I have been arrested twice for causes, once during a sit-in on Hollywood and Vine the first protest after the war started in Iraq, and again later trying to help day laborers. When you shed your fear of the authorities and do what you think is right you feel a degree of liberation you hadn’t known before. I’ve committed many politically motivated crimes and the courage I found to risk myself for what I think is right is due to the fact that I took those first few stances before and have experienced jail before.
How to get arrested for a cause.
It made me
pain! 
"I was arrested for protesting a nuclear arms production facility when I was a lot younger."
How I did it: I just went to the protest and sat in the street with everyone else which prohibtited people from getting to work. We were all arrested and we ate a mystery meet sandwich in jail. Then we were arraigned and sentenced to time served and sent home.
Lessons & tips: I am on the fence as to whether this was worth it. I would not do it now, but it reflects my political views when I was in my early 20s. I think world peace is what we should work for, but I no longer believe that being unnarmed is the way to achieve it.
Resources: I think you need to be dedicated to a cause first then the opportunity will present itself. I honestly believe that there are better ways to serve a worth cause.
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
there are many ways to create (or try to create) change; taking part in NONviolent direct action leading to arrest is one way.
Drunk
2 years ago
I was TOO drunk in public when I was a under age of drinking. And that’s a crime?! Well well…
Twice
2 years ago
When you’re arrested with Clergy and a Nobel Peace Prize winner you can rest assured sure it’s for a good cause.
I mean,
2 years ago
just to make a point. There are some really stupid, ridiculous and just… wrong laws so that it would be worth it. This far I’ve only been questioned by the police for disturbing a racist party meeting, though.
But thinking about it I could see myself getting arrested for something really silly too. Even better on a first date. Talk about making a lasting impression! :)
Happy Phantom is just relaxing
Oh yeah
3 years ago
Send me to jail and call me your bitch. If this ever happens (I am such a goodie two shoes) I will make it sooo worth it. If you’ve ever seen Iron Jawwed Angels you know exactly what I mean.
NOT WORTH THE CAUSE
3 years ago
Well, not if you want a life. I got arrested in 2003 protesting the logging of Victorias Old growth Forrestations. When I look back now I’m lucky I wasnt charged with anything, I would have a police record, there goes my Scout Leading, many career prospects etc.
If you are passionate enough about a cause that you are willing to be arrested, perhaps try and stay this side of prison, where you can do your cause ALOT more good.
Activist Lawyer
3 years ago
Hells yeah…I need to get out there and start a riot, start a protest. But, lately, all I protest is getting thrown out of the pub (how’s that for a Crocodile Dundee reference?). So, basically, I need a right-winger to come to Vermont so I can get nuts. Better start scanning the newspapers.
I miss those days…but one involved disrupting the annual meeting of the local power utility that wanted to store nuclear waste at their facility near the Mississippi river. Got maced and roughed up a little for our efforts…actually went to the jail cell for that one!
Another was protesting landmines and one of the leading manufacturers of them in Minnesota. The international Campaign to End the use of Landmines ended up winning a Nobel Peace Prize for that one, so I like to think I had a small part in that.
Overall, I would strongly urge everyone to stand up for what they believe in. After all, if you don’t….who will?
sld1 Resting...at last.
Some months ago...
4 years ago
I read a report that a friend of mine was interviewed for re: his protest to the Vietnam war.
My friend is a Renaissance man to say the least. Thoughtful, deep, questioning, bright. Certainly a lover not a fighter. Raised Quaker by progressive parents seeking peace. He was arrested for laying down & blocking the path of a bus holding draftees.
We are a country rich with pacifists and patriots that protest the bad decisions made by our government. Let us learn from this history, their beliefs/convictions.
