American Experience: Civil Disobedience

Civil disobedience is "a public, non-violent and conscientious breach of law undertaken with the aim of bringing about a change in laws or government policies" (Rawls, A Theory of Justice. 1999, p. 320)

Vietnam War

Draft Card Burning (1965)

Draft Card Mutilation Act of 1965
Up in Flames: Draft Card Burning in NYC (2:38)
In the tumult of the Vietnam War protests, Congress declared destroying draft cards a federal crime. Tom Cornell and David McReynolds took their chances with civil disobedience, and were among the organizers of a legendary draft card burning in Union Square. Protestors and counter-protestors clashed as draft cards went up in flames.