About the Book
In this indispensable book, distinguished activist lawyer Francis A. Boyle sounds an impassioned clarion call to citizen action against Bush administration policies, both domestic and international. Especially since the Reagan Administration, hundreds of thousands of Americans have used non-violent civil resistance to protest against elements of U.S. policy that violate basic principles of international law, the United States Constitution, and human rights. Such citizen protests have led to an unprecedented number of arrests and prosecutions by federal, state, and local governments around the country. Boyle, who has spent his career advising and defending civil resisters, explores how international law can be used to question the legality of specific U.S. government foreign and domestic policies. He focuses especially on the aftermath of 9/11 and the implications of the war on Afghanistan, the war on terrorism, the war on Iraq, the doctrine of preventive warfare, and the domestic abridgement of civil rights.
Written for concerned citizens, activists, NGOs, civil resisters, their supporters, and their lawyers, Protesting Power provides the best legal and constitutional arguments to support and defend civil resistance activities. Including a number of compelling excerpts from his own trial appearances as an expert witness and as counsel, the author offers inspirational and practical advice for protesters who find themselves in court. This invaluable book stands alone as the only guide available on how to use international law, constitutional law, and the laws of war to defend peaceful non-violent protesters against governmental policies that are illegal and criminal.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Right of Civil Resistance to Prevent State Crimes
Chapter 2: Defending Civil Resisters: Philosophy, Strategy, and Tactics
Chapter 3: Trident II on Trial
Chapter 4: President George H. W. Bush's War against Iraq on Trial
Chapter 5: President Clinton's Invasion of Haiti on Trial
Chapter 6: President George W. Bush's War against Iraq on Trial
Conclusion
About the Author :
Francis A. Boyle is professor of law at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. A Harvard law graduate, for the past twenty years he has been involved as lawyer and/or witness in the major cases challenging U.S. defense policy, notably nuclear issues, and, in recent years, preemptive wars. He speaks and writes regularly on civil resistance and antiwar issues.
Review :
Readers will find [it] most riveting . . . well written and fully documented book. It is filled with valuable lessons for all activists.
Boyle's book is powerful, noble and compelling, and he states its purpose up front: Today, a 'monumental struggle [is being waged] for the heart and soul of [America] and the future of the world.' . . . The book provides hope and ammunition. It's an urgent call to action and demonstrates that 'civil resistance [is] solidly grounded in international law, human rights, and the US Constitution.' . . . Read it and act. Apathy isn't an option.
In this expert and lucid manual, international lawyer Francis Boyle focuses his attention on civil resistance, a category that he distinguishes sharply from civil disobedience. Civil resistance, he persuasively argues, is a 'basic right' of American citizens under international and domestic law, as 'it is the civil resisters who are the sheriffs, and the U.S. government officials committing state crimes are the outlaws.' The historical and legal analysis provides information and understanding of inestimable value to all citizens who care about their country.
Francis Boyle, who has distinguished himself again and again as a fierce and brilliant defender of international law and human rights, now takes his mission one step further. He lays out a comprehensive argument in defense of citizens who commit civil resistance to protest illegal governmental aggressions and war crimes. He does so with impeccable research, stylistic elegance, and devastating evidence. This is an invaluable and powerful handbook for citizens who dare to challenge our war-makers.
If you believe Dante may be right, that 'the hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of moral crisis, remain neutral,' you need this book. If you are concerned that our country lives by its Constitution and laws, its often-proclaimed principles, you too should read this book. If you cherish freedom, here is your chance to learn how much you have. A person ignorant of her rights has little advantage over those who have none.
Professor Boyle has been a true champion of the U.S. Constitution and of the rule of law. . . . In a way, his highly informative book, Protesting Power: War, Resistance, and Law, is simply an extension of his love of justice and his deep concern for our Republic, which continues to drift dangerously towards the creation of a police state. I say: Read Professor Boyle's well written and fully documented book. It is filled with valuable lessons for all activists.
Francis Boyle has, once again, given us a valuable lesson in current history and invaluable insight into the role that lawyers must now play in defending human rights. He reminds us also that the significant cases are not 'about the lawyers.' We lawyers are called upon to give voice to the struggles and aspirations of others. This book will help us learn to play that role.
