Importance of Civil Disobedience as a Tool for Political Change

On Tuesday 3rd of September, I joined protestors outside of Parliament, while the vote was happening in occupying and blocking Westminster Bridge. We chanted with a clear message to the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, and the MPs inside: “You shut down the Parliament, we shut down the streets”. In the end, Boris Johnson lost the vote.

Below is an essay from the political philosopher Howard Zinn, on the importance of Civil Disobedience, read by the actor Matt Damon.

“Change from below, the formulation of demands from the populace to end unacceptable injustice, supported by direct action, has played a far larger part in shaping British democracy than most constitutional lawyers, political commentators, historians or statesmen have ever cared to admit. Direct action in a democratic society is fundamentally an educational exercise. “

Tony Benn