Active Citizenship and Social Change · Term 4

Protest and Civil Disobedience

Examining the history and effectiveness of protest as a tool for achieving social and political change.

About This Topic

Protest and civil disobedience have been powerful drivers of social and political change throughout Australian history. In Year 10, students examine the role of active citizenship in a democracy, analyzing how individuals and groups use public demonstrations to signal dissent and demand reform. This topic explores the legal right to protest and the point at which 'civil disobedience', the intentional breaking of a law for a moral reason, becomes a challenge to the rule of law.

Students investigate historical examples, such as the 1965 Freedom Ride, the Franklin River protests, and modern climate strikes. This study connects to ACARA's focus on the role of citizens in a democracy and the methods used to influence government. To understand the effectiveness of these methods, students benefit from 'Campaign Analysis' where they evaluate why some protests lead to law changes while others do not.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the historical impact of specific protest movements on Australian legislation and social attitudes.
• Evaluate the ethical considerations and potential consequences of engaging in civil disobedience within a democratic framework.
• Compare and contrast the strategies employed by different protest groups in achieving their objectives.
• Design a policy proposal for managing public demonstrations that balances citizen rights with public order.
• Critique the effectiveness of various protest tactics, considering factors such as media coverage and public opinion.

Before You Start

Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of what it means to be a citizen in a democracy, including their rights and responsibilities, before examining how citizens exercise these rights through protest.

The Australian Legal System

Why: Understanding the basics of Australian law and the concept of the rule of law is essential for analyzing the boundaries between state authority and citizen protest, and the implications of civil disobedience.

Key Vocabulary

Civil Disobedience	The active, professed refusal to obey certain laws, demands, or commands of a government, undertaken as a form of protest. It is often based on moral or political objections.
Rule of Law	The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. It ensures that no one is above the law.
Dissent	The expression of opinions that are at variance with official policy or established beliefs. It is a fundamental aspect of democratic societies.
Social Movement	A large, sometimes informal, grouping of individuals or organizations which focuses on specific political or social issues. They work towards bringing about or resisting change.
Public Demonstration	An organized event where people gather in public to express their views on a particular issue. This can include marches, rallies, and protests.

Active Learning Ideas

Gallery Walk: Protests That Changed Australia

Stations feature different historical protests (e.g., Wave Hill Walk-off, Green Bans). Students identify the goal, the method used, and whether the protest was 'successful' in changing the law or public opinion.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Formal Debate: The Right to Disrupt

Students debate: 'Should protesters be allowed to block major roads to draw attention to their cause?' They must balance the right to protest against the rights of other citizens to go about their daily lives.

⏱ 50 min·Whole Class

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Think-Pair-Share: What is 'Civil' Disobedience?

Students brainstorm the difference between a 'protest' and 'civil disobedience.' They discuss whether it is ever okay to break the law to change the law, using examples like Rosa Parks or Eddie Mabo.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Environmental activists, such as those involved with Extinction Rebellion, have organized large-scale protests and acts of civil disobedience to pressure governments on climate change policy. Their actions often lead to public debate and legal challenges.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) frequently organizes rallies and industrial action to advocate for workers' rights and better wages. These demonstrations can influence government policy and corporate practices.

Indigenous rights advocates have historically used protest, including marches and occupations, to highlight issues of land rights, justice, and reconciliation. These efforts have shaped national conversations and led to legislative changes.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Protest is only for people who can't vote.

What to Teach Instead

Protest is a vital tool for all citizens to keep issues on the political agenda between elections. It is a form of 'active citizenship' that complements the voting process. Discussing the 'feedback loop' between the streets and Parliament can clarify this.

Common Misconception

All protests are illegal if they don't have a permit.

What to Teach Instead

In many Australian states, you don't strictly need a 'permit' to protest, but having a 'notified' protest gives you certain legal protections. The law varies by state, and analyzing these 'Summary Offences' acts can be an eye-opening activity for students.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'When, if ever, is it justifiable for citizens to break the law to protest?' Facilitate a class debate, asking students to support their arguments with historical examples and ethical reasoning. Encourage them to consider the potential consequences for both the protestors and society.

Quick Check

Provide students with short case studies of historical Australian protests (e.g., the Eureka Stockade, anti-Vietnam War protests). Ask them to identify the goals of the protestors, the methods used, and one specific outcome or impact of the protest. This checks their ability to analyze protest effectiveness.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to write down one key difference between a legal protest and an act of civil disobedience. Then, have them briefly explain one potential challenge faced by authorities when managing a large public demonstration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a right to protest in the Australian Constitution?

Not explicitly. However, the High Court's 'implied freedom of political communication' provides some protection for peaceful protest, as it is considered a way for citizens to communicate their views to the government.

What makes a protest 'effective'?

Effectiveness can be measured by media coverage, changes in public opinion, or direct policy shifts. Often, the most effective protests are those that build a broad coalition of support and offer a clear alternative to the current law.

What are the risks of civil disobedience?

By definition, civil disobedience involves breaking a law, which means participants risk arrest, fines, or imprisonment. The 'civil' part of the term implies that the person accepts these legal consequences to highlight the perceived injustice of the law.

How can active learning help students understand protest?

Active learning through 'Strategy Simulations' allows students to plan a hypothetical protest. By having to choose their methods (e.g., a petition vs. a sit-in) and predict the government's response, they learn that protest is a strategic choice. This helps them see activists not just as 'angry people' but as citizens using a specific set of political tools.