Civil Disobedience

Protests and civil disobedience have played a historic role on university campuses, in bringing important and beneficial changes within society and in the development of our democracy. However, civil disobedience is not protected speech under the Constitution. The Constitution does not guarantee any right to engage in civil disobedience—which, by its very definition, involves the violation of laws or regulations—without incurring consequences. Civil disobedience may have a negative effect on the protected interests of others and may interfere with university business or threaten public safety or university assets in ways that require the university to act to protect those other interests.

What can the university bring disciplinary charges against me for?

The following is an illustrative list of violations of university policy:

What can the police charge me with?

The following is an illustrative list of violations of state and federal law:

Civil disobedience content was adopted from the ACLU of Northern California.