Your constitutional right to peaceful protest may be in jeopardy.
For more than two centuries, Americans have used peaceful protest and non-violent civil disobedience to call attention to injustices and needed reforms.
But those pursuing these vital and familiar avenues for dissent are encountering increasingly-severe punishments, eroding the means, will, and right of citizens to voice opposition to official policies and actions.
And as our nation responds to the new reality of wars abroad and on the homefront, the need to protect avenues of peaceful protest becomes more urgent than ever.
Just Dissent is a campaign to support current legislation in California -- and to encourage similar legislation in other states -- to protect the American tradition of non-violent dissent by limiting the parameters of prosecution.
In February, 2002, California Senate Majority Leader Richard Polanco, at the suggestion of a growing group of constituents, introduced legislation to protect this most basic of American traditions for Californians. This bill (SB 1796) would have limited penalties for acts of peaceful civil disobedience to a maximum $100 fine and/or 2 days in jail, and provide background against which lawyers could further defend participants in peaceful protests. Following an overwhleming 26-8 vote in the State Senate, the State Assembly on August 26 passed SB 1796 (the Political Expression Protection Act); it then went to Governor Davis, who at the end of September, succumbing to powerful law enforcement pressures. Click here to see the Governor's veto message.
The leaders of this fight thank the thousands of people who wrote letters, called, faxed and sent emails to help get the bill to the Governor's desk.
Noted civil rights attorney (and Pacifica Radio board member) David Fertig said it best: "FANTASTIC!! It's really wonderful to see people getting such important and pivotal things done. I am so deeply grateful for your amazing work...not only a striking boon for activists in California, but also the first step towards a national codification of civil disobedience as a tool for political expression. I am really moved by the historical significance of this work you are doing, thank you so so much!"
And the fight continues. It’s vital that individuals and organizations across the political spectrum recognize the danger we face, and support efforts to protect our rights. Join the fight! Read on – these dangers to our freedoms are clear and present. Sign the petition on this site. And, most importantly, spread the word about this campaign.
Do it today. Let us proclaim aloud one of the most important messages in a democracy -- that dissent is necesssary and honorable -- to be tolerated rather than suppressed; And that PEACEFUL, NON VIOLENT civil disobedience is a critical componant of the right to dissent -- long a part of our political tradition and democratic heritage.
If you are from a state other than California and want to start a similar campaign, please feel free to model it after this one. Please observe all copyrights by giving appropriate credit on your website and materials -- especially if you reproduce articles from th is site. Click here for a brief guide to starting your own campaign.
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