Civil Disobedience Event

Instructions

Identify and observe a local event that represents a non-violent act of civil disobedience that challenges and disrupts white supremacist and/or racist policy while increasing public awareness of injustice. Such events can include, but are not limited to:

• attending and/or observing a political rally of a candidate that actively speaks out against racism
• a speaking event from an expert in the field
• a protest
• a march
• an occupy tactic

You will 1) identify an event 2) observe the event, and 3) develop an oral and visual presentation of the event that connects your observations to the course materials.

PLEASE NOTE: This assignment does not require physical attendance at an event (see Blackboard for more detail). Virtual attendance is accepted. Students are encouraged to share event ideas with one another.

Oral and Visual Presentation

Create a combined oral and visual presentation that includes an analysis and reflection of the event that you observed. This can be a narrated PowerPoint, VoiceThread, Screencast-o-Matic, or a narrated video. The presentation should be no longer than 5 minutes and must minimally include the following:

1. Name, date, location, and time of the event.
2. Name of the event organizer(s).
3. Identification of the Issue and the Demands: What is the injustice that the event is responding to? What are the demands of the organizers and protestors?
4. A detailed description of the event’s activities:
5. Mechanics: What were the specific activities of the event? What supplies did the organizers or participants have (i.e., flags, ribbons, signs)? How did the event unfold over time? What do you think it took to organize the event? Think about creating buy-in, working with local officials, supplies, and documentation.
6. Senses: What did you see and hear? If you were there that day, what did the air smell like? Did the temperature feel cold or hot? What was your sense of personal space? Did you feel comfortable or uncomfortable?
7. Environment: What was the level of tension? Was there a police presence? What was the demographic make-up of the participants?
8. Include a reflection on your observation of the event. Do you see yourself participating in a similar event in the future?
9. If you were to organize an act of civil disobedience in the future, what would it be?

SW 624 – Civil Disobedience Event Planning Worksheet

Instructions:  Complete the following worksheet based on your plan to attend and observe a local act of civil disobedience.*

The table rows will expand as you fill in the information.