Every person who ever thought he had a right to assert, and went boldly and asserted it, himself, or jointly with others that shared his convictions, was a direct actionist. Some thirty years ago I recall that the Salvation Army was vigorously practising direct action in the maintenance of the freedom of its members to speak, assemble, and pray. Over and over they were arrested, fined, and imprisoned; but they kept right on singing, praying, and marching, till they finally compelled their persecutors to let them alone.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Direct actionists are those who assert their rights boldly, such as the Salvation Army marching and praying despite arrests. They persisted until persecutors let them alone.
- In plain terms
- People who assert rights through action, like marching despite arrest, are direct actionists.
- What can you take from it?
- Persist in asserting rights through action until resistance stops.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is direct action justified?
- How do you assert rights?
Another view
Direct action can risk safety and legal consequences for participants.
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