Resisting Injustices: Australia's Duty To Act

When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty is a quote that has been falsely attributed to Thomas Jefferson and Nelson Mandela. The saying is believed to have been popularized by social activists in Australia. It was used in a pamphlet published in Sydney in 1983 and has since been used by various Australian activist groups. The quote has also been printed on merchandise such as T-shirts, bumper stickers, and posters.

The quote is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson

The quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often associated with Thomas Jefferson, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. However, this attribution is incorrect, and the phrase originated from a different source. The misattribution to Jefferson is understandable, as the sentiment aligns with his well-known beliefs in liberty, equality, and the rights of citizens.

The actual source of the quote is unclear and remains a subject of debate. Some sources suggest that it may have been adapted from a similar statement made by Alexander Hamilton, another Founding Father who, along with Jefferson, shaped the early political landscape of the United States. Hamilton is quoted as saying, "When a man unconnected with any faction is a candidate, the people are the sole judges of his merit, and can elect him by a unanimous vote, if he be universally approved."

While the exact origin of the phrase remains obscure, its powerful message has resonated with people across the globe, including in Australia. The idea that resisting unjust laws is a moral imperative has been a driving force behind many social and political movements, both in history and in contemporary times. In Australia, this quote has been particularly relevant in the context of civil disobedience and activism surrounding issues such as Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and social justice.

Activists and scholars in Australia have drawn on this quote to emphasize the importance of standing up against unjust laws and policies. It reflects a belief in the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals, and the understanding that sometimes it is necessary to challenge established power structures to bring about positive change. By invoking this quote, activists assert their commitment to justice and their willingness to take action when they perceive that the law is failing to uphold the rights and freedoms of the people.

While the precise origin of the quote may be uncertain, its enduring impact is undeniable. The sentiment it expresses continues to inspire and motivate people to question authority, demand change, and strive for a more just and equitable society, not just in Australia but around the world. As such, the phrase remains a powerful tool in the arsenal of those seeking to bring about progressive social and political transformations.

In conclusion, while the quote "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" is often misattributed to Thomas Jefferson, its true origin is still a matter of discussion. Nevertheless, its powerful message has resonated across borders and generations, including in Australia, where it has been adopted by activists and scholars advocating for various causes.

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation calls the quote spurious

The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, which maintains his property at Monticello, has called the quote "spurious", and etymologists affirm that there is no evidence that Jefferson ever said these words. The first known attribution to Jefferson was in 2006, although the saying has been in circulation for decades. Etymologist Barry Popik believes that the phrase was actually popularized by social activists in Australia.

In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance stated:

> "The High Court of Australia's decision to keep refugee children imprisoned in detention centres makes it crystal clear that injustice has become law in this country. And when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty."

While Jefferson never uttered these exact words, the sentiment they express does align with some of his other statements. In 1787, Jefferson wrote:

> "The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere."

Additionally, some of the ideas conveyed in the Declaration of Independence echo the disputed quote. For instance, the Declaration of Independence states:

> "...when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government..."

The quote was used by a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance in 1993

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been falsely attributed to Thomas Jefferson. In reality, the quote was first used by a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance in 1993. The Socialist Alliance is an Australian socialist political party and activist organisation founded in 2001. It engages in grassroots activism and electoral politics, advocating for left-wing policies such as refugee rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights, anti-racism, and public ownership.

In 1993, a member of the Socialist Alliance used the phrase "when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" to criticise the High Court of Australia's decision to detain refugee children. The quote has since been popularised by social activists and has been incorrectly attributed to Thomas Jefferson, with the first known attribution occurring in 2006.

The Socialist Alliance was formed through the merger of several socialist organisations and activists, including the Democratic Socialist Perspective and the International Socialist Organisation. The party participates in electoral politics and grassroots campaigning, emphasising the importance of building successful grassroots campaigns to promote socialist ideals. They have been involved in various campaigns, including those related to trade unionism, education, environmentalism, refugee rights, and indigenous justice.

The party holds left-wing stances on numerous issues and proposes nationalising key sectors while supporting expanded public services and social justice initiatives. They are also active in promoting the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign against Israel and opposing US and Australian military interventions.

The Socialist Alliance has experienced mergers and withdrawals with other socialist organisations over the years, and its members continue to advocate for socialist politics through electoral participation and grassroots activism. They view electoral politics as a means to strengthen people's movements rather than merely representing them.

The saying was printed on T-shirts, bumper stickers and posters

The saying "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty" has been falsely attributed to Thomas Jefferson and Nelson Mandela. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has called the quote "spurious", and there is no evidence that either Jefferson or Mandela ever said it. The quote was first attributed to Jefferson in 2006, although it had been in circulation for decades.

The saying appears to have been popularised in Australia, where it was used by a member of the Socialist Alliance in 1993 in response to the High Court of Australia's decision to detain refugee children in immigration centres. The quote was also used in a 1983 pamphlet published in Sydney by Women's Action Against Global Violence, and has been used by The Green Left in Australia since at least 1992.

The saying has been printed on various merchandise, including T-shirts, bumper stickers, and posters. It has also been featured on flags, with white text on the Blue Eureka Flag, and has been adapted by various groups for their own purposes. For example, at a 1983 rally in Nuremberg, Petra Kelly, co-founder of the German Green Party, said: "When injustice becomes law, nonviolent resistance becomes duty!".

The quote was used by Free the Refugees Campaign’s Paul Benedek in Australia

The quote, "When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty," has been falsely attributed to Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. While the exact quote cannot be found in any of Jefferson's writings, it is believed to have been popularized by social activists in Australia.

In 1993, a member of Australia's Socialist Alliance used a similar phrase to criticize the High Court of Australia's decision to detain refugee children in immigration centres. The quote was also used by Free the Refugees Campaigns' Paul Benedek, who was also a member of the Democratic Socialist Party's (DSP) Western Sydney branch and a former member of the Refugee Action Collective (RAC).

The RAC, formed in 2000, included individual refugees, refugee rights supporters, and members of various organizations such as the International Federation of Iraqi/Iranian Refugees (IFIR), Amnesty International, and the DSP. One of the main demands of the RAC was for the Australian government to end its racist treatment of refugees, abolish mandatory detention, and grant refugees full rights.

Benedek used the quote to emphasize the need for resistance when faced with unjust laws. He and other members of the DSP advocated for maintaining political independence from major parties, even if it meant facing challenges such as exclusion from government funding and censorship by the establishment media. They believed in the power of organizing openly and democratically, involving more people to create lasting change.

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