civil disobedience... = "terrorism"? or != "terrorism"

[much_ado]

thefateyouare poses an interesting question, based on a PETA member's recent Key-Liming of a canadian member of parliament's pro-sealing presentation

Comments

[fabricdragon]

in MY opinion the line between civil disobedience and..... not is when the person throws anything more than marshmellows, possibly even that.

civil disopbedience is basically NON violent, passive behaviro, with marching and speaches as the most aggressive part.

i dont think exceeding civil disobedience guidelines should = terrorism.

i think right now they throw the terrorism label at anything that "the state" or the police disagree with.

Where's my Soupy Sales icon when I need it?

[musicman]

Depends on the circumstances: one pie is a prank, or perhaps civil disobedience if done at the right time and place and there are cameras present. 10,000 pies launched simultaneously at 5000 fps and aimed at one person = terrorism. One banana cream pie becomes a murder weapon if the target is deadly allergic to bananas and goes into anaphylactic shock within moments of skin contact.

[liamstliam]

I know an MP from Newfoundland is calling for terrorism charges.

Me? I am glad she was charged with assault.

That's exactly what it was.

I hope they can also get her for some kind of charge of entering Canada with the intent of committing a crime.

[psychedelicbike]

I answered on thefateyouare's journal more completely, but . . .

By definition, civil disobedience is the conscious decision to not obey a law that one feels is unjust. The only way this act could be considered civil disobedience is if the minister had just passed a law outlawing hitting people in the face with pies.

Also, if you briefly skim the Criminal Code (where this "test" of terrorism is defined), it specifically excludes acts of advocacy or protest from being called terrorism, unless there is death or serious bodily harm, threat of serious injury, or serious risk to the health or safety of the public.

[lightcastle]

I have a play meeting to go to, but I think the difference does go with intent. Terrorism is meant to terrorize - to cause fear. A key lime pie is a protest, certainly. It is assault in a form, legally. (Much civil disobedience is against the law.)

I'd have a lot of trouble backing this as terrorism.

[crystal_diva]

+1

(and I am a Newfoundlander who fully supports the seal hunt, and who despises PETA).

[oldgrover]

Terrorism no, assault sure.