Strategy #3 - Change through Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience is the belief that unjust laws should not be obeyed. Governments and laws are effective only when they are obeyed. By refusing to comply and accepting the consequences, citizens can call into question a law's validity. The strategy has been used not only as a way to draw attention to unjust laws, but also to erode the power of unjust governments by denying their authority. These are the voices of people who sought to promote change through civil disobedience.  Please review them and answer the questions in the Listening Guide.

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Answer the following about each change-maker:

1. What policy or law was disobeyed? Why?
   
2. What form did the disobedience take?
   
3. What consequences were faced as a result?
   

For further discussion:

• In what ways were these experiences similar?
  
• In what ways were these experiences different?
  
• Do you think refusing to obey is a responsible strategy for promoting change? 

Change-Makers:

Swaminathan Gounden, South Africa

Aung Din, Burma

Gwen Saunders Gamble, United States

Chimedtseren Byambajar, Mongolia

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Change through Civil Disobedience Listening Guide
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File Type:	pdf

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Next Strategy for Change: Cross- Community Work