Civil disobedience involves breaking a law that is not accepted. Henry Thoreau, a transcendentalist, encouraged peaceful civil disobedience. The law must be something that many people find wrong and they must all act against it, whether it is not paying taxes or petitioning. Thoreau opposed the government and did not pay his taxes, thinking he had others to support him. He went to jail when no one else refused to pay. He thought it was a good thing and made him a good citizen. Others also participate in civil disobedience, but sometimes to more extreme measures. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay The Oregon militia standoff in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge is an example of civil disobedience taken to the extreme. The group wanted two things: 2 ranchers released from prison and the Malheur National Forest donated to locals. The 2 breeders committed arson and were sentenced to 5 years in prison, from which the militia wanted to get them out or simply lighten the sentences. They were armed with guns and bombs most of the time, if not most of the time. a habitat for an endangered species. Bundy refused and also refused to pay grazing fees. The militia searched Native American artifacts at the refuge, made a route through the sanctuary, and left feces around the refuge. They greatly disrespected the land on which they were “demonstrating”, the law and even the inhabitants. Henry Thoreau's idea of ​​civil disobedience is not the same as that of the militia. He believed that people should “let [their] lives be a counter-friction to stop the machine,” but the militia did this without peace, which is what Thoreau would have done (Thoreau 8). Rather than using weapons, he would use words or silent protests, such as not paying taxes for something that would benefit a cause he does not support. The militias would be more regressive in his eyes because they used force to try to get what they wanted. Thoreau's concept of civil disobedience does appear in the Oregon militia, but they did not do what he would support. The Oregon militia standoff could have played out in a much different, more respectful manner. Rather than having guns, bending the law and disregarding the shelter, they could have protested with signs and listened to the police if they got involved. Their approach was bad, so the result was just as bad. All 25 people involved were indicted because they took the tough, bad-guy route, creating more trouble than necessary. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Civil disobedience does not mean that there has to be violence because there can always be a passive way.