"Rosa Parks's singular act of disobedience launched a movement, " President Obama told today's crowd.

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The problem with parades disputes is that any initial act of disobedience rarely stays "civil" for very long.

BBC: Politicians criticised over 'slow response' to violence

In an act of stunning disobedience of a court order, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin has decided to ignore the temporary restraining order issued by a Wisconsin court and begin enforcement of the controversial Wisconsin union busting law.

FORBES: Walker Ignores Court Order! Begins Enforcement Of Anti-Collective Bargaining Law

Rather than recognize that the Palestinian voters' decision to elect Hamas to lead them in January 2006 constituted a rejection of the notion of a two-state solution on the part of Palestinian society, the Bush administration judged the move as an act of civil disobedience reminiscent, in Rice's view, of the US civil rights movement.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Bush's parting lesson

Though Rosa Parks was not the first to confront the injustice of segregation laws, her courageous act of civil disobedience sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott -- 381 days of peaceful protest when ordinary men, women, and children sent the extraordinary message that second-class citizenship was unacceptable.

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His lawyer disputes the charges, saying, at most, he engaged in an act of civil disobedience.

NPR: What Does Watada Case Mean for Military Law?

It might not be the best option but it should not be ruled out since it may start rolling the wheels for something bigger such as a general act of civil disobedience.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Civil disobedience as an option for Venezuela

This is why removing Chavez by non-electoral means is as much a legitimate act as acts of civil disobedience were forty years ago in the US South.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Civil disobedience, Chavez, and democracy