1. Examining the Role of Protest in a Democracy
If a Tree Falls...
Examining the Role of Protest in a Democracy

2. Monday, October 3rd
In this lesson, we will examine the role of various forms of protest in a democracy. We will analyze the motivations and actions of those involved in a 1997 arson in Eugene, Oregon. Then, you will evaluate the effectiveness of this form of protest. Finally, you will describe how you would voice opposition to a specific event, policy or practice in your community.
Tuesday: Examine background of Selma and watch a small clip
Wednesday: Begin watching Selma

3. Focus Question Section-FQ #1
Brainstorm a list of ways that people can protest against an event, policy or practice.
As you contribute to the list, you should give an example of each form of protest from history, current events, or personal experience.

4. There are many ways one can protest: Let’s Sort Them
Letter writing
Protest march
Boycott
Attaching oneself physically to something
Picketing/demonstrating with signs while chanting slogans
Singing protest songs
Sit ins
Petitions
Attending and speaking up at governmental meetings
Art
Graffiti
Lawsuit
Conscientious objector
Wearing an armband or pin or T-shirt with a protest message
Voting
Letter to the editor
Blog rant
Political rally
Hunger strike
Setting oneself on fire
Riot
Revolution
Suicide bombing
Refusing to pay taxes
Property damage
Strike/lockout

5. Quick Discussion with a classmate
Would you refuse to participate in certain forms of protest? Why?
What role does protest play in a democracy?
Are any of these forms of protest unacceptable in democracy? Explain.
Quick Discussion with a classmate
Where’s the line of where you will go?

6. If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
We are going to watch and analyze a video clip of a protest that took place in Eugene, Oregon in 1997.
Take notes in your Writer’s Notebook (Notes Section) on what was important to the activists and what was important to the government/police.
eugene/

7. Questions for Us to Ponder
What forms of protest did you observe in the clip?
What do you think was important to the activists during this protest?
What do you think was important to the government/police?
What did activists do to escalate the conflict?
What did government/police do to escalate the conflict?
How might these actions affect future protests by environmental activists?
What are some other ways that this situation could have been resolved?

8. Learning About ELF
Some environmental activists who called themselves the Earth Liberation Front, or ELF, began using arson as a form of protest.
First, they burned down a ranger station to protest the fact that the U.S. Forest Service was allowing timber companies to cut down trees in national forests.
This arson attracted more environmental activists willing to commit crimes of protest, and the group went on to perform other similar actions.
Listen for why the ELF felt that these crimes were justified.

9. It’s Alright to be Passionate, But...
The perpetrators of this arsons were caught and faced life in prison for their crimes.
Many received reduced prison sentences in exchange for providing information about friends who committed the crimes with them.
Think and act carefully!

10. You Have to Answer to Others Too, But That Doesn’t Mean You Must Stay Silent
Think about the social injustice issues from last week that you found objectionable.
Outline what you believes to be the best way to voice opposition to it and explain why that would be the most effective approach.
One way that we will be speaking up is in doing Letters to the Next President 2.0 next week.

11. Did You Know That You Had to Take A Test to Vote if You Were Black in 1964?
The test in Louisiana was so hard that students from Harvard in 2014 couldn’t pass it...30 questions in 10 minutes.
In the 1960’s, if you missed questions, you couldn’t vote.
Alabama’s government changed the test close to times to ensure that African-Americans could not pass.
What would be an acceptable form of protest for those affected by this test?
Actual questions on the literacy test of AL
1. Are post offices operated by the state or federal government?
2. What is the name of the president of the United States in 1964?
3. To what national lawmaking body does each state send senators and representatives?
4. Dictate the Words From THE CONSTITUTION. Spelling, clarity of writing, and precise wording all are counted on if you pass of fall.

12. Why Selma? Examining Setting
Jamie Wallace: (reporter for the Selma Times Journal in 1965):
People ask me a lot of times why Selma was chosen. You know, Memphis would have been an excellent target or Jackson, Mississippi, or heaven forbid even Chicago. I think a lot of factors contributed, plus the fact that you had a sheriff and a circuit judge here who they knew would resist. And unfortunately that's what occurred.
C. T. Vivian: Now, there are a number of things about Selma that are most interesting. Number one was that they had had a political struggle going on directly related to voter enfranchisement over a period of years. Plus the fact that because of that struggle they had more people registered than any other county around. Half the population, a little over half actually, of the population was black. We did know about Sheriff Clark. But what we really were counting on was not just Sheriff Clark, which some of the sources give you, but the fact that that place was truly racist
After reading these quotes, examine the pictures around the room. Find visual proof of why Selma was the perfect city for this major historical event.