Taking food out of trash cans and picking up clothes retailers dump behind their stores seem like perfectly harmless ways for the poor to gain resources and reduce waste, but even those acts are illegal in certain places. With no access to food and no money for clothing, it’s ridiculous to criminalize acts of survival. Even those who have cars but are living in poverty are faced with a mountain of restrictions. It can be extremely challenging to find places that allow overnight parking, and sleeping in a car is illegal in many places as well, with the risk of racking up exorbitant parking tickets. For individuals who don’t feel safe returning home, perhaps due to an abusive partner or parent, they should feel secure knowing that there is somewhere to go.
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Lastly, sometimes individuals need to break laws intentionally to fight against discrimination. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested five times during his life, fighting for equality. Susan B. Anthony was arrested for voting in New York in 1872. In 2020, over 17,000 people were arrested during Black Lives Matter protests following the [end] of George Floyd. In times of injustice, doing something illegal can be the best way to illustrate your strong morals.
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While we can be certain that morals will never be universally agreed upon, let's not forget that it's okay to question the laws that are in place. Sure, we agree to abide by them, but that does not require abandoning critical thinking. Let's all weigh the pros and cons of breaking some silly laws, and consider what our consciences think. I listened, and my conscience is saying that adding a quarter to someone else's parking meter will bring some good karma.
Have you ever been caught breaking a law by doing something you considered moral? We'd love to hear about it in the comments, and don't forget to upvote all of the responses you found most shocking.
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