Martin Firrell Quotes

How many of you are willing to go to jail for freedom?

Who are we to judge the people of Ecuador? We cannot condemn people when they take to the streets.

The protest is part of the American way of life.

Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.

Never Tire of Protesting

We have the freedom of speech. We are able to hold hands in protest and stand up for what we believe in and have people hear what you have to say.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.

In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.

During President George W. Bush's two terms, you couldn't drive far without seeing a particular bumper sticker: 'Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.'

There is a time when the operation of the machine becomes so odious, makes you so sick at heart, you can't take part. And you've got to put your body upon the gears and upon the wheels, upon the levers, upon all the apparatus, and you've got to make it stop.

Riot is the voice of the unheard.

Allow peaceful demonstrations and the next thing you know people will want a voice in running things.

Our birthright under the 1st Amendment is to foster the voices of dissent.

Opinion and protest are the life breath of democracy—even when it blows heavy.

We will have no political future if we are not arrested.

The fact that people gather with placards is abnormal. Other countries would not allow that. Our democracy is in many cases excessive.

I want every American to stand up for his rights, even if he has to sit down for them.

The Bill was talked out! Peaceful methods had failed…. As the year 1905 went on, the Liberal leaders counted upon early political office. Manchester – the Free Trade Hall – was again to be the scene of a rally at which the Liberal Party would utter their war cry for the General Election. Here was my chance! Now there should be an act the effect of which would remain, a protest not of word but of deed. Prison this time! Prison would mean a fact that could not fade from the record.

Democratic rights develop when the ruled demand them and have the means to prevail.

When the prison, stake or scaffold can no longer silence the voice of the protesting minority, progress moves on a step, but not until then.

Liberty has never come from the government. Liberty has always come from the subjects of it. The history of liberty is the history of resistance.

Anonymous pamphlets, leaflets, brochures and even books have played an important role in the progress of mankind. Persecuted groups and sects from time to time throughout history have been able to criticize the oppressive practices and laws either anonymously or not at all... It is plain that anonymity has sometimes been assumed for the most constructive purposes.