First Friday discussion on civil disobedience

DEXTER — Dexter Dover Area Towns in Transition (DDATT) plans on beginning the July 4 weekend by hosting its monthly First Friday public discussion on Friday, July 1 from 7-9 p.m. on “the role of civil disobedience to change unethical laws” at the Abbott Memorial Library.

Just because a law is legal does not mean it’s just or ethical. For instance it used to be legal to own another human being; it used to be legal to deny women to vote; and it used to be legal to deny civil rights to people because of their skin color. These laws were changed when enough people decided that they were not right and rose up to force the change.

It is currently legal for corporations to have more influence on the political system in the U.S. than individual citizens.— These corporate influences have dramatic effects on the environment, economy and self-determination.

Laws are created by people and can be changed by people once there’s enough will to make it happen. A human-made law is not forever. But when the legal deck is stacked against the individual in favor of the powerful, how can individuals make a difference?

Civil disobedience is an American response to such a condition. DDATT will briefly look at the history of this method of protest, then open the facilitated discussion to see how it may apply to our present day situations. All interested citizens are invited to come share their perspectives. Please call 277-4221 for more information.