center Justin Britt followed. During the Seahawks' preseason victory over the Minnesota Vikings on Friday night, Britt stood next to Bennett during the anthem.

Long is a native of Charlottesville, Virginia. The recent violence there, along with President Donald Trump's shocking response to it, has elevated the nation's discussion about race to a new level.

Kaepernick and others have worked hard to shine a light on the wrongheaded thinking that resulted in the unrest. After Charlottesville, perhaps more people now understand why athletes have taken a stand, but what happened there "didn't really validate it for me," Jenkins said. "I felt comfortable in my decision. And maybe some other people, who somehow convinced themselves that there are no issues of race in this country, [now know] that it's pretty evident that there still is."

Liner Notes

Jason Reid is the senior NFL writer at Andscape. He enjoys watching sports, especially any games involving his son and daughter.

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How Colin Kaepernick became a cause for activists, civil rights groups and others

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There's no doubt about it: Colin Kaepernick is the face of the new civil rights movement. By first sitting and then kneeling last season to draw attention to the oppression of black people and people of color in the U.S., the now-unemployed quarterback risked his career.

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Mapping Police Violence, shows that Black Americans were killed at three times the rate of white Americans from 2013 to 2019, when adjusted for population. 

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Mapping Police Violence, shows that Black Americans were killed at three times the rate of white Americans from 2013 to 2019, when adjusted for population. 

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1967

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Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. 

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Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything. 

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Colin Kaepernick Nike Commercial FULL VIDEO