What term describes the act of intentionally breaking a law thought to be immoral as a form of protest?

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The term that accurately describes the act of intentionally breaking a law thought to be immoral as a form of protest is civil disobedience. This concept is rooted in the belief that individuals have a moral responsibility to challenge unjust laws and practices. Civil disobedience often involves nonviolent resistance and public demonstrations to highlight the injustice of the law being violated. Historical figures such as Henry David Thoreau and Martin Luther King Jr. famously advocated for this approach, using it to galvanize support for various social causes.

In contrast, other terms listed have different implications. Peaceful resistance generally refers to the broader concept of nonviolent methods used to oppose something, which can include but is not limited to civil disobedience. Legal protest implies actions taken within the confines of the law, which doesn’t align with the idea of intentionally breaking a law. A social justice movement encompasses a wide range of activities and goals aimed at achieving equitable treatment for all, but does not specifically denote the act of breaking a law as a form of protest. Therefore, civil disobedience is the most precise and correct answer to the question posed.

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