All over the world there are disputes about various issues. Only some people have the courage to stand up for what they believe in and defend it. These people include Malala Yousafzai, Nelson Mandela, Zahra Arabzada and the original peaceful protester, Mohandas Gandhi. These people have a God-given right to defend themselves. Often the people who defend themselves represent a crowd or a cause supported by many people. Defending yourself requires great strength and courage, especially if the opposing force is stronger. No matter the situation, it is a right and a responsibility to stand up for what you believe in. Throughout history many men and women have defended themselves and their causes. In the late 1800s and early 1900s a man named Mohandas Gandhi led a revolution for racial equality and India's independence from Great Britain. Creating the principle of non-violent protest, he introduced a method known as “non-cooperation”. “Non-cooperation” implied that the Indian people rejected everything the British government told them to do. Gandhi called for a campaign of non-cooperation with the British. Indian children were pulled out of school, Indians holding public office resigned, and Indians boycotted the legal system” (Edidin 18). This act caused obstruction to the British government and led to the diminution of social order. The Indians crowded the roads making them impassable and refused to react even when beaten. During the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King Jr. would continue these methods of civil disobedience. Non-cooperation was a successful non-violent method which ultimately contributed to India's freedom. Gandhi was the leader of many successful non-violent protests... middle of paper... and was finally released from prison he was elected president of South Africa and fought for peace among all. Mandela defended what he believed in and spent 27 years in prison for this. Because Mandela stood up for his beliefs and those of many others, and never gave up on his movement, South Africa is the racially equal country it is today. Some people have the desire, courage and drive to stand up for the things they believe in. it can happen in many ways and forms. Whether it's a violent, physical protest or something as simple as a sit-in, it spreads a message of intolerance against an opposing force. Spreading one's beliefs is the root of revolution and reform. Change is caused by people standing up for themselves or others. It is a God-given right to defend yourself. One person's power can transform into unparalleled power.